The effects of nonce words, frequency, contextual richness, and L2 vocabulary knowledge on the incidental acquisition of vocabulary through reading: more than a replication of Zahar et al. (2001) & Tekmen and Daloğlu (2006)

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Lee Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Short Story ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Gain Scores ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Language Classes ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

AbstractResearchers investigating the incidental acquisition of vocabulary through reading must select either real or nonce words as targets. To determine whether this decision affects acquisition, English as a foreign language classes (English experimental n=80; nonce experimental n=89) were given a 2,381-token short story containing either 26 target English or nonce words. Analysis of the gain scores on an unexpected meaning recognition assessment for the two experimental and two control groups (English control n=73; nonce control n=114) found a statistically significant difference in acquisition. The large effect size found indicates the choice to use nonce targets has a clear effect on acquisition outcomes. Additional analysis also indicated the contextual richness of the words surrounding targets was subordinate to frequency of exposure in terms of encouraging incidental acquisition. Furthermore, learners’ L2 vocabulary size had only a negligible effect on acquisition outcomes. Further analyses, implications, and consequences in regard to research practices are discussed.

A study of Indonesian university students’ vocabulary mastery with vocabulary level test

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-195
Author(s):  
Rully Raslina Novianti
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Instruction

In investigating learners’ vocabulary mastery, some researchers focused their studies on either receptive or productive vocabulary mastery. This study examines university students’ vocabulary knowledge in Indonesia by using the Vocabulary Level Test (VLT). It also compares the receptive vocabulary size of students who obtained extra hours of English instruction with those who had not. Furthermore, this study also identifies their strategies in enhancing their vocabulary mastery. The 2000-word frequency-band from the receptive version of the VLT and questionnaire are used for data collection. The results show that their receptive vocabulary scores are lower than 2000 words and no significant difference was found between the students who had extra hours of English instruction and those who had not. Then it can be stated that even after they had gained extra hours of English instruction, their average vocabulary knowledge was still lower than the 1000 estimated word level in the VLT. Keywords: vocabulary mastery, Vocabulary Level Test (VLT), English as a Foreign Language (EFL), undergraduate students.  

scholarly journals A study of Indonesian university students’ vocabulary mastery with vocabulary level test

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rully Raslina Novianti
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Instruction

In investigating learners’ vocabulary mastery, some researchers focused their studies on either receptive or productive vocabulary mastery. This study examines university students’ vocabulary knowledge in Indonesia by using the Vocabulary Level Test (VLT). It also compares the receptive vocabulary size of students who obtained extra hours of English instruction with those who had not. Furthermore, this study also identifies their strategies in enhancing their vocabulary mastery. The 2000-word frequency-band from the receptive version of the VLT and questionnaire are used for data collection. The results show that their receptive vocabulary scores are lower than 2000 words and no significant difference was found between the students who had extra hours of English instruction and those who had not. Then it can be stated that even after they had gained extra hours of English instruction, their average vocabulary knowledge was still lower than the 1000 estimated word level in the VLT.Keywords: vocabulary mastery, Vocabulary Level Test (VLT), English as a Foreign Language (EFL), undergraduate students

The relationship between three measures of L2 vocabulary knowledge and L2 listening and reading

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyu Cheng ◽  
Joshua Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Reading Scores ◽  
Knowledge Test ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Chinese Learners ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
L2 Vocabulary ◽  
The Relationship

This study explores the constructs that underpin three different measures of vocabulary knowledge and investigates the degree to which these three measures correlate with, and are able to predict, measures of second language (L2) listening and reading. Word frequency structured vocabulary tests tapping receptive/orthographic (RecOrth) vocabulary knowledge, productive/orthographic (ProOrth) vocabulary knowledge and productive/phonological (ProPhon) vocabulary knowledge and tests measuring L2 listening and L2 reading were administered to 250 tertiary-level Chinese learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). Results showed that ProPhon vocabulary knowledge correlated most strongly with L2 listening ( r = .71) and ProOrth vocabulary knowledge correlated most strongly with L2 reading ( r = .57). Factor analysis indicated that all subcomponents of the ProPhon vocabulary knowledge test loaded onto one factor and those of the RecOrth and ProOrth vocabulary knowledge tests loaded onto another. Regression modelling showed that ProPhon vocabulary knowledge explained 51% of the variance in L2 listening scores and that ProOrth vocabulary knowledge explained 33% of the variance in the L2 reading scores. Discussion addresses the varying importance of different dimensions of vocabulary knowledge in L2 listening and reading.

