Choosing vocabulary to teach

Andrew WalkleyCELT at University of Westminster

"... it seems obvious that, at least after elementary level, the largest part of a language learner's task is to build up an adequate stock of high-priority words and lexicalised phrases."

http://www.mikeswan.co.uk/elt-applied-linguistics/language-teaching.htm

Grammar and vocabulary

Text coverage Vocabulary size50% 10072% 100080% 200090% 600097% 15000 (academic texts)

How many words do we need?

How good are you at judging frequency?

Top 100 gethave beenlongsaidwereistellgo

Top 1000 passprovidebookchair (n)containsmalleconomytest (n)busredlist (n) serioussort (n / v)

Top 2500meatcountrysidemoodinsistsadfailurefunrecommendlist (v)reliefpolicycoalgold

Top 5000claysilkunderminecomponentexamapplecinemalamppostercarbonallegationpleasedupsetboredshort termmediumrelievepotatosue

Top 7500chair (v)bananapurplegarlickind (adj)curly blondethrillerromancetanbad-tempered

Over 7500pearyogachillimedium-sizedskinnymoodysunburntelectriciancivil servantsalmon

Vocabulary choice: grammar as words / phrases at low levels

Have you been to Brighton?Can you help me?I'll be there in 10 minutes.Maybe we should go now.I must buy some water. I have to go to the bank.Where / what time shall we meet?We could ask, if you want.If you want to go shopping, I'd go / I wouldn't go to Oxford street.

Vocabulary choice: numbers and unrestricted grammar

How much is it?What time shall we meet? When does it start?What time does your flight leave?What time do we have to be at the airport?So what time (do you think) we should leave here?How long will you be?How far is it?How old is he?How many people were there?How many people are unemployed?How long have you been here?What's the average wage?

age people leave home?age people get married?age people retire? (1000-2000) any other ideas

(die)

Vocabulary choice:Academic word list and usage

The determination of the readily available phosphorus of soilsThe information available in brief visual presentations.

Rate of cell death in parkinsonism indicates active neuropathological processNative American mitochondrial DNA analysis indicates that the Amerind and the Nadene populations were founded by two independent migrations.

Trust and breach of the psychological contractContract enforceability and economic institutions in early trade: The Maghribi traders' coalition

The apartment will be available on June firstYour continued lateness for class indicates to me that you are not really a very serious student.The young popstar became famous while still in high school after winning a contract with a major record label.

Vocabulary choice:How good examples can get more out of low frequency coursebook vocabulary

When the ambulance arrived he'd stopped breathing, but the paramedics got his heart going again before they rushed him to hospital.

Our little boy has been ill a lot, but our doctor isn't sure why, so he's been referred to a paediatrician.

There's been a scandal because the nurses were found to be neglecting patients. Some had even died because of the lack of care.

The nurse said the surgeon's very good, so I'll be in safe hands when they operate.The surgeon said the operation had gone well and he expects him to recover well.

What's happening?>I'm waiting for the nurse to take some blood.

Have you heard of anyone who needed a paramedic? Why what happened?

Do you know anyone who's had a referral?Who to? What for? Have you ever had to consult someone? What about?

Have you heard of any cases of neglect? What of? What happened? Have you heard of any scandals? What happened?

Questions about your examples and your choice

Vocabulary choice:dealing with lexical sets

- simple grammar – "random" words and using students- start from a 'function' or phrase rather and limit the 'set'- develop a set from a word (not as superordinate)- stories / texts / conversations rather than sets

No set: simple grammar with "random" words

The governmentHis flatMy school                                    goodOur teacher                 is             OKThe food                                      badThe areaThisThe economyThat restaurant

In general we not only underestimate the frequency of 'serious' words but also the interests and abilities of low level learners

The US government is bad. They don't do anything.His new flat is good. It's big.My son's school is OK.  He's happy there.                          Our science teacher is good. She explains things well.                 The food here is bad. It doesn't taste nice.                         The area near the station is bad. There's a lot of crime.This coffee is good. It's nice and strong.The French economy is bad. There's a lot of unemployment.That French restaurant is OK. The food's nice, but it's expensive.

Who was the blonde man in the suit? I haven't seen him before.Who was the young man in the suit? I haven't seen him before.Who was the short man in the suit? I haven't seen him before.Who was the big man in the suit? I haven't seen him before.Who was the blonde man in the white shirt? I haven't seen him before.Who was the blonde man in the red jumper? I haven't seen him before.Who was the blonde man in the black jeans? I haven't seen him before.Who was the blonde man next to you? I haven't seen him before.Who was the blonde man next to Greg? I haven't seen him before.Who was the blonde man in the front row? I haven't seen him before.Who was the blonde man in the suit? I've seen him (somewhere) before.

And responses…

Limiting sets: start from a 'function' or phrase.

Who was the blonde man in the suit? I haven't seen him before.

Different kinds of set: develop a set from a word

staff: exploring collocationsrecession: exploring co-text

When there's a recession what happens?- unemployment goes up / soars*- people lose their jobs / get made redundant*- companies close / go bankrupt*- the government (everyone) makes cuts- sell the car / get rid of any luxuries*- get into debt- lose their house / get repossessed*- have difficulties / struggle*- don't spend money / people tighten their belts*

New sets or no set?: Stories / texts

unemployment

When the recession started, the company he was working for closed down. He's been unemployed for 6 months. 

He's getting by on his unemployment benefit and he's been using some of his savings, but I don't know how long he can survive like that.

He's beginning to get depressed because he's been looking for a job, but there's so much competition. He's applied for 20 and he hasn't had one interview. It's hard to maintain your motivation and not just sit at home all day feeling sorry for yourself.

Vocabulary choice: What to choose and focus on in texts

- frequent words and meaning (adjusted for level)- phrases and patterns which offer opportunities to 'slot in' limited sets- collocations around very frequent words (still at high level)- words which may generate a lot of associated (frequent) language and stories- word families (and collocations)

Revision and recylingvocaroo and dictations

airarmbackburncancelcarrychestcoughday offfootfresh

get some fresh airgrabbed me by the armsuffers from back painburnt it quite badlyhad to cancela bad chesttake something for your coughgave me the day offmy left footfresh vegetables

May I open the window? because I want to get some fresh air.The strange man suddenly grabbed me by the arm on the street,so I ran away soon.I suffered from  back pain because I bought heavy bag.After he broke up his girlfriend, he threw the her picture into fire,and burnt it quiet badly.My schedule was changed because of trouble of my customer so I have to cancel my fright.I have a bad chest pains today.Take some thing for your cough,If you need,I have paracetamol.My boss gave me the day off.because my son took a could.My left foot called a A golden left leg when I was a high school students.I like fresh vegetables,It's good for healthy.

Flashcards and rote learningVocabulary showers Act or draw.Make connections / write stories

NOT just meaning / expand on what students did / ask about collocation etc.

Outcomes

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Lexical Teaching conference May 11th University of Westminster