What is a crucial outcome of explicit instruction in foundational reading skills?

The crucial outcome of explicit instruction in foundational reading skills is improved vocabulary recognition. Explicit instruction focuses on teaching specific skills and knowledge in a clear and structured manner, which is essential for developing a solid understanding of language. This approach helps learners grasp the meanings of words, how they are used in different contexts, and the relationships between words, thereby enhancing their overall vocabulary.

When students receive direct instruction in phonics, word structure, and context clues, they become more adept at recognizing words and their meanings. This solid foundation is particularly beneficial for individuals with dyslexia, as they often struggle with the automatic recognition of words and may require more structured support to expand their vocabulary effectively.

In contrast, while increased reading speed, better retention of stories, and the ability to guess unfamiliar words might be beneficial in other contexts, they do not specifically highlight the direct impact of explicit foundational instruction. Improved vocabulary recognition is a more immediate and factual result of such instructional methods.