Dr Freddy Hiebert revolutionises vocabulary instruction by rejecting traditional lists and flashcards in favour of understanding English's systematic nature. She reveals that 95% of texts derive from 2,500 morphological families, where grasping one word unlocks related terms. Using her "bratwurst in a baguette with yogurt" metaphor, she explains English's Germanic, French, and Greek influences. Hiebert champions semantic maps over lists, demonstrating how students build meaningful word connections. She reassures teachers that many word families require no explicit instruction, focusing instead on systematic understanding.
Part One: Foundations
Dr Freddy Hiebert, President and CEO of Text Project and literacy researcher at UC Santa Cruz, opens her conversation with Australian literacy consultants Sharon and Phil by immediately challenging conventional vocabulary instruction. She declares that lists and flashcards simply don't work, despite being the go-to methods in countless classrooms worldwide.
Hiebert introduces her groundbreaking research revealing that 95% of English texts derive from just 2,500 morphological families—interconnected word systems where understanding one member unlocks numerous related words. She demonstrates how "help" generates "helper," "helpful," "unhelpful," and "helpless," transforming vocabulary learning from rote memorisation into systematic understanding that empowers students as independent word solvers.
The conversation explores English's fascinating linguistic complexity through Hiebert's memorable culinary metaphor: a German bratwurst in a French baguette with Greek yogurt sprinkled on top represents how English draws from multiple traditions. This understanding helps students recognise why compound words from Anglo-Saxon roots, academic phrases from French influences, and consistent meaning patterns from Greek elements function differently across texts.
Hiebert champions semantic maps as powerful alternatives to traditional lists, describing how students build visual connections between related concepts. She illustrates how mapping cats' movements, colours, and features creates meaningful vocabulary networks that expand naturally as students encounter different texts about the same topic.
The discussion addresses practical concerns when Hiebert explains that approximately 40-50% of the 2,500 word families never actually require explicit teaching—they're straightforward enough for students to acquire through natural exposure. This revelation reassures teachers worried about covering overwhelming amounts of content.
Hiebert emphasises fundamental principles students should understand by third grade: recognising that English draws from different language systems, understanding that certain words perform most of the work in English, and knowing that narrative and informational texts present different vocabulary challenges. These insights prepare students to approach any text with systematic thinking rather than anxiety about unknown words.
TEXT PROJECT WEBSITE BY FREDDY HIEBERT
SPECIFIC RESOURCES FROM FREDDY HIEBERT, AS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST
1. AI Semantic Map Examples
2. ILA Website Presentation
3. AI Prompt Examples
4. 'The Story of English' Picture
5. Etymology Resources
6. Text Models Examples
JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!
FURTHER INFORMATION
Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube
Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au