L2 vocabulary knowledge in and out of context

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilde van Zeeland
Keyword(s):  
Word Meaning ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
Contextual Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Word Forms ◽  
Isolated Word ◽  
L2 Vocabulary ◽  
Esl Learners ◽  
Shed Light

The vast majority of second language (L2) vocabulary research focuses on learners’ knowledge of isolated word forms. However, it is unclear to what extent this knowledge can be used as an indicator of knowledge in context (i.e. reading and listening). This study aims to shed light on this issue by comparing ESL learners’ knowledge of the meaning of isolated words (‘decontextual knowledge’) with their knowledge of the same words in both reading and listening (‘contextual knowledge’). Decontextual knowledge was measured in a free recall interview. Contextual knowledge was measured through a task in which participants paraphrased sentences containing the target items from both a written and spoken narrative. Results showed that learners’ decontextual and contextual knowledge agreed in 65% of the cases. This indicates a considerable gap between the two, and emphasises that scores on decontextualised vocabulary test should not be used as predictors of learners’ vocabulary knowledge in context. In addition, learners demonstrated significantly better knowledge of word meaning in the reading than listening mode, which may be due to processing difficulties in listening as well as better inferencing opportunities in reading. Two additional factors found to affect both decontextual and contextual knowledge are word frequency and learners’ vocabulary size.

scholarly journals Exploring the relationships between L2 vocabulary knowledge, lexical segmentation, and L2 listening comprehension

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 723-749
Author(s):  
Kriss Lange ◽  
Joshua Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Lexical Segmentation ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
Japanese Learners ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

The capacity to perceive and meaningfully process foreign or second language (L2) words from the aural modality is a fundamentally important aspect of successful L2 listening. Despite this, the relationships between L2 listening and learners’ capacity to process aural input at the lexical level has received relatively little research focus. This study explores the relationships between measures of aural vocabulary, lexical segmentation and two measures of L2 listening comprehension (i.e., TOEIC & Eiken Pre-2) among a cohort of 130 tertiary level English as a foreign language (EFL) Japanese learners. Multiple regression modelling indicated that in combination, aural knowledge of vocabulary at the first 1,000-word level and lexical segmentation ability could predict 34% and 38% of total variance observed in TOEIC listening and Eiken Pre-2 listening scores respectively. The findings are used to provide some preliminary recommendations for building the capacity of EFL learners to process aural input at the lexical level.

scholarly journals O USO DA LITERATURA NAS AULAS DE LÍNGUA ESTRANGEIRA ATRAVÉS DA PEDAGOGIA DESENVOLVIMENTAL DE DAVYDOV

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo De Araujo Placido
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Short Story ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
Language Classes ◽  
Language Schools

O acesso ao texto literário é um direito de todos (CANDIDO, 1995). Entretanto, há ainda pouco uso do texto literário para o ensino e aprendizagem de línguas estrangeiras, tanto no Ensino Médio quanto em escolas de idiomas no Brasil. Por isso, o objetivo principal deste artigo é o de investigar a aplicabilidade do uso de textos literários em aulas de língua estrangeira, mormente em língua inglesa por meio de técnicas de Escrita Criativa (MANCELLOS, 2000; MURRAY, 2003; POPE, 2005) com base direta na teoria do ensino desenvolvimental de Davydov (1988). A primeira parte deste artigo esboça rapidamente a pedagogia de Davydov (1988) e sua importância para o ensino de língua estrangeira nos dias atuais. Já a segunda parte foca na relevante contribuição da teoria do ensino desenvolvimental davydoviana e suas seis principais ações que podem ser usadas no ensino de língua estrangeira. A terceira e última parte traz exemplificações tanto de teoria de Davydov (1988) quanto indicações de websites os quais podem ser utilizados pelo professor de língua estrangeira dentro (e fora) da sala de aula.Abstract: The access to the literary text is a right of every human being (CANDIDO, 1995). However, there is still little use of literary texts for teaching and learning foreign languages, both at high schools and at language schools in Brazil. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to investigate the applicability of using literary texts in foreign language classes, especially in the English language ones through Creative Writing techniques (MANCELLOS, 2000; MURRAY, 2003; POPE, 2005) based directly on the theory of developmental teaching by Davydov (1988). Thus, the first part of this article briefly outlines the pedagogy of Davydov (1988) and its importance to foreign language teaching today. The second part focuses on the relevant contribution of the Davydovian theory for education as well as its six key actions that may be used for teaching foreign languages. The third and final part brings exemplifications of both Davydovian theory (1988), through a ciberliteray short story, and indications of websites, which may be used by foreign language teachers inside (and outside) the classroom.

