Abstract
Although textbooks are a major source in language learning, few research studies explored to what extent vocabulary input in ESL textbooks supports English language learning. The present study compares the vocabulary input of two English textbooks prescribed for Indian university undergraduate students. A corpus is constructed using online software based on the words in the textbooks. Comparison of frequency against different corpora reveals the differences in the order of words. The results are discussed both from a quantitative and a qualitative perspective. The analysis reveals that many words in the textbooks occasionally occur in common everyday language use and vocabulary selection in these textbooks demonstrates great variation in the number and selection of vocabulary. Therefore, the study confirms that the communication needs of learners are afforded greater weight than frequency criteria.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0969/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
Highlights
Course designers can refer to wordlists when they consider the vocabulary component of a language course and the teachers need to have reference lists to judge whether a particular word deserves attention as frequency provides a key indication of their importance
Concerning language textbook designers, this study provided an analysis of two textbooks, which, hopefully, should make teaching material designers reflect on the need to follow common objectives
As textbooks provide students with different kinds of input, and that this difference may have an effect on language learning, so teachers need to find out what criteria are used in vocabulary selection
Summary
Muthyala Udaya VOCABULARY INPUT IN ESL TEXTBOOKS: A CORPUS-BASED ANALYSIS frequency count in English was started for making word lists. Since the initiation of word counting made by Kaeding (mentioned by Engels 1968), there have been several developments and innovations in the study of word frequency. A few important works include Thorndike's Teacher's Word Book in 1921 (Bright and McGregor 1970), Michael West's A General Service List of English Words (1953), the work of Kučera and Francis (1967). Development of computerized corpora, word frequency study has been "revolutionized" (Read 2004: 156); and very large size corpora have been established in this way, from which more reliable, authentic, and up-to-date word lists based on frequency counts have been prepared. English word lists based on the British National Corpus, COBUILD Corpus, and Cambridge International Corpus are worth mentioning
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
