1. How can Concordancing help language teachers design vocabulary tests: Examples from a study in extensive reading
ANNA BOUGIA
UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH
TESOL GREECE, 33rd ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, “TEACHING, TESTING AND TECHNOLOGY”, MARCH 17-18 2012
Introduction Methods Findings of the Study
Concordance-based method is proposed in the present study as a Two graded readers were computerized and loaded into the concordancer. Pure vocabulary gain of unknown words from extensive reading is small
model of data-driven approach that can facilitate ESL instructors to The software was initially used in order to create an alphabetic list of all but it is significant.
examine whether the selected reading material they intend to use serves words occurring in corpora. Secondly, after eliminating function words two
The exposure to large amounts of input raises students’ awareness on
pedagogical needs, and whether its vocabulary level is suitable for frequency word bands with content words were created. During pre-test 1,
the semantic value of words in different contexts and consolidates previous
students. Frequency information is very important for instructors who students’ vocabulary background was examined via the alphabetic list while
vocabulary knowledge.
want to examine vocabulary gain from extensive reading in an ESL in pre-test 2, the acquisition rate of high frequency words was tested with
classroom, as text frequency is believed to be positively correlated with the frequency list. Frequency alone is positively correlated with acquisition of words but
incidental vocabulary learning. The present study explores the must be further investigated alongside context evaluation and general word
integration of concordancing in an extensive reading experiment where it frequency.
is used as a software tool for designing vocabulary tests and
analyzing corpora. A computer text-searching program (concordancer) Histogram 1: Successful translation of high frequency words Practical applications for ESL teachers
Monoconc Pro, which is used for linguistics or language teaching and
learning purposes, is used in order to access the corpora (2 graded Only 22% of the words Concordancing can be used to:
reader books) and quickly build frequency lists of all occurring words. that occurred 9 times and
more were successfully Sensitize students to the different grammatical patterns and usages
translated. of a word and train them in guessing from context.
Objectives
The present study extends previous research and provides more The student who scored
empirical evidence on vocabulary acquisition and retention higher translated
through reading by examining the factor of frequency with a successfully 50% of the
concordancer (Monoconc Pro). tested words.
This study investigates the complex nature of context-based learning The percentage of Raise students’ awareness of the use of transitions.
and elucidates factors that have a positive correlation with successful translation of 24: American music forever. The story, however, isn't always that simple.
vocabulary acquisition. high frequency words ranges
from 7% to 27%. 25:Acidity, however, isn't the exclusive domain of white wines. Exclusive
This study examines whether extensive reading promotes receptive
vocabulary growth and retention of frequently occurring words in 26:domain of white wines. His skills, however, have kept pace with the
context. times. Determine accurate usage of easily confused words or
Acknowledgements
collocations (ECPE MICHIGAN EXAMS).
I would like to acknowledge Dr. Sylvia Karastathi and Mrs. Alexandra Kaoni. Teacher creates concordance lines of words: lessening, reducing,
References dropping, dwindling and students try to find their differences.
Pigada, M., and Schmitt, N., 2006. Vocabulary acquisition from extensive Reading: A case study. Reading in a Foreign
Language,18,pp.1-2