Which practice is likely to increase students' vocabulary development?

Using a diverse array of texts and contexts in teaching is indeed a highly effective practice for vocabulary development. This approach exposes students to a wide range of vocabulary in different contexts, allowing them to encounter words in varied situations, which helps deepen their understanding and retention of those terms.

When students engage with diverse texts, they are more likely to come across unfamiliar words and phrases, encouraging curiosity and inquiry. This exposure not only broadens their vocabulary but also enhances their ability to make connections between words and their meanings depending on context. Diverse materials can include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and informational texts, each offering unique vocabulary and language structures that enrich students' linguistic repertoire.

In contrast, focusing on grammatical errors, basic vocabulary lists, or limiting reading to a specific grade level does not promote the kind of rich vocabulary development that originates from varied and meaningful encounters with language. Such approaches can constrain students' exposure to the broader language context and limit their overall vocabulary growth.