Extensive reading of digital science resources and the potential for incidental learning of vocabulary useful to language learners in secondary school

Developing a rich vocabulary repertoire in English is an essential achievement for young learners acquiring English as a second language (ESL) as having a strong word knowledge base supports the development of the four language skills in the second language. Most studies on vocabulary learning, however, have been conducted with adult learners at the college levels. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of different instructional techniques (incidental learning and intentional learning) on vocabulary acquisition among young ESL learners. The participants were 99 students between 10-11 years old in a Malaysian Tamil primary school. Stratified sampling was applied, and the subjects were divided into 3 groups; a control group and two experimental groups: extensive reading (ER) and extensive reading plus vocabulary enhancement (ER+). The ER group received treatment involving extensive reading of storybooks while, the ER+ group received treatments involving extensive reading of storybooks and vocabulary enhancement activities. The treatments were conducted as after-class activities. The control group did not attend the after-class activity but continued with regular class activities. The vocabulary levels test (VLT) was administered to all groups before and after the treatment to measure the significant difference between the three groups. The results show a significant gain for both the experimental groups with the ER+ group having higher means in both the post-test and delayed post-test scores. However, there was no gain recorded for the control group. The study provides evidence that extensive reading can enhance vocabulary learning but the blending with vocabulary enhancement activities was more effective. Keywords: I ncidental learning ; intentional learning ; extensive reading ; vocabulary learning; graded readers

Despite increasing number of studies on incidental vocabulary learning through viewing in a foreign language, glosses, which have been proven to have facilitative effects in incidental vocabulary learning via other modes of input, have remained underexplored in audiovisual input. The current study investigates the effects of (1) traditional gloss (TG), (2) multiple-choice gloss (MCG) and (3) no gloss (NG) conditions on incidental L2 vocabulary learning through viewing animated short videos. Turkish-L1 upper-intermediate to advanced EFL learners (N = 127), who were randomly assigned to three conditions, watched three short, animated videos twice. The results revealed that while the MCG group and the TG group significantly outperformed the NG group in vocabulary meaning recall test, there was not a significant difference between the glossed conditions. The results also suggested that the participants learnt new words through interacting with MCGs. Furthermore, the participants’ prior vocabulary knowledge positively correlated with incidental vocabulary learning from the videos. The results are discussed within the framework of previous research and the Involvement Load Hypothesis.

Extensive reading (ER) in EFL is an approach to language learning that involves reading as much as possible for pleasure or information. ER improves reading speed and vocabulary acquisition and helps develop positive attitudes towards reading in general. The widespread use of digital devices such as mobile phones and tablets in and out of school has considerably widened the reading possibilities for EFL learners. ER through mobile devices is an emerging area of study and this chapter aims to contribute to the research by investigating its effects on vocabulary learning and student attitudes towards using mobile devices for their reading. The study records the results of an e-book ER programme at lower secondary school level in the Milan metropolitan area in Italy. The participants were 72 11-year-old students from two state schools. The students read 16 e-books at CEFR A1 and A2 levels over the course of eight months alongside the standard EFL school programme. Following a mixed method approach, the teachers, who were also researchers, asked students to complete a test on vocabulary items selected from the e-books both pre- and post-programme. Results from the analysis of vocabulary tests and questionnaires show positive effects of e-reading on incidental vocabulary learning and increased motivation towards EFL reading on mobile devices.

