The order of acquisition of various aspects of word knowledge is underexplored. Thus, this study examined learner performance with a number of aspects of word knowledge in an attempt to see whether they form an implicational scale in terms of an accuracy order. A total of 283 English as a Second Language students were tested on their knowledge of five aspects of word knowledge. Implicational scaling analysis was utilized to determine whether the components were scalable. The findings formed a scalable accuracy order. The accuracy order of the aspects of word knowledge examined in this study from easier to more difficult include: knowledge of the written form based on the spoken form, knowledge of the spoken form based on the written form, knowledge of the written form based on the meaning, knowledge of the spoken form based on the meaning, knowledge of spelling based on the spoken form. These findings suggest a number of implications for vocabulary acquisition as well as vocabulary teaching and learning.

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The purpose of this study, which is grounded in applied linguistics, was to investigate two ways of presenting vocabulary in a German language class in order to determine whether Frame Semantics is a feasible tool with regards to students’ vocabulary acquisition and culturally appropriate usage of vocabulary. In addition, this study examined learners’ attitudes toward the new method of vocabulary teaching and learning. A total of 34 university students enrolled in four second-semester German classes participated in this study. In the Control Group rote memorization techniques were used, while the in the Treatment Group frame semantics was utilized for the teaching and learning of vocabulary. The data was analyzed through quantitative methods. The quantitative data was derived from an online demographic survey, a vocabulary pre-test, two vocabulary post-tests (an immediate post-test and delayed post-test), a cultural appropriateness pre-test, two cultural appropriateness post-tests (an immediate post-test and delayed post-test), as well as an pre-test and post-test attitude scale provided as an online questionnaire. Analysis of the data indicates that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with regards to their cultural appropriate usage of the vocabulary items, and no statistically significant differences were observed with regards to vocabulary recall and retention. In addition, only the factor of enjoyment yielded significant differences with regards to learners’ attitude, while the factors of motivation, interest and confidence did not show statistically significant differences between the groups. Thus, the results indicate that both methods – Frame Semantics and the more traditional methods – are suitable for vocabulary learning and teaching as both methods resulted in an increase of learners’ vocabulary knowledge, including long-term retention. / text

The purpose of this study was to develop vocabulary materials to aid non-native English speakers, specifically Russian speaking test-takers, in their preparation for the mathematical sections of the General Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) in terms of English mathematical vocabulary. GRE and GMAT preparation materials and practice tests published by the Educational Testing Service, Kaplan, and Barron's were analyzed with the help of computer software. This data was then used to determine which key words to include in the vocabulary tool, which is now available on Quizlet (www.quizlet.com). The developed materials were further proofread by competent mathematics and English language professionals and assessed with the help of a questionnaire administered to them. The rationale of the materials development and the procedures used for the process are described in detail in this thesis project.

En ökande andel elever i den svenska skolan har inte svenska som modersmål. För att dessa elever ska klara kurserna och utveckla sitt svenska språk krävs att skolan möter de behov av språkundervisning som uppstår t.ex. genom att även ämnesundervisningen blir mer språkutvecklande och ord och begrepp explicit förklaras. Syftet med denna interventionsstudie var att testa hur gynnsamma två olika undervisningsmetoder är för undervisning av ord och begrepp inom ämnesundervisning för avancerade inlärare. De ord som användes i studien var hämtade ur en lärobok för vård- och omsorgsprogrammet, främst abstrakta begrepp men inte direkt ämnesspecifika. Två grupper bestående av komvuxelever deltog i interventionsstudien där de två grupperna undervisades på olika sätt. En grupp undervisades om orden med en deduktiv undervisningsmetod där inlärarna presenterades färdiga svar av läraren och den andra  gruppen undervisades med en induktiv undervisningsmetod där inlärarna själva, i ett socialt samspel, fick arbeta sig fram till svaren. Ett VKS-test genomfördes före undervisningen för att skapa en base line och samma test användes sedan som eftertest för att se effekten av de respektive undervisningsmetoderna. Studien visar att den deduktiva undervisningsmetoden, när eleverna fick färdiga förklaringar, gav bäst resultat i jämförelse med den induktiva undervisningen där eleverna i i små grupper förhandlade sig fram till innebörden och tränade på användningen av orden. Resultatet av studien står i stark kontrast till Skolverkets rekommendationer för undervisning i den svenska skolan. Att den deduktiva undervisningsmetoden var effektivast kan möjligtvis hänga samman med att kunskapen om orden i förtestet var ganska låg, vilket borde tyda på att kunskapsökningen mest bestod i att testpersonerna lärde sig betydelsen av ordet och att det inte i så stor utsträckning handlade om att de lärde sig att använda orden produktivt.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.