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Chapter 5. Examining vocabulary knowledge in languages other than English

The case of French
  • Christina Lindqvist
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Approaches and Methods in French Second Language Acquisition Research
This chapter is in the book Approaches and Methods in French Second Language Acquisition Research

Abstract

Research on vocabulary knowledge has a long tradition within the SLA field, with a steadily growing number of publications since the 1980s (e.g. Bardel et al., 2013; Carter, 1987; Daller et al., 2007; Milton, 2009; Nation, 2001; Schmitt & McCarthy, 1997). However, as emerges from a recent handbook on vocabulary studies (Webb, 2020a), most previous research concerns L2 English, with relatively few studies investigating vocabulary learning in languages other than English. To what extent is it possible to adapt English tests and instruments to other languages? How can we compare results between languages as far as vocabulary knowledge is concerned? This chapter will present an overview of studies on vocabulary knowledge in L2 French by focusing on the approaches and methods that have been used and by comparing to L2 English. It is well known that vocabulary knowledge is complex, including many different aspects such as the word’s form, its meaning and how it can be used, as suggested by Nation (2001). Studies on L2 French have to date mainly focused on vocabulary size, lexical richness and vocabulary depth. The chapter will systematically review and critically discuss the studies’ research designs and methodologies.

Abstract

Research on vocabulary knowledge has a long tradition within the SLA field, with a steadily growing number of publications since the 1980s (e.g. Bardel et al., 2013; Carter, 1987; Daller et al., 2007; Milton, 2009; Nation, 2001; Schmitt & McCarthy, 1997). However, as emerges from a recent handbook on vocabulary studies (Webb, 2020a), most previous research concerns L2 English, with relatively few studies investigating vocabulary learning in languages other than English. To what extent is it possible to adapt English tests and instruments to other languages? How can we compare results between languages as far as vocabulary knowledge is concerned? This chapter will present an overview of studies on vocabulary knowledge in L2 French by focusing on the approaches and methods that have been used and by comparing to L2 English. It is well known that vocabulary knowledge is complex, including many different aspects such as the word’s form, its meaning and how it can be used, as suggested by Nation (2001). Studies on L2 French have to date mainly focused on vocabulary size, lexical richness and vocabulary depth. The chapter will systematically review and critically discuss the studies’ research designs and methodologies.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. List of contributors ix
  5. Chapter 1. Exploring research methods in French as a second language 1
  6. Section I. Exploring French learner language
  7. Chapter 2. Approaches and methods for the study of the L2 production of French segmentals and prosody 20
  8. Chapter 3. Methodological consideration in research on French second-language speech perception and spoken word recognition 44
  9. Chapter 4. Researching fluency in L2 French 70
  10. Chapter 5. Examining vocabulary knowledge in languages other than English 95
  11. Chapter 6. Methodological considerations in the study of morphology in L2 French 126
  12. Chapter 7. Methods and approaches in second language research of L2 French syntax 152
  13. Chapter 8. L2-French acquisition of discursive competence 174
  14. Chapter 9. Approaches and methods in research on sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence in second language French 206
  15. Section II. Exploring learners and contexts of learning in second language French
  16. Chapter 10. CA-SLA 234
  17. Chapter 11. Researching L2 French input and instructed learning 261
  18. Chapter 12. Methodology in research on individual differences and French as a second language 284
  19. Chapter 13. Child L2 acquisition of French 308
  20. Chapter 14. Approaches to investigating French as a third language 334
  21. Conclusion
  22. Chapter 15. Research approaches and methods in second language French 364
  23. Index 377
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.9.05lin

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgments vii
  4. List of contributors ix
  5. Chapter 1. Exploring research methods in French as a second language 1
  6. Section I. Exploring French learner language
  7. Chapter 2. Approaches and methods for the study of the L2 production of French segmentals and prosody 20
  8. Chapter 3. Methodological consideration in research on French second-language speech perception and spoken word recognition 44
  9. Chapter 4. Researching fluency in L2 French 70
  10. Chapter 5. Examining vocabulary knowledge in languages other than English 95
  11. Chapter 6. Methodological considerations in the study of morphology in L2 French 126
  12. Chapter 7. Methods and approaches in second language research of L2 French syntax 152
  13. Chapter 8. L2-French acquisition of discursive competence 174
  14. Chapter 9. Approaches and methods in research on sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence in second language French 206
  15. Section II. Exploring learners and contexts of learning in second language French
  16. Chapter 10. CA-SLA 234
  17. Chapter 11. Researching L2 French input and instructed learning 261
  18. Chapter 12. Methodology in research on individual differences and French as a second language 284
  19. Chapter 13. Child L2 acquisition of French 308
  20. Chapter 14. Approaches to investigating French as a third language 334
  21. Conclusion
  22. Chapter 15. Research approaches and methods in second language French 364
  23. Index 377
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