Vocabulary learning is a crucial aspect of language acquisition, and it can occur incidentally or deliberately. Incidental learning (also known as unintentional learning) indicates learning new words while reading or listening to spoken language. Deliberate learning, on the other hand, involves the intentional effort to learn new words through activities such as studying vocabulary lists, using flashcards, practicing with vocabulary exercises, or using a dictionary Both incidental and deliberate vocabulary learning have their advantages and disadvantages. Incidental learning is more natural and occurs in a context, which makes it more likely that new words will be remembered and used correctly. However, it can also be unpredictable and unreliable, as learners may not encounter the same vocabulary frequently enough to remember it. Deliberate learning, on the other hand, is more systematic and provides learners with more control over their learning. However, it can be less engaging and may not always lead to the same depth of understanding as incidental learning. 80 secondary school students were randomly selected to take part in the study, and they were assigned to one of three groups: an experimental group that received instructions on deliberate vocabulary learning techniques, an experimental group that received instructions on incidental vocabulary learning techniques, and a control group that received no instructions. For two weeks, the experimental groups received six hours of instruction in their chosen vocabulary learning strategies. Students in the deliberate vocabulary learning group learned how to learn new words by using techniques like flashcards, making mnemonic devices, and practicing with vocabulary drills. The students in the incidental vocabulary learning group were instructed to use guessing strategies to determine the meaning of new words while reading or listening. All participants took a vocabulary test following the instruction period, which evaluated their retention of the definitions of the words they had learned. The outcomes revealed that both experimental groups outperformed the control group by a significant margin, demonstrating the efficacy of both deliberate and accidental vocabulary learning techniques for enhancing vocabulary acquisition. The deliberate and incidental vocabulary learning groups performed similarly, which is interesting because it suggests that both methods are equally effective. To investigate the long-term effects of deliberate and accidental vocabulary learning techniques, additional research is required. It is crucial to keep in mind that this study concentrated on short-term vocabulary acquisition. The results of this study demonstrate that both deliberate and accidental vocabulary learning strategies can enhance secondary school students' vocabulary acquisition. Both educators and students can combine the two approaches to develop a robust vocabulary in a foreign language.

Recent studies have explored English vocabulary learning in environments where students used mobile technologies for prescribed vocabulary learning tasks, or tested designed personalized learning systems to enhance student vocabulary learning for short periods of time in language related courses. Dictionary use via mobile devices has mostly been used for referential purposes. Referential use refers to applications that provide student access to content such as dictionaries, e-books, etc. at places where learning activities occur, taking advantage of the portability and mobility of mobile devices. Research on free student use of mobile devices to foster incidental vocabulary learning in non-English courses remains scant, and no in-depth studies have been carried out to investigate the value of dictionary use on mobile devices for incidental vocabulary learning in higher education. This one-year multiple-case study investigated undergraduate students' dictionary and other uses of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to enhance their incidental vocabulary learning in an English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) university. The research findings show: (a) the students made various uses of the PDA to improve their vocabulary learning, namely, referential, situated, constructive, reflective, explorative and conversing uses, (b) the students adopted integrated uses of the tools on the PDA and the computer for their incidental vocabulary learning, and (c) the integrated use of the PDA and the computer shaped the vocabulary learning activities and vice versa. These research results indicate that PDAs can be used in more flexible, novel and extended ways for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) vocabulary teaching and learning in higher education, taking student needs and contexts into consideration.

BackgroundDespite the potential of captioned videos, limited attention has been paid to the role of vocabulary knowledge (VK) and working memory (WM) in incidental vocabulary learning under different captioning conditions.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to bridge this gap by assessing VK and WM in incidental vocabulary learning under different captioning conditions.MethodsA total of 101 Chinese primary school students were assigned to one of the three conditions: watch fully captioned videos (n = 33), watch keyword captioned videos (n = 35), and watch videos without captions (n = 33). A vocabulary test measuring recognition and recall of form and meaning served as a pretest, posttest and delayed posttest. The learners also completed tests for VK and WM.Results and ConclusionsThe findings supported that both full captions and keyword captions made significant contributions to the incidental learning of form recognition and initial meaning recall and to the retention of form recognition but not of delayed meaning recall. The parameters of breadth and depth of VK and phonological WM impacted incidental vocabulary learning outcomes. The findings emphasized the important role of full captioning and keyword captioning for incidental vocabulary learning and the need to consider the role of VK and WM in incidental vocabulary learning from captioned videos.TakeawaysCaptioning is a promising tool for vocabulary learning, but individual differences in VK and WM should be considered to maximize the benefits of captioning on vocabulary learning.

There are several factors that affect incidental learning of vocabulary, which may explain why second language (L2) learners pick up vocabulary at different rates. Some of these factors are: lexical difficulty level of texts, word repetition, generative word uses, contextual richness, and salience. Beginning L2 learners should focus on intentional vocabulary learning, intermediate learners on vocabulary learning strategies so that they can effectively learn from contexts, and advanced learners on incidental vocabulary learning from extensive reading. In order to acquire vocabulary incidentally from reading and listening, L2 learners need to understand at least 98% of the words in written texts and spoken language. Teachers can increase their students' rates of incidental vocabulary learning, by exposing them to written and spoken texts that are level‐appropriate, clear, rich, and supportive and that provide enough repetition of the new words.

