The present study aims at introducing some valid and reliable criteria for selecting basic English words such as frequency, range and dispersion. By carrying out a small pilot study the effects of the application order of those vocabulary selection criteria on developing an English word family list was examined. In addition, the program Familizer which could be used for making word lists was also introduced. It is the program that was used for developing a basic English word list for the National English Ability Test (NEAT) which would replace the English language section of the College Scholastic Ability Test. The program could contribute to popularizing the skills of making word family lists and developing graded teaching and learning materials. The article concludes with some suggestions and implications for Korean language education.