Introducing Vocabulary in the EFL Classroom

Proceedings of The 3rd International Academic Conference on Teaching, Learning and Education

Year: 2021

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/3rd.tleconf.2021.07.150

[Fulltext PDF]

Introducing Vocabulary in the EFL Classroom

Darja Pipuš

ABSTRACT: 

The paper deals with EFL and presents different theoretical and practical ways in language learning, that is learning new vocabulary. In the beginning it examines the two different ways of learning a foreign language, that is incidental (language acquisition) and intentional (language learning). Subsequently, it examines which is more important in language learning, grammar, or vocabulary and why. The central part of the paper focuses on ways of teaching and learning new vocabulary and the four key points in learning new vocabulary, which are exposure, repetition and multiple encounter, multisensory learning and learning stages. The paper describes the theoretical background for the four key points and tips on how to implement them. The paper argues that vocabulary trumps grammar in foreign language learning and that the four key points described in the paper are crucial in facilitating vocabulary learning. The paper is in terms of methodology theoretical in nature and uses the descriptive research method as it describes previous findings on the topic and comparative research method when comparing professional and scientific findings of different authors. The paper is also based on the author’s personal work and activities in the classroom in her 20 years of teaching English.

Keywords: acqusition, exposure, repetition, multisensory learning, learning stages.