2. The Lexical Approach
Key figures:
Dave Willis – “Lexical Syllabus” - (1990)
Michael Lewis – “The Lexical Approach” - (1993)
“Implementing the Lexical
Approach” – (1997)
3. The Lexical Approach
What are the main features of the lexical
approach ?
LEXIS, rather than grammar, plays a primary role in
the acquisition of language.
LEXIS is not just vocabulary.
CHUNKS (lexical prefabricated items) represent a
significant portion of a native speaker’s spoken and
written output. Therefore, these chunks of language
are vital for fluent production.
4. The Lexical Approach
“Language consists not of traditional
grammar and vocabulary but often of
multi-word prefabricated chunks.”
Michael Lewis
5. The Lexical Approach
“The essential idea is that fluency is
based on the acquisition of fixed and
semi-fixed prefabricated items, which
are available as the foundation for any
linguistic novelty or creativity.”
Michael Lewis
6. The Nature of Lexis
There is a distinction between vocabulary, traditionally
thought to be constituted of single items, and lexis, which
includes not only the single words but also the word
combinations that we store in our mental lexicon.
MULTI-WORD ITEMS OR CHUNKS
WORDS book, pen
POLYWORDS by the way, upside down, on the other
hand
COLLOCATIONS community service, do a job
FIXED EXPRESSIONS I´ll get it; We´ll see; If I were you ...
SENTENCE FRAMES OR HEADS The problem is …, That
is all very well, but …
7. The Lexical Approach
ROLE OF TEACHER
The teacher: the main source of
learners` input
Assisting learners by providing
scaffolding
Helping learners manage their
own learning
8. The Lexical Approach
ROLE OF STUDENTS
Analizing real life language samples
based on his own explanations
Observing, classifying and making
generalizations
The student is the discoverer.
9. The Lexical Approach
ROLE OF MATERIALS
Course packages
Collection of vocabulary teaching
activities
Print-out versions of computer
corpora
Computer concordance programs
