This document defines and compares key vocabulary concepts. It explains that lexis refers to one's internal database of words and typical word combinations, which is broader than vocabulary which mainly refers to single words. It describes lexis as including: individual words, common word patterns (collocations), and longer typical word chunks. Collocations are two or more words that frequently occur together. Chunks are sequences of words that native speakers naturally use to express an idea.

2. 
WHAT IS VOCABULARY?
WHAT IS LEXIS ?

3. 
It refers mainly to single words,
e.g. market and sometimes to
very tightly linked 2 or 3 words
combinations , e.g. stock
market.
VOCABULARY

4. 
The concept of lexis is bigger. It refers
to our “internal database” of words
and complete “ready made” fixed or
semifixed typical combinations of
words.
lexis

5. 
a) Traditional single words vocabulary items (words)
b) Common “going together” patterns of words (collocations)
c) Longer combinations of words that are typically used
together
as if they were a single item. (chunks)
Lexis

6. 
I like looking for bits and
pieces like old second-hand
record players and doing them
up to look like new.
20, 21?
What is a word ?

7. 
Content words and function words
 Traditionally, function words
belonged to the domain of Grammar
Teaching, while the Teaching of
Vocabulary was more concerned
with content words.
What is a word ?

8. 
A lexical approach to language teaching
foregrounds vocabulary learning, both in
the form of individual, high frequency
words, and in the form of word
combinations (chunks)
How words go together and in context.
Lexical approach

9.  a syllabus should be organised around meanings
 the most frequent words encode the most frequent
meanings and
 words typically co-occur with other words
 these co-ocurences are an aid to fluency
Lexical approach:
principles

10. 
 The coining of new words never stops. Nor does the
acquisition of words.
 We are constantly learning new words and learning
new meanings for old words.
What is a word ?

11. 
 “A deep red in colour. Lush and soft aroma with
plums and blackberries. The mouthfeel is plush
and comfortable like an old pair of slippers. The
generous finish ends with a grippy earthy
aftertaste”
 www.ewine.ex.aus
What is a word ?

12. 
 How to cope with gaps in word knowledge
including unknown words or unfamiliar uses of
known words.?
 Implication in terms of teaching.
What is a word ?

13.  Two words or a group of words that occur together, that
seem to go together with more than just chance frequency.
A familiar grouping of words that habitaully appear
together and convey by association
 sour milk . butter?
 catch a bus taxi?
 record / set He set the junior record.
What is a collocation?

14. 
 djective + noun a difficult decision
 Verb + noun keep a promise
 Noun + noun radio station
 Verb + adverb examine thoroughly
 Adverb + adjective extremely inconvenient

What is a collocation?

15. 
 Chunk of tuna?? Cheese, bread ?
What is a “chunk”

16. 
Chunk of language: sequence
of words which native
speakers feel is the natural and
preferred way of expressing a
particular idea or purpose
 only time will…….
What is a “chunk”

17. 
Lexical chunks, chunk of
language, chunk spotting,
chunking-oriented teaching,
chunkiness

What is a “chunk” ?

18. 
Even when words are not joined to form
compounds, we have seen that groups of more than
one word such as bits and pieces can function as a
meaningful unit with a fixed or semi-fixed form .
Technically these are known as multi-word units,
often called “lexical chunks”
What is a “chunk” ?

19. 
 CONTENTS EXTRACTED FROM
 Teach Vocabulary
 Scott Thornbury
 Longman, 2002
 Vocabulary Learning and Teaching
 (Part of reading assignment)
 Jeanette S. Decarrico
 What is Lexis.
 (Part of reading assignment)
 Jim Scrivner
….FROM WORDS TO
CHUNKS