How can Concordancing help language teachers design vocabulary tests: Examples from a study in extensive reading

ANNA BOUGIA

UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH

TESOL GREECE, 33rd ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, “TEACHING, TESTING AND TECHNOLOGY”, MARCH 17-18 2012

Concordance-based method is proposed in the present study as a

model of data-driven approach that can facilitate ESL instructors to

examine whether the selected reading material they intend to use serves

pedagogical needs, and whether its vocabulary level is suitable for

students. Frequency information is very important for instructors who

want to examine vocabulary gain from extensive reading in an ESL

classroom, as text frequency is believed to be positively correlated with

incidental vocabulary learning. The present study explores the

integration of concordancing in an extensive reading experiment where it

is used as a software tool for designing vocabulary tests and

analyzing corpora. A computer text-searching program (concordancer)

Monoconc Pro, which is used for linguistics or language teaching and

learning purposes, is used in order to access the corpora (2 graded

reader books) and quickly build frequency lists of all occurring words.

Introduction Methods Findings of the Study

Objectives

Histogram 1: Successful translation of high frequency words

The present study extends previous research and provides more

empirical evidence on vocabulary acquisition and retention

through reading by examining the factor of frequency with a

concordancer (Monoconc Pro).

This study investigates the complex nature of context-based learning

and elucidates factors that have a positive correlation with

vocabulary acquisition.

This study examines whether extensive reading promotes receptive

vocabulary growth and retention of frequently occurring words in

context.Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge Dr. Sylvia Karastathi and Mrs. Alexandra Kaoni.

References

Pigada, M., and Schmitt, N., 2006. Vocabulary acquisition from extensive Reading: A case study. Reading in a Foreign

Language,18,pp.1-2

Two graded readers were computerized and loaded into the concordancer.

The software was initially used in order to create an alphabetic list of all

words occurring in corpora. Secondly, after eliminating function words two

frequency word bands with content words were created. During pre-test 1,

students’ vocabulary background was examined via the alphabetic list while

in pre-test 2, the acquisition rate of high frequency words was tested with

the frequency list.

Only 22% of the words

that occurred 9 times and

more were successfully

translated.

The student who scored

higher translated

successfully 50% of the

tested words.

The percentage of

successful translation of

high frequency words ranges

from 7% to 27%.

Pure vocabulary gain of unknown words from extensive reading is small

but it is significant.

The exposure to large amounts of input raises students’ awareness on

the semantic value of words in different contexts and consolidates previous

vocabulary knowledge.

Frequency alone is positively correlated with acquisition of words but

must be further investigated alongside context evaluation and general word

frequency.

Practical applications for ESL teachers

Concordancing can be used to:

Sensitize students to the different grammatical patterns and usages

of a word and train them in guessing from context.

Raise students’ awareness of the use of transitions.

24: American music forever. The story, however, isn't always that simple.

25:Acidity, however, isn't the exclusive domain of white wines. Exclusive

26:domain of white wines. His skills, however, have kept pace with the

times. Determine accurate usage of easily confused words or

collocations (ECPE MICHIGAN EXAMS).

Teacher creates concordance lines of words: lessening, reducing,

dropping, dwindling and students try to find their differences.