Learning to read provides a foundation for future learning in all areas of study. But reading is more than just sounding out words. Students need to understand what those words mean. And experts say students need to have a working knowledge of 10,000 words. Now, a new vocabulary program claims to greatly speed up a child's understanding of language. The program is called Mrs Wordsmith. The teaching system uses pictures and short word exercises to improve a student’s performance on tests. Sofia Fenichell created the system. She worked with researchers from Cambridge University in Britain to develop the list of words. "We call it the 10,000 word journey and we believe that children can master these words from the age of seven to 17, and then not have to cram. And these words are typically the words they find in the books they read, in newspapers, in adult conversation. We're accelerating their ability to communicate, but also to improve their reading and writing age."