Although the importance of vocabulary training in English speaking countries is well recognized and has been extensively studied, the same is not true for Spanish–few evidence based vocabulary studies for Spanish-speaking children have been reported. Here, two rich oral vocabulary training programs (definition and context), based on literature about vocabulary instruction for English-speaking children, were developed and applied in a sample of 100 Spanish elementary school third-graders recruited from areas of predominantly low socio-economic status (SES). Compared to an alternative read-aloud method which served as the control, both explicit methods were more effective in teaching word meanings when assessed immediately after the intervention. Nevertheless, five months later, only the definition group continued to demonstrate significant vocabulary knowledge gains. The definition method was more effective in specifically teaching children word meanings and, more broadly, in helping children organize and express knowledge of words. We recommend the explicit and rich vocabulary instruction as a means to fostering vocabulary knowledge in low SES children.

El término intervención basada en evidencia se está utilizando cada vez más en la investigación educativa. La necesidad de llevar a cabo programas de intervención basados en evidencia científica se fundamenta en que la probabilidad de lograr resultados positivos al implementar dichos programas es mayor. Sin embargo, la brecha entre la investigación y la práctica se mantiene en los países de habla hispana. Utilizando ejemplos del área de investigación en lectura, este trabajo tiene como objetivo promover la reflexión y la discusión sobre la relación entre la evidencia científica y la práctica educativa, particularmente en el contexto de los países hispanohablantes. Por un lado, existe la importancia de generar evidencia a través del diseño de estudios de alta calidad basados ​​tanto en sólidos antecedentes teóricos como en altos estándares metodológicos. Por otro lado, existe el valor de la experiencia profesional de los profesores en realidades escolares muy diversas. ¿Cómo podemos construir puentes para conectar estas dos partes indispensables y atender mejor a las poblaciones de interés? Defendemos la necesidad de desarrollar un sistema de colaboración sostenible entre la comunidad científica y la educativa que permita el intercambio continuo y un apoyo recíproco mediante relaciones más estables. The term evidence-based intervention has been increasingly used in educational research. Calls for the use of intervention programs based on supportive empirical evidence rely in the recognition that the likelihood of achieving positive results when implementing such programs increases. Nevertheless, the gap between research and practice remains also in Spanish-speaking countries. Using examples from the area of reading research, this work aims at promoting the reflection and discussion about the relationship between scientific evidence and school practice, particularly in the context of Spanish-speaking countries. On the one side, there is the importance of generating evidence through the design of high-quality studies based on both sound theoretical background and high methodological standards. On the other side, there is the value of professional experience gathered by the teachers in very diverse school realities. How can we build a bridge to connect these two indispensable parts in order to be able to better serve the populations of interest? We defend the need of developing a sustainable collaborative system between the research community and the educational centers that enables continuous exchange and reciprocal support in longer lasting relationships.