scholarly journals Testing Breadth and Depth of Vocabulary Knowledge and Their Relationship with Vocabulary Size of EFL Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-100
Author(s):  
Ismi Narulita Firda ◽  
Intan Azkiyah ◽  
Albiansyah
Keyword(s):  
Junior High School ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
L2 Vocabulary ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract   Testing the breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge is needed to see its effect on the vocabulary size of EFL students. The study aims to know at the relationship between the breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge and the vocabulary size of EFL students. This research was conducted in the 8th grade of Trimulia Junior High School Jakarta. This research uses a correlational research design. The sample was 51 EFL learners. The Vocabulary Level Test (VLT) and the Words Associates Test (WAT) were administered in this study. The scores were presented with descriptive statistics for two tests of the breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge. The results showed that the breadth and depth of the vocabulary knowledge test had a negative correlation with the L2 vocabulary size of EFL students. Using Statistic Product moment, the correlation coefficients found at 0.01 for the breadth and 0.11 for depth is included in the very weak category. So, there is a very weak correlation between the tests of breadth and deep vocabulary knowledge and the size of students' vocabulary.   Keywords: breadth, depth, vocabulary knowledge, vocabulary sizes

Investigating the role of vocabulary size in second language speaking ability

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 540-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takumi Uchihara ◽  
Jon Clenton
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Expert Rating ◽  
L2 Speaking ◽  
Vocabulary Assessment ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

The current study investigates the extent to which receptive vocabulary size test scores can predict second language (L2) speaking ability. Forty-six international students with an advanced level of L2 proficiency completed a receptive vocabulary task (Yes/No test; Meara & Miralpeix, 2017) and a spontaneous speaking task (oral picture narrative). Elicited speech samples were submitted to expert rating based on speakers’ vocabulary features as well as lexical sophistication measures. Results indicate that vocabulary size was significantly associated with vocabulary rating. However, learners with large vocabulary sizes did not necessarily produce lexically sophisticated L2 words during speech. A closer examination of the data reveals complexities regarding the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and speaking. Based on these findings, we explore implications for L2 vocabulary assessment in classroom teaching contexts and provide important suggestions for future research on the vocabulary-and-speaking link.

scholarly journals The Effect of Reading Newspaper and Short Stories on Students’ Vocabulary Size at Cenderawasih University Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Erfin Wijayanti
Keyword(s):  
Short Stories ◽  
Short Story ◽  
English Education ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Education Study ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Newspaper Group

This study aimed to investigating the effect of reading newspapers and short stories on students' vocabulary size and whether there is a significant difference between students who read newspapers and short stories at third semester of English Education Study Program in Cenderawasih University. The method of the research was quasi-experimental.  The sample of the research was the students of third semester English Education Study Program at Cenderawasih University. It consisted of 36 students who were divided into two groups, i.e., Newspaper group and Short Story group, which were given the texts as a treatment based on their name's group. The test -2,000-VLT design of Nation- was used as the primary instrument test to measure the students' vocabulary size before and after given treatment. After analyzing the data, both groups demonstrated a significant increase in vocabulary size. The Newspapers group increased from 1,206 to 1,556 words, while the Short Story group shows the mean 1,134 words moved up to 1,469 words. However, the T-test shows that the vocabulary size of both the Newspaper group and Short Story group is not different significantly. Keywords: Effect, Vocabulary Size, Reading, Newspaper, Short Story 

Investigating lexical proficiency development over time – the case of Dutch-speaking learners of French in Brussels

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
BRAM BULTÉ ◽  
ALEX HOUSEN ◽  
MICHEL PIERRARD ◽  
SISKA VAN DAELE
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
L2 Proficiency ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Lexical Development ◽  
Language Classes ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
L2 Vocabulary ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTThis article aims (a) to explore the operationalisation and definition of lexical L2 proficiency and related constructs with a view to identifying a set of measures that can adequately capture the dynamics of lexical L2 proficiency development over time, and (b) to shed more light on the development of lexical proficiency in French Foreign Language classes. After a discussion of theoretical, terminological and methodological issues in L2 vocabulary research, we present a longitudinal quantitative study of the lexical development of Dutch-speaking adolescents learning FFL in Dutch-medium schools in Brussels over a three-year period and compare these learners' lexical proficiency in French to native speaker benchmarks.

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