Vocabulary : it's all about words working together : an interactive multimedia program to improve senior phase English first additional language learners' functional vocabulary through an increased understanding of everyday authentic texts and classical and contemporary poetry

[摘要] The continuing decline in Matriculation pass rates is a matter of concern forgovernment, educators, parents and students in South African schools.According to official statistics, only 8% of South Africans are mother-tongueEnglish speakers, yet English is the chief language of learning and teachingin South African schools. Researchers relate the poor pass rate toinadequate proficiency in English of both English First Additional Languagelearners and some of their teachers. Research has further revealed asignificant positive correlation between reading comprehension and academicachievement.Consensus exists among researchers about the necessity of a basicvocabulary (variously estimated at 2000 to 3000 words and more) fordeveloping the necessary reading comprehension. Theories and approachesregarding the development of vocabulary, however, are sometimesdiametrically opposed to one another. Among the most conflicting theoriesare those which advocate the acquisition of vocabulary by guessing themeanings of words from the context as opposed to those favouring consciousand deliberate vocabulary teaching, which may include lists of words.The current study briefly investigates underlying problems, theories,methods and approaches to enhancing learners' vocabularies. Conclusionsare applied to the development of an interactive, multimedia program forimproving learners' functional vocabularies. The content of the program isbased on authentic texts and simulations of situations which call for languageinteraction. This is supplemented with extracts from classical literary worksand poetry and entertaining verses which present possibilities for use invocabulary building.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University