Spotlight #1 The Role of Language in Reading: From Word Meaning to Inference with Amy Elleman, Ph.D.

The Role of Language in Reading: From Word Meaning to Inference-Making

This first webinar in the 2026 Spotlight on Structured Literacy series will explore how language processes such as vocabulary, syntax, and inference-making work together to support listening and reading comprehension. We will review key research in comprehension and discuss instructional practices that help students connect ideas, fill in gaps, and construct meaning across contexts. Participants will gain research-based insights and classroom-ready strategies for fostering language development and strengthening comprehension skills across grade levels.

Amy M. Elleman, Ph.D., is a Professor of Literacy Studies and Director of the Literacy Studies Ph.D. Program at Middle Tennessee State University. She earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland in Heidelberg, Germany, and her Ph.D. in Special Education from Vanderbilt University. Her research focuses on key factors in reading comprehension including vocabulary, inference generation, and knowledge acquisition. She is an expert in meta-analysis and evaluating reading comprehension interventions. As a former teacher and administrator, she is dedicated to translating literacy research into practical tools for educators.