Vocabulary Knowledge and Vocabulary Use in Second Language Writing

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Vocabulary Knowledge and Vocabulary Use in Second Language Writing
Language: English
Authors: Johnson, Mark D., Acevedo, Anthony, Mercado, Leonardo
Source: TESOL Journal. Sep 2016 7(3):700-715.
Availability: Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2016
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Vocabulary Development, Language Usage, Writing (Composition), Writing Skills, English Language Learners, Pilot Projects, Accuracy, Writing Achievement, Lexicology, Word Frequency, Communicative Competence (Languages)
DOI: 10.1002/tesj.238
ISSN: 1056-7941
Abstract: Research has consistently shown diversity of vocabulary to be an important indicator of second language (L2) writing development as well as L2 writing performance. These studies underscore the importance of vocabulary to L2 writing. However, they provide little to indicate what kind of vocabulary learners of English may need to know in order to develop writing proficiency. This small-scale pilot study examined the relationships among vocabulary knowledge, vocabulary use, and L2 writing performance. The results suggest that accurate productive knowledge of high-frequency word families was associated with L2 writing performance. However, actual use of high-frequency word families was negatively associated with L2 writing performance. Based on the results, the authors present potential uses of lexical frequency information to help students develop (a) accurate productive knowledge of high-frequency word families and (b) a repertoire of low-frequency word families based on their communicative needs.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1111808
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Research has consistently shown diversity of vocabulary to be an important indicator of second language (L2) writing development as well as L2 writing performance. These studies underscore the importance of vocabulary to L2 writing. However, they provide little to indicate what kind of vocabulary learners of English may need to know in order to develop writing proficiency. This small-scale pilot study examined the relationships among vocabulary knowledge, vocabulary use, and L2 writing performance. The results suggest that accurate productive knowledge of high-frequency word families was associated with L2 writing performance. However, actual use of high-frequency word families was negatively associated with L2 writing performance. Based on the results, the authors present potential uses of lexical frequency information to help students develop (a) accurate productive knowledge of high-frequency word families and (b) a repertoire of low-frequency word families based on their communicative needs.
ISSN:1056-7941
DOI:10.1002/tesj.238