scholarly journals An Edited Version of the First Eight 1,000-Word Frequency Bands of the Japanese-English Version of the Vocabulary Size Test

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart McLean ◽  
Tomoko Ishii ◽  
Tim Stoeckel ◽  
Phil Bennett ◽  
Yuko Matsumoto
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
Word Frequency ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
English Version ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Parts Of Speech ◽  
Frequency Bands ◽  
Answer Choice ◽  
Japanese English

This paper provides and explains the criteria by which the first eight 1,000-word frequency bands of the Japanese bilingual Vocabulary Size Test (VST) were revised. The VST (Nation & Beglar, 2007) was designed as a measure of vocabulary size for language learners. It was originally produced and validated in a monolingual format, but in recent years several bilingual versions have also been made. These variants may yield more accurate results, because they avoid conflating vocabulary knowledge with ability to decode answer choices in the L2. However, they have received little scrutiny beyond initial piloting and may therefore benefit from further examination and refinement (Nguyen & Nation, 2011). This paper describes the revision of the first eight 1,000-word frequency bands of the Japanese bilingual VST with the goal of increasing the test’s unidimensionality and accuracy. The revisions (a) removed English loanwords from the answer choices to prevent examinees from correctly responding through phonological matching alone, (b) ensured that the parts of speech of each answer choice were identical, and (c) matched the lengths of answer choices. 本論文は、日本語版２ヶ国語 Vocabulary Size Test (VST) における最初の8000語レベルまでの改訂された単語出現頻度帯の基準を説明したものである。VST (Nation and Beglar, 2007) は言語学習者の語彙サイズを計測するために作られたもので、当初は英語のみで制作されていたが、近年様々な言語対応の版も作られている。これらの版では、英語の読解力に左右されることなくテストを受けられ、より正確な結果が得られることが予想される。しかしながら、それらの版は初期のパイロットテストの範囲を超える精査が殆どされていないため、更なる検証を重ねる事には意義がある（Nguyen & Nation, 2011）。本論文は、日本語版 VST の最初の8000語レベルの単語出現頻度帯について、測定の一次元性と正確さの向上を目的に改訂を試み、その結果をまとめたものである。改訂作業においては、 (a) 音による推測が容易なカタカナ語を選択肢から排除し、 (b) 各選択肢の品詞を統一し、(c) 各選択肢の長さの均衡をとった。

Multi-Faceted Morphological Awareness and Vocabulary Knowledge in English as a Second Language Learners: A Multivariate Analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhang Haomin ◽  
Zhuang Bilü
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Morphological Awareness ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Chinese College Students ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Vocabulary Depth

AbstractThis study investigates the role of morphological awareness in ESL vocabulary acquisition. Participants were 198 Chinese college students enrolled in a joint program which required them to study in China for the first two years and then study in the U.K. to complete their degrees. They completed a total of four paper-and-pencil tests: morpheme discrimination, morpheme recognition, vocabulary size test (VST) and word associates test (WAT) tests. We drew upon path analysis to explore the interconnected relationships among multiple explanatory variables (facets of morphological awareness) and outcome variables (facets of vocabulary knowledge). The results demonstrated that English derivational awareness was strongly predictive of both ESL vocabulary breadth and ESL vocabulary depth, and that preexisting ESL vocabulary breadth could enhance the relation between derivational awareness and ESL vocabulary depth. To summarize, these results indicate that an improved English derivational awareness not only helps to expand ESL vocabulary size but can also consolidate learners’ deep understanding of word properties, which will in turn assist them to establish connections with other associative words and phrases.

scholarly journals VOCABULARY SIZE AT FOUR STAGES OF LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Daskalovska
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
School Students ◽  
Authentic Texts ◽  
The Difference