Through the introduction of different dimensions of vocabulary knowledge, various studies attempted to examine numerous effective factors on these dimensions. The present study aimed to show the effects of different vocabulary learning styles through extensive and intensive reading programs on depth and breadth aspects of vocabulary knowledge. To achieve this goal, 45 sophomore undergraduate students of English language teaching and translation in Payam-e-Noor University participated in this study. Initially, in order to homogenize the learners based on their level of language proficiency, MEPT was administered. Then, by measuring the mean and standard deviation of participants’ scores, the number of participants reduced to 35. The ultimate subjects’ scores on the reading comprehension items of MEPT show that they are all at the intermediate level of reading ability. Participants divided into three experimental groups randomly: two groups were in the extensive reading program with different form-focused and meaning-focused tasks as incidental vocabulary learning style. And the third group was in the intensive reading program as intentional vocabulary learning style. Participants in these experimental groups read long stories or passages per week with ten goal-oriented words. After 8 weeks, Word Associates Test (WAT) and Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (VKS) were administered to measure the acquired knowledge of new words and also, determining the effects of various learning styles on different dimensions of vocabulary knowledge. The results of Paired-samples and Independent T-tests revealed that both incidental and intentional groups developed in the period between the pre- and post-test, but, there was a significant difference between the effects of incidental vocabulary learning in the form of ER program and intentional vocabulary learning in the form of IR program. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the effects of the form-focused and meaning-focused task.

Through the introduction of different dimensions of vocabulary knowledge, various studies attempted to examine numerous effective factors on these dimensions. The present study aimed to show the effects of different vocabulary learning styles through extensive and intensive reading programs on depth and breadth aspects of vocabulary knowledge. To achieve this goal, 45 sophomore undergraduate students of English language teaching and translation in Payam-e-Noor University participated in this study. Initially, in order to homogenize the learners based on their level of language proficiency, MEPT was administered. Then, by measuring the mean and standard deviation of participants’ scores, the number of participants reduced to 35. The ultimate subjects’ scores on the reading comprehension items of MEPT show that they are all at the intermediate level of reading ability. Participants divided into three experimental groups randomly: two groups were in the extensive reading program with different form-focused and meaning-focused tasks as incidental vocabulary learning style. And the third group was in the intensive reading program as intentional vocabulary learning style. Participants in these experimental groups read long stories or passages per week with ten goal-oriented words. After 8 weeks, Word Associates Test (WAT) and Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (VKS) were administered to measure the acquired knowledge of new words and also, determining the effects of various learning styles on different dimensions of vocabulary knowledge. The results of Paired-samples and Independent T-tests revealed that both incidental and intentional groups developed in the period between the pre- and post-test, but, there was a significant difference between the effects of incidental vocabulary learning in the form of ER program and intentional vocabulary learning in the form of IR program. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the effects of the form-focused and meaning-focused task.

The present study focused on using the MoodleReader to promote extensive reading (ER) in an Iranian EFL context, emphasizing its effect on students' incidental vocabulary acquisition. Thirty eight Shiraz University sophomores were assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group used the MoodleReader for their ER program, while the control group followed the traditional ER curriculum, reading a small number of pre-assigned graded readers during the semester. Both groups were given Production and Recognition Vocabulary Levels Tests before and after the experiment. T-tests showed that using the MoodleReader improved the experimental group’s incidental vocabulary acquisition, having a stronger effect on production as compared to recognition vocabulary. Linear regression analyses were also run to determine the relationship between incidental vocabulary acquisition and the learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. The results indicated a significant relationship between the experimental group’s vocabulary production and their use of vocabulary learning strategies.

