Lexical Competence Research Articles

Classification of Spoken Errors Regarding the Communicative Competencies

Errors are inevitable in the foreign language learning process. They are indications to educators of the unlearnt knowledge and problematic areas of the learners. For this reason, it is important to investigate and classify the most frequent errors produced by non-native speakers of English. The present research investigated the spoken errors of university level learners. A classification of spoken errors using the Common European Framework for Language’s (CEFL) (2001) on the communicative language competences was developed to shed light into the difficulties which learners experience in their learning progress. Data were collected from 40 EFL learners through in class observations and recordings. The results of revealed that the most prevalent errors were produced in the main category of linguistic competences. Within the linguistic competence the most prevalent errors were produced in the sub category of lexical competence followed by grammatical competence, functional competence, phonological competence, sociolinguistic competence, pragmatic competence and lastly semantic competence. The findings have implications for educators to understand the problems which learners encounter and set more realistic expectations for themselves and their learners.

La enseñanza de los gestos emblemáticos en la competencia léxico-semántica: una propuesta para el aula de ELE

En este trabajo se aboga por la incorporación de los gestos emblemáticos en los contenidos que deben enseñarse en la clase de ELE. A partir de las características lingüísticas de estos gestos y el léxico, así como en la similitud de los procesos cognitivos que aparecen en el aprendizaje de ambos, se defiende la integración de los emblemas dentro del desarrollo de la competencia léxica. Para ello, se ofrecen una serie de criterios de graduación en los diferentes niveles de lengua y de integración en el aula que faciliten la tarea docente a la hora de su incorporación en los programas y materiales didácticos. Además, se ahonda en algunas consideraciones que deben tenerse en cuenta a la hora de trabajar estos gestos interculturalmente, es decir, comparando el código gestual materno y el del español, e intraculturalmente, esto es, reconociendo diferencias dentro del mundo panhispánico.

The concept of "lexical competence" in modern methodology of teaching foreign languages

The article examines the process, conditions and stages of acquisition of lexical competence by students in the process of learning foreign languages. One of the basic conditions of lexical competence is the work of students with authentic materials. The criteria of using authentic audio- and videomaterials, that will positively influence the process of learning grammatical and lexical elements of a foreign language by students, are investigated. The purpose of this article is the search and approbation of the most effective methods and means of learning English using authentic English videomaterials that will contribute to the successful development of lexical competence in students. The topicality of the research lies in the fact that the main task for students in the process of learning a foreign language is the acquisition of lexical competence, which is a component of communicative competence. The object is the lexical competence and the subject of the study is the process of the acquisition of lexical competence with the help of the authentic materials. The problem concerning the Ukrainian system of education is that the students possess a number of competences (theoretical knowledge), but are not able to apply them into practice (in the context of our study, students are not able to freely operate foreign language units and use them in real-life situations). The work of students with properly selected authentic materials (according to the students' age, level of knowledge, interests, topic and objectives of a lesson) facilitates students' acquisition of lexical competence and stimulates them to motivational activity.

The technique for development of lexical competence based on authentic texts on a specialty

The subject of this article is the technique for development of lexical competence based on authentic texts on a specialty on the example of foreign language. The goal consists in systematization and approbation of the techniques for development of lexical competence based on the texts on a specialty in the nonlinguistic educational institution. The process of teaching technical vocabulary is inseparably related to main stages of the work with authentic technical texts. Emphasis is made on the communicative types of tasks contributing to the development of verbal skills and more efficient digestion of specialty vocabulary. An experiment was selected as methodology for this research. The article describes the key aspects of teaching technical foreign language in a nonlinguistic educational institution, as well as reveals the importance of formation of active vocabulary among the students of technical specialties. The novelty lies in systematization of comprehensive approach towards increasing the level of lexical competence among the students of nonlinguistic educational facilities based on authentic texts on a specialty. The application of authentic texts on a specialty for increasing lexical competence would contribute to the improvement of learning process of a foreign language.

