Vocabulary Acquisition Workshop I

Animator: Deborah Detzel
Smith Hall, room 208
Wednesday, July 28, 2004. 3:30p.m.

At the beginning of the workshop, the animator fired up a debate on how to introduce and teach vocabulary, on the difference between language learning and language acquisition, and also on how a stimulating and motivating environment can enhance learning among students. Then the participants shared ideas on ways of teaching that result in vocabulary acquisition, and on the importance of task-based activities.

Then, the animator elaborated on incidental learning, explicit instruction, and independent strategy development:

1. Incidental Learning is where most words in the first and second languages are probably learned, and is suitable for students who have a certain ability in the target language. Incidental learning can’t be useful with beginners.
   
   
2. Unlike Incidental learning, Explicit Instruction is appropriate with beginners whose lexicon is still very limited. Teachers have then to select and teach words that are frequently used. Learners need to hear words and repeat them, and the teacher has to decide what to teach and how to teach it. Both receptive and productive practice of a new item are necessary to use a word correctly.
   
   
3. In addition to incidental learning and intentional instruction, the teacher has to develop in students the skill of using a dictionary and help them choose the one that suits their level best. The teacher should also help students develop their own strategies to enrich their lexicon.

Reporters: Nezha Belkachla
& Abdelouahab Senhaji