RoLo: A dictionary interface that minimizes extraneous cognitive load of lookup and supports incidental and incremental learning of vocabulary

This study aimed to investigate the development of Iraqi University EFL students’ lexical knowledge at the recognition and production level and to compare their performance concerning the two previous levels. It also aimed to measure their performance concerning the Academic Word List (AWL) proposed by Coxhead (2000). It appears that Iraqi Universities lack empirical evidence to determine students’ lexical knowledge growth regarding the English language, thus, this important aspect of language teaching is in the grey area. Therefore, this study tries to answer the following questions, firstly is to what extent the development of lexical knowledge which Iraqi EFL learners have approximately reached?, and secondly, does the level of lexical knowledge which Iraqi EFLs have gained enable them to use the language properly? The study was conducted by examining 120 undergraduate students from all stages at the Department of English language and Literature/ College of Arts/ Mustansiriyah University. The findings have proved that there is a significant development in lexical knowledge among the four stages of the department and it reached its peak at the fourth stage whose participants have scored higher than other stages in the test. Further, the findings demonstrated that the fourth stage undergraduate participants scored higher in the AWL. The other significant issue that this study has proved is that the incidental vocabulary learning is more efficient than the intentional vocabulary learning.

Incidental L2 vocabulary learning from viewing captioned videos: Effects of learner-related factors

This study addresses the issue of pedagogical techniques for extensive reading in secondary schools in Kenya at a time when concern is being expressed about declining reading habits in the institutions of learning. Learners nowadays have taken to social and mass media and rarely read anything extra outside the prescribed texts. Even the wide spread national examination malpractice witnessed recently could be traced to the decline in reading interest and poor reading habits among secondary school learners. Effective use of pedagogical extensive reading techniques can greatly improve learners’ achievement in English and also enhance their reading habits. This study was prompted by the observed poor reading in English by secondary schools learners in Laikipia County in Kenya. Among some of the possible explanations for this scenario are that students in the County did not adequately read books extensively coupled with other determinants that influence their performance in English. The study investigated the pedagogical techniques used by teachers to bolster extensive and pleasure reading habits. The study was guided by The Schema Theory. The descriptive survey research design was used for this study. Fifteen secondary schools in Laikipia County were sampled by proportional stratified sampling technique in five sub-counties across the county. Purposive sampling was used to sample 30 out of 80 (37.5%) English language teachers. Simple random sampling was used to sample 327 students out of about 2670 students (12.24%) in form 2 and 3 in the County. The research instruments used for data collection included: questionnaire for students, interview guides for teachers and documents analysis guide. The instruments were pilot tested to ensure validity and reliability in a co-educational secondary school in the neighbouring county that was not included in the study. The reliability of the questionnaire and interview guide was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient which was 0.871 which met the recommended threshold of 0.7 and above. Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics such as frequency, tables and percentages. Qualitative data were organized according to the study themes and presented descriptively on the basis of the study objectives. The analyzed data revealed various reading pedagogical techniques which included analysis of the title and the blurb before reading, formation of mental images while reading and writing book reviews after reading. Acute shortage of reading resources was a major hindrance to engagement in extensive reading in schools. The study recommended that schools should ground learners on reading techniques and also come up with strong extensive reading policy to promote independent reading. Keywords: Pedagogical techniques, Bolster, Extensive reading, Reading habits DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-6-23 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

This article overviews current research on second language vocabulary learning. It concludes that a large vocabulary is necessary to function in English: 8000—9000 word families for reading, and perhaps as many as 5000—7000 families for oral discourse. In addition, a number of word knowledge aspects need to be learned about each lexical item. Taken together, this amounts to a substantial lexical learning challenge, one which many/most learners fail to meet. To facilitate adequate vocabulary learning, four vocabulary learning partners (students, teachers, materials writers, and researchers) need to contribute to the learning process. Vocabulary learning programs need to include both an explicit, intentional learning component and a component based around maximizing exposure and incidental learning. The four learning strands (meaning-focused input, meaning-focused output, language-focused learning, and fluency development) suggested by Nation (2001) provide a structure by which to integrate intentional and incidental vocabulary learning. The overriding principle for maximizing vocabulary learning is to increase the amount of engagement learners have with lexical items. All four learning partners need to acknowledge the incremental nature of vocabulary learning, and to develop learning programs which are principled, long-term, and which recognize the richness and scope of the lexical knowledge that needs to be mastered.