Cognitive interest as a condition for acquiring lexical competence in English

Cognitive interest as a condition for acquiring lexical competence in English

Вправи і завдання для словникової роботи учнів 1 класу ЗЗСО з навчанням мовами національних меншин у підручниках з української мови

The article focuses on the essence of the word as the basic unit of language (its multidimensionality, versatility in the nature of functions), such concepts as a token, word form, lexical meaning of the word. The importance of vocabulary work and its specificity in teaching Ukrainian as a state language are emphasized. The essence of lexical competence, specificity of vocabulary volume according to the level of language proficiency are considered. The content of valid textbooks on Ukrainian language for the 1st grade of general secondary education institutions with teaching in Romanian, Hungarian, Russian languages for content of topics for the study of vocabulary, exercises and tasks for vocabulary is analyzed. Ideas for improving the efficiency of the vocabulary work process in the 1st grade of general secondary education institutions with teaching in languages of national minorities are suggested. In particular, it introduces educators to the various textbooks used in education institutions with teaching in languages of national minorities to borrow methodological findings; revision of vocabulary to study and increase the proportion of verbs, adjectives, prepositions and, at the same time, increase of forms (nouns, verbs, adjectives); systematic use of didactic games to consolidate the learned words; periodic repetition of lessons learned during previous word lessons; familiarizing pupils with phrases, managing their use; supplementing and constructing sentences by pupils; with the purpose of more effective updating of the dictionary of children acquaintance with texts of different genres (fairy tales, stories, patter-words, riddles); the collective writing of small stories and the creation of a re-enactment of episodes from pupils’ lives; use of color commenting, drawing, modeling, application creation; implementation of projects (for example, “Zoo”, “Our Garden”, “Supermarket”, etc.). It is emphasized on the expediency of their implementation by displaying in the content of textbooks in Ukrainian language and relevant educational manuals, didactic materials.

Lexical competence of future english teachers

Lexical competence of future english teachers

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ ЛЕКСИЧЕСКИХ НАВЫКОВ У СЛУШАТЕЛЕЙ ПРОГРАММЫ «ПЕРЕВОДЧИК В СФЕРЕ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ КОММУНИКАЦИИ» ПРИ РАБОТЕ С ЭЛЕКТРОННЫМИ ОНЛАЙН-СЛОВАРЯМИ В ПРОЦЕССЕ ПРОХОЖДЕНИЯ ПЕРЕВОДЧЕСКОЙ ПРАКТИКИ

Foreign language competence formation includes several components. One of them is lexical skills formation. This article focuses on the use of online dictionaries in the process of translation practice conducted by second-year students mastering the program "Translator in the field of professional communication" at Samara State Technical University as an effective tool for the formation and development lexical competence. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficiency degree of using various electronic lexicographic systems in the lexical skills formation. In our work, we compared online dictionaries for their optimal use in the perspective of analyzing the results that were presented by the listeners, since the use of traditional media is questioned. The article also provides the criteria with the help of which a detailed analysis of online dictionaries was carried out. The data obtained can suggest the teachers all the possible lexical problems of study that will allow them to work out these points more carefully when teaching students. The English language teaching process becomes more adapted and customized, taking into account specific tasks that are important to solve when mastering any foreign language. Moreover, it is possible to create a dictionary created either by the students themselves or the teacher that introduces variants of lexical units that cause difficulties in learning.

The relationship between contrastive lexical competence, willingness to communicate, and emotional intelligence: the case of Iranian EFL learners

Significant arguments have been put forward concerning the significance of willingness to communicate (WTC) and emotional intelligence (EI) in language learning and teaching. Owing to the fact that both lexical chunks and translation seem to positively influence EFL learners' emotions by putting them at ease in dealing with psychological challenges, it may be wise to explore the prominence of contrastive lexical competence (CLC) in relation to WTC and EI among EFL learners. This study investigated the presence of possible relationships among CLC, WTC, and EI. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, 90 upper intermediate IELTS students (18 to 45 years old) were selected from two English institutions (Ariana and Amene) in Ahvaz and Khorramshahr respectively on the basis of their QPT scores. Regarding the purpose of this study, statistical Pearson correlation coefficient (r), multiple regression, and partial correlations were applied. The data analysis of the results revealed significant relationships among the three variables. It was also found that EFL learners' CLC scores are more accurately predicted by their EI scores than their WTC scores. The findings of this study may be quite telling to language learners and teachers in that they may better appreciate the crucial role of CLC in their educational practices.

