Boosting Multilingual Learners’ Test Scores with Tier 2 Vocabulary
- Kyle Larson
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 4
If you could focus on just one area to boost your multilingual learners’ test scores this year, it should be Tier 2 vocabulary.
These are high-utility academic words—analyze, contrast, establish, infer—that show up in every subject area. They’re the “middle tier” between basic conversational words (Tier 1) and content-specific terms (Tier 3). Often, they are the hidden key to unlocking test success.
The problem? Many districts unintentionally put Tier 2 vocabulary on the back burner in favor of grammar drills or niche content vocabulary. That’s a mistake. If students don’t understand the questions on their exams, it doesn’t matter how well they know the content.
Why Tier 2 Vocabulary Packs a Punch with Multilingual Learners
Appears across all standardized tests — reading, science, social studies, and even math word problems.
Direct link to comprehension — If a multilingual learner doesn’t know what “summarize” means, they can’t follow the instructions.
Accelerates growth in multiple domains — Gains in reading and writing often come faster once these words are mastered.
In other words, Tier 2 vocabulary is the multiplier effect in your language program.
The Hidden Gaps in Vocabulary Learning
Even students with strong conversational English often fall short in Tier 2 vocabulary. Why does this happen?
It’s rarely taught explicitly after elementary school.
Teachers assume students “pick it up” through exposure, which often doesn’t happen.
When tested, many multilingual learners show partial understanding—enough to pass in conversation but not in academic tasks.
In high school classrooms, research such as Project ACCESS in Texas reveals that explicit academic vocabulary strategies—not passive exposure—actively support bilingual students’ mastery of Tier 2 STEM terms.
The CORE Cycle for Tier 2 Vocabulary Mastery
(Choose, Offer, Reinforce, Evaluate)
1. Identify Priority Words (Choose)
Start with your state test exemplars, curriculum guides, and teacher input from multiple content areas.
Limit your list to 20–30 high-utility Tier 2 words per semester. This allows students to encounter each word repeatedly and in varied contexts (Beck, McKeown, & Kucan, 2013; Coxhead, 2000).
Focus on words that appear across disciplines (e.g., analyze, contrast, interpret).
Sources:
Beck, I. L., McKeown, M. G., & Kucan, L. (2013). Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction. Guilford Press.
Coxhead, A. (2000). A New Academic Word List. TESOL Quarterly, 34(2), 213–238.
2. Integrate Daily Exposure (Offer)
Make Tier 2 words part of everyday classroom routines:
Use them in warm-ups, exit tickets, and quick speaking prompts.
Provide multiple exposures in different modalities. Students should hear, read, write, and say each word repeatedly (Nation, 2013).
Sources:
Nation, I. S. P. (2013). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge University Press.
Marzano, R. J. (2004). Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement. ASCD.
3. Reinforce in Multiple Contexts (Reinforce)
Collaborate with content-area teachers so target words show up in ELA, science, social studies, and math.
Cross-curricular repetition cements meaning and helps students transfer understanding (Carlo et al., 2004).
Sources:
Carlo, M. S., August, D., & Snow, C. E. (2004). Closing the Gap: Addressing the Vocabulary Needs of English-Language Learners in Bilingual and Mainstream Classrooms.
Graves, M. F. (2006). The Vocabulary Book: Learning and Instruction. Teachers College Press.
4. Track and Celebrate Mastery (Evaluate)
Use formative checks to track correct usage in speaking and writing.
Make progress visible through word walls, digital trackers, and celebration boards.
Recognition reinforces engagement and retention (Stahl & Nagy, 2006).
Sources:
Stahl, S. A., & Nagy, W. E. (2006). Teaching Word Meanings. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Marzano, R. J. (2004). Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement. ASCD.
Measuring What Matters in Vocabulary Mastery
Don’t just quiz for definitions. Track how often students correctly use Tier 2 words in speaking and writing. Look for:
Accuracy — Correct meaning in context.
Variety — Using the word across different topics and subjects.
Complexity — Integrating words into longer, more complex sentences.
Final Word on Vocabulary Mastery
Tier 2 vocabulary is the bridge between knowing and showing what you know. If your multilingual learners can understand the instructions, the question stems, and the academic conversations happening around them, they can finally demonstrate the depth of what they’ve learned.
Ready to see Tier 2 vocabulary mastery move your test scores?
Check out this list of tier 2 words, organized by frequency, and aligned with the CORE cycle.