One of the main aims of language learning is developing communicative competence, or the ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations. In order to achieve that, besides grammar knowledge, learners need to acquire enough vocabulary knowledge that would enable them to use the language outside the classroom, which requires acquiring significant receptive and productive word knowledge in order to be able to participate in various communicative situations. Research shows that the most frequent 2000 words comprise about 85% of the words in any text regardless of the topic, and that learners need to know at least 3000 word families in order to be able to use the language successfully and to be able to read authentic texts with understanding. However, experience shows that acquiring a large vocabulary is one of the biggest obstacles that language learners face in the process of language acquisition. Nevertheless, since vocabulary knowledge is the key component of the overall communicative competence, is it necessary to invest time and effort to learn the most frequent words in the language. The aim of this study is to determine the vocabulary size of language learners at four stages of language development. In addition, the study attempts to determine the difference between receptive and productive knowledge of vocabulary, as well as the difference between knowledge of words seen in isolation and in context. The participants were four groups of learners, of whom three groups comprised elementary and secondary school students and one group were university students. The results showed that during the first five years of learning the vocabulary knowledge increases at a greater rate, that learners have better receptive than productive knowledge of words, and that seeing words in context helps learners demonstrate greater receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0725/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

scholarly journals RECEPTIVE VOCABULARY KNOWLEDGE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN CLIL INSTRUCTION

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilsah Kalay
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Word Association ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Before And After

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) has recently attracted the attention of practitioners in the language teaching field. As the name suggests, CLIL is an approach built upon teaching content-based area through a language as a medium. For such a language learning process, one of the important language aspects is vocabulary. The number of words language learners know - vocabulary size - and how well they know those words - vocabulary depth - (overall, the receptive dimension of word knowledge) are crucial foci to consider in language learning. Therefore, the primary concern of the present study is to examine the effects of the CLIL approach on the receptive vocabulary knowledge of university students in a state university. Accordingly, Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT) by Schmitt, Schmitt and Clapham (2001) and Word Association Test (WAT) by Read (2000) are administered to the participants before and after CLIL treatment. The findings indicated that the subjects’ size of vocabulary knowledge has significantly differed with CLIL instruction in time, which means that CLIL instruction has been found to be successful for developing both general and academic vocabulary knowledge. Similarly, an increase in the depth of vocabulary knowledge of participants alongside with the CLIL instruction has been observed, indicating that participants’ quality of vocabulary knowledge evaluated through WAT seems to have improved with CLIL treatment. Further research including less frequent words as well as the productive aspect of word knowledge might shed light on the impacts of CLIL treatment on vocabulary development of language learners, especially university students. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0726/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

scholarly journals Vocabulary and listening in English among L1-Spanish learners: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Martin Aioz Pinillos
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Second Language Listening ◽  
Listening Ability ◽  
L2 Listening

Second language listening causes situations of stress and negative perceptions among learners and teachers. Research has suggested that L2 listening and vocabulary knowledge are related. However, this relationship has been barely explored, and in most cases with inadequate instruments. This thesis is an attempt to bridge those gaps by examining the contribution of the language learners’ vocabulary size to their listening ability. A bilingual multiple-choice vocabulary test, based on the official vocabulary list in a standardized language exam, was created to assess the vocabulary size of L2-English learners. Its 81 items were delivered first orally, and then in writing. The ability to comprehend aural texts was assessed through the listening paper in the same standardized examination. 284 language learners took the vocabulary and listening tests. After an observation period of 35 weeks, the study participants were given the same tests. Both datasets were analyzed with the Rasch model to determine the participants’ abilities and the item difficulties. Evidence from data analyses supported the following findings: 1) A strong and positive relationship exists between L2 vocabulary knowledge and listening comprehension. 2) Aural and written vocabulary knowledge are two dimensions that should be assessed and investigated separately, particularly in relation to listening comprehension. 3) Aural vocabulary knowledge is a better predictor of listening comprehension than written vocabulary knowledge, especially among language learners with comparatively weaker listening skills. 4) Knowing 71.71% of the words featured in a listening comprehension test is sufficient to answer 72% of its questions correctly. 5) Language learners increase their aural and written vocabulary size, and improve their listening ability after attending classes for about 35 weeks. This improvement is particularly acute among lower-level learners. Based on these results, L2 learners, teachers and researchers should focus more on the aural form of words to improve listening comprehension.