ESTRATÉGIAS DE APRENDIZAGEM DE LÉXICO: COMO ESTAS VARIAM SEGUNDO O SEXO E A IDADE?

RESUMO: Ao longo do processo de ensino-aprendizagem de uma língua estrangeira (LE) espera-se que o aluno adquira e desenvolva as suas competências linguísticas com o fim de aprender a comunicar. Nesse processo, o léxico é um dos elementos fundamentais de aprendizagem pelo fato de ser a base do ato comunicativo, sem o qual não há comunicação. No desenvolvimento da competência lexical, os falantes recorrem, consciente ou inconscientemente, a uma série de estratégias de aprendizagem com o propósito de promover positivamente o seu conhecimento lexical. Com o objetivo de conhecer como os alunos de português como língua estrangeira, cuja língua materna é o espanhol, aprendem palavras, que estratégias usam e que fatores dificultam a sua aprendizagem, realizamos, em contexto de aula, um questionário que serviu de reflexão sobre o tema. O tratamento dos dados permitiu conhecer as estratégias mais usadas pelos alunos de três Escolas Oficiais de Idiomas e comprovar as diferenças existentes entre homens e mulheres relativamente às estratégias usadas na aprendizagem do léxico e se essa seleção sofre variações significativas segundo a idade dos informantes.

Building lexical competence of learners on English lessons

Building lexical competence of learners on English lessons

The relationship between contrastive lexical competence, willingness to communicate, and emotional intelligence: the case of Iranian EFL learners

Significant arguments have been put forward concerning the significance of willingness to communicate (WTC) and emotional intelligence (EI) in language learning and teaching. Owing to the fact that both lexical chunks and translation seem to positively influence EFL learners' emotions by putting them at ease in dealing with psychological challenges, it may be wise to explore the prominence of contrastive lexical competence (CLC) in relation to WTC and EI among EFL learners. This study investigated the presence of possible relationships among CLC, WTC, and EI. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, 90 upper intermediate IELTS students (18 to 45 years old) were selected from two English institutions (Ariana and Amene) in Ahvaz and Khorramshahr respectively on the basis of their QPT scores. Regarding the purpose of this study, statistical Pearson correlation coefficient (r), multiple regression, and partial correlations were applied. The data analysis of the results revealed significant relationships among the three variables. It was also found that EFL learners' CLC scores are more accurately predicted by their EI scores than their WTC scores. The findings of this study may be quite telling to language learners and teachers in that they may better appreciate the crucial role of CLC in their educational practices.

МОБІЛЬНІ ДОДАТКИ ЯК ЗАСОБИ ФОРМУВАННЯ ІНШОМОВНОЇ ЛЕКСИЧНОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ СТУДЕНТІВ НЕФІЛОЛОГІЧНИХ СПЕЦІАЛЬНОСТЕЙ

