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Learning semantic and thematic vocabulary clusters through embedded instruction: effects on very young English learners’ vocabulary acquisition and retention

  • Jennifer Ann McDonald and Barry Lee Reynolds ORCID logo EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: October 28, 2021
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Abstract

Research has suggested an interference effect for words taught in semantic clusters due to the semantic links connecting the words. Thematic clustering of vocabulary is an alternative method of presenting new words to second language (L2) learners. However, what is known about the effects of semantic and thematic clustering has been uncovered through the recruitment of adult learners, with little research conducted with very young learners. Moreover, language textbooks and curriculums for very young learners continue to structure vocabulary semantically. Embedded instruction using storybook contexts has been suggested as a suitable context-based vocabulary teaching technique although knowledge of its effects is limited. To investigate this claim, a quasi-experimental within-subjects design was used to investigate whether embedded instruction could differentially affect very young L2 learners’ learning of new vocabulary taught in either semantic or thematic clusters (N = 38) compared to a control (N = 15). The findings suggest that embedded instruction is beneficial for very young L2 learners’ vocabulary learning regardless of the clustering type. Participants gained and retained over time considerable receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge for both semantic and thematic clustered words, indicating that embedding vocabulary in storybook contexts may reduce the potential for interference between target words in semantic clusters.


Corresponding author: Barry Lee Reynolds, Room 1017, Faculty of Education, E33, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China, E-mail:

Funding source: University of Macau

Award Identifier / Grant number: MYRG2018-00008-FED

  1. Research funding: The research reported in this paper was supported by the University of Macau under grant no. MYRG2018-00008-FED.

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Received: 2020-09-08
Accepted: 2021-10-15
Published Online: 2021-10-28
Published in Print: 2023-09-26

© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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