Evaluating word lists against word frequency, lexical age-of-acquisition and concreteness

Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy of three criteria, i.e., word frequency, lexical age-of-acquisition (lexical AoA), and concreteness, in evaluating English word lists constructed primarily for the purpose of second-language acquisition. The word lists chosen for evaluation were the New General Service List (New-GSL) and the Academic Vocabulary List (AVL), which are utilized internationally in second-language research, and they were compared against two English word lists that have been widely adopted in China. Statistical analyses revealed that word frequency and lexical AoA were collectively effective in classifying word lists constructed for speakers of different levels of proficiency, e.g., the New-GSL vs the AVL. Furthermore, each of the three criteria appeared to independently qualify the differences between words lists. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating cognitive factors, e.g., lexical AoA and concreteness, into second-language research and theories, which help to specify the characteristics and pinpoint the limitations of word lists in light of the underlying mechanisms of language acquisition and development.