Passive vocabulary size and speed of meaning recognition

2001 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 7-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Batia Laufer ◽  
Paul Nation
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Word List ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Speed Of Response ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Vocabulary Recognition

This paper examines the relationship between fluency and vocabulary size, and also between fluency and word frequency level. Fluency was operationalised as the time learners need to recognize meanings of words sampled from different frequency levels. It was measured by a computerised vocabulary recognition speed test (VORST). The test was given to 488 native and non-native speakers who were divided by vocabulary size into four groups. The four groups were compared on speed of response to the 3000 level and University Word List (UWL) words. Speed was also correlated with vocabulary size. Additionally, response times to different frequency levels were compared for each subject. Results suggest that speed of retrieval is moderately related to vocabulary size and word frequency. Non-native speakers’ increase in speed lags behind increase in vocabulary size. Non-native speakers also respond more slowly to less frequent words. Responses of native speakers, on the other hand, are more homogeneous across subjects and across vocabulary frequencies. Speed of retrieval cannot be fully predicted from vocabulary knowledge and therefore speed tests should supplement tests of vocabulary size and depth.

scholarly journals Passive vocabulary size and speed of meaning recognition: are they related?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Nation ◽  
B Laufer
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Word List ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Speed Of Response ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Vocabulary Recognition

This paper examines the relationship between fluency and vocabulary size, and also between fluency and word frequency level. Fluency was operationalised as the time learners need to recognize meanings of words sampled from different frequency levels. It was measured by a computerised vocabulary recognition speed test (VORST). The test was given to 488 native and non-native speakers who were divided by vocabulary size into four groups. The four groups were compared on speed of response to the 3000 level and University Word List (UWL) words. Speed was also correlated with vocabulary size. Additionally, response times to different frequency levels were compared for each subject. Results suggest that speed of retrieval is moderately related to vocabulary size and word frequency. Non-native speakers’ increase in speed lags behind increase in vocabulary size. Non-native speakers also respond more slowly to less frequent words. Responses of native speakers, on the other hand, are more homogeneous across subjects and across vocabulary frequencies. Speed of retrieval cannot be fully predicted from vocabulary knowledge and therefore speed tests should supplement tests of vocabulary size and depth.

scholarly journals Morphological Awareness and Vocabulary Knowledge among English Language Learners

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Ibrahim Rabadi
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Morphological Awareness ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Morphological Knowledge ◽  
New Words ◽  
Language And Literature

This study aims to tackle an answer to the main question; if there is a relationship between the vocabulary size of adult English language learners and their morphological awareness and if their performance would differ in word complexity. The participants were 90 senior BA English Language and Literature students from Jordanian universities. The two empirical research tools were the Vocabulary Size Test and Morphological Awareness Test. The results revealed the mid-frequent level vocabulary size of the participants, and they were unable to form and use new words using morphemes. A positive correlation between the vocabulary size of the participants and their morphological awareness existed. Besides, a positive relationship existed between their performance on word complexity and their morphological knowledge. Pedagogical solutions need to be implanted in English as a Second Language (ESL)/ English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes.

scholarly journals Passive vocabulary size and speed of meaning recognition: are they related?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Nation ◽  
B Laufer
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Word List ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Speed Of Response ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Vocabulary Recognition

This paper examines the relationship between fluency and vocabulary size, and also between fluency and word frequency level. Fluency was operationalised as the time learners need to recognize meanings of words sampled from different frequency levels. It was measured by a computerised vocabulary recognition speed test (VORST). The test was given to 488 native and non-native speakers who were divided by vocabulary size into four groups. The four groups were compared on speed of response to the 3000 level and University Word List (UWL) words. Speed was also correlated with vocabulary size. Additionally, response times to different frequency levels were compared for each subject. Results suggest that speed of retrieval is moderately related to vocabulary size and word frequency. Non-native speakers’ increase in speed lags behind increase in vocabulary size. Non-native speakers also respond more slowly to less frequent words. Responses of native speakers, on the other hand, are more homogeneous across subjects and across vocabulary frequencies. Speed of retrieval cannot be fully predicted from vocabulary knowledge and therefore speed tests should supplement tests of vocabulary size and depth.

A Study on Lexical Sense Relations from the Perspective of Vocabulary Breadth and Word Frequency

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 988
Author(s):  
Xiaoli Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Word Frequency ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
Word Meaning ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
L2 Vocabulary ◽  
Substantial Extent

In second language (L2) vocabulary acquisition, breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge are two indispensable components that interrelate with each other to a substantial extent. Breadth of vocabulary is actually vocabulary size. Lexical sense relations, part and parcel of depth of vocabulary, are reported to be able to facilitate the mastery of L2 words. Word frequency concerns the familiarity of words. The present research intends to make a synthetical analysis of the development of L2 word meaning under the influence of vocabulary size and word frequency in classroom settings. The merging of qualitative and quantitative aspects of words is to describe exhaustively how students fit the words into their mind, and to provide some pedagogical implications to L2 vocabulary teaching and learning.

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