Realistic vocabulary benchmarks by age, from real classroom assessments.
By the end of a first year, I'd expect basic colors, numbers 1-10, family members, and simple action words like run, jump, eat, sleep — roughly 40-80 recognized words, more receptive (understanding) than expressive (speaking) at this age.
With 2+ years of consistent lessons, a 5-year-old should recognize 150-300+ words across themes (animals, food, school, community helpers), use short 3-4 word sentences, and answer simple questions like "What's your name?" or "How old are you?"
Enough to follow basic classroom instructions and recognize core vocabulary — not fluency. Kindergarten teachers generally want to see comprehension of simple directions and comfort with the alphabet and numbers, not full conversation.
ESL programs teach English as a distinct subject alongside the child's home language; immersion programs conduct most/all instruction in English. Immersion produces faster fluency but requires more hours per week — ESL is more realistic for most families' schedules.
Very normal — and actually a good sign. Receptive vocabulary (understanding) always develops before expressive vocabulary (speaking). A child who understands "sit down," "open your book," and "point to the red one" without producing those words is building the foundation, not falling behind. Speaking comes after understanding is secure, not before.
Show them before and after. Record a 30-second vocabulary check at the start of a unit — child pointing to flashcards, saying words — and another at the end. Parents who see their own child go from silence to six correct words in four weeks stop asking "is this working?" entirely. The evidence is the answer.
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