The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of vocabulary instruction in learning to read and teachers\' role in delivering effective vocabulary instruction. Because what teachers understand and do in the classroom influences students\' academic performance, teachers\' understanding about vocabulary instruction and their role in creating an instructional environment that is conducive to vocabulary development is of great importance. In this paper, the author introduces effective vocabulary instruction approaches suggested by reading research and discusses what teachers need to know in order to incorporate them into reading instruction.
Key words : reading, vocabulary instruction, teachers\' instructional role