Direct Teaching of Vocabulary in Context: the Comparison of Effect of Direct and Incidental Teaching in Learning Vocabulary

Rezamorad, Sahraee; Ahmadiye Ghader, Shahnaz

doi:10.22051/jlr.2016.2147

Document Type : Research

Authors

¹ Allameh Tabatabaei University

² Imam Khomeini International University

https://doi.org/10.22051/jlr.2016.2147

Abstract

Direct Teaching of Vocabulary in Context: the Comparison of Effect of Direct and Incidental Teaching in Learning Vocabulary
Reza M. Sahraei[1]
Shahnaz Ahmadi[2]

Received: 2012/10/02
Accepted: 2013/05/31

Abstract

To facilitate teaching and learning vocabulary, this paper examines the effort and time spent on the direct instruction of lexical items in second language learning classes; whether it is a waste of time and learners should cope with it by themselves or it is acceptably effective in learning vocabulary. Hence, this study compared the effectiveness of two learning conditions: incidental learning through reading alone, and direct teaching of lexical items in context. ninty six participants, who were chosen after a pre-test, were taught in these two conditions. After teaching, four levels of word knowledge (form recall, meaning recall, form recognition, meaning recognition) were evaluated through four post-tests (form completion test, supply meaning and definition or translation test, selection of the correct form test, selection of the correct meaning test). To assess retention of target words over time, this post-test was administered twice; once immediately after the instruction, and once again one week after the instruction. The descriptive analysis of results showed that direct instruction in context is more effective than incidental learning alone in all four levels of word knowledge acquisition. The findings of the present research emphasize the balanced application of both direct and incidental learning approaches. It, also, demonstrates the value of the effort and time spent for direct instruction in second language learning classes.

Keywords: lexical knowledge, direct instruction, incidental learning, levels of mastery of the form-meaning link.

[1] . Associate Professor of Allameh Tabataba'i University. Email Address: sahraei@atu.ac.ir

[2]. Researcher at Saadi Foundation. Email Address: sh.ahmadighader@saadifoundation.ir

Keywords

20.1001.1.20088833.1394.7.17.4.3

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ZABANPAZHUHI (Journal of Language Research)

Direct Teaching of Vocabulary in Context: the Comparison of Effect of Direct and Incidental Teaching in Learning Vocabulary

References

References

Volume 7, Issue 17 - Serial Number 17
March 2016
Pages 77-102

Direct Teaching of Vocabulary in Context: the Comparison of Effect of Direct and Incidental Teaching in Learning Vocabulary

References

References

Volume 7, Issue 17 - Serial Number 17March 2016Pages 77-102

Volume 7, Issue 17 - Serial Number 17
March 2016
Pages 77-102