У статті розглянуто проблему формування іншомовної лексичної компетентності студентів нефілологічних спеціальностей. Встановлено, що іншомовна лексична компетентність є основою іншомовної комунікативної компетентності, що, своєю чергою, є обов’язковим компонентом підготовки майбутнього фахівця. Обґрунтовано актуальність використання мобільних технологій у процесі навчання іноземної мови студентів з метою підвищення якісного рівня лексичної компетентності. Встановлено, що мобільне навчання як інноваційний напрямок електронного навчання має значну перевагу перед традиційними методами навчання внаслідок інтенсифікації самостійної діяльності, індивідуалізації навчання, підвищення пізнавальної активності й мотивації навчання. Використання мобільних пристроїв сприяє поєднанню праці, навчання і вільного часу, дає змогу в будь-який час і в будь-якому місці вчитися в реальному контексті. Розглянуто теоретико-методичні умови формування іншомовної лексичної компетентності студентів засобами мобільних додатків. Проведено аналіз мобільних додатків для вивчення іноземної мови. Встановлено, що немає однозначного підходу до розроблення та впровадження спеціалізованих мобільних додатків для вивчення іноземної мови, орієнтованих на специфіку майбутньої професійної діяльності студентів. У результаті дослідження були розроблені структура, функціонал і дизайн мобільного додатка для вивчення англійської мови студентами комп’ютерних спеціальностей. Розроблено мобільний додаток для формування англомовної лексичної компетентності для операційної системи Android за допомогою інтегрованого середовища розробки мобільних додатків Android Studio. Здійснено експериментальну перевірку результативності застосування на заняттях з іноземної мови мобільних додатків, орієнтованих на специфіку майбутньої професійної діяльності студентів. Підтверджено позитивний вплив спеціалізованих мобільних додатків на рівень володіння студентами іншомовною професійною лексикою.

O texto em verso no desenvolvimento da competência lexical em aula de português língua estrangeira

Percorrendo alguns estudos acerca da exploração didática de textos literários, entre eles, o texto em verso, compreendemos que a sua inclusão em aula de língua estrangeira (LE) tem variado no último século, consoante o enfoque metodológico predominante. A nosso ver, a utilização da literatura com um fim didático e a crescente revalorização do texto em verso como recurso didático no processo de ensino-aprendizagem de uma LE e não como objeto de estudo literário, representa um assunto de máxima atualidade, nomeadamente no campo anglo-saxónico e da língua espanhola. A natureza metafórica do género poético, a acumulação de significações implícitas e explícitas e a abundância de imagens poéticas que permitem a exploração de diferentes temáticas lexicais e do léxico presente no poema, favorecem o desenvolvimento da competência lexical. Para além disso, sendo a poesia capaz de sensibilizar o ser humano, poderá contribuir para a formação pessoal dos aprendentes.

La disponibilidad léxica como instrumento de evaluación léxica de aprendices griegos de ELE

La prueba de la disponibilidad léxica se concibe como una herramienta de recogida de datos que pueden servir para distintos objetivos. Este trabajo pretende profundizar en la aplicación de esta técnica a la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera (ELE) y específicamente a la evaluación de la competencia léxica de los estudiantes. En concreto, nuestro objetivo es comprobar si la prueba de disponibilidad léxica puede servir, por un lado, como herramienta de evaluación del desarrollo del tamaño del léxico productivo del área temática analizada, y por otro, como prueba de diagnóstico del conocimiento productivo del léxico temático analizado desde una perspectiva cuantitativa y cualitativa.

Didáctica del español con fines médicos y estrategias para el desarrollo de la competencia léxica

Para planificar una propuesta didáctica de Español para Fines Específicos (EFE) es importante establecer los contenidos léxicos y desarrollar la competencia léxica mediante estrategias que permitan integrar las diferentes destrezas. Por consiguiente, el primer objetivo planteado se enfoca en una reflexión del papel del léxico y el análisis de los mecanismos de almacenamiento y acceso para la adquisición de dicha competencia. Asimismo, se analizan las técnicas de desarrollo de los contenidos léxicos en el ámbito especializado de la Medicina, elaborándose una propuesta didáctica centrada en la enseñanza y aprendizaje de la terminología médica con el enfoque por tareas. Las tareas elaboradas muestran que el aprendizaje del léxico debe producirse mediante estrategias que fomenten la reflexión, fijación y uso de las unidades terminológicas en dicho ámbito especializado.

Quality of Lithuanian Language of Native and Non-native Students

The aim of the paper is to answer the questions about the extent of specific types of errors in Lithuanian and non-Lithuanian students’ performance on the same test and what it can say about native speakers’ and non-native speakers’ Lithuanian competence. Research material was a C-test completed by 326 third grade pupils of 6 Gymnasiums in Vilnius. There were 127 Lithuanian, 96 Polish, and 103 Russian pupils aged between 16–17. A total of 19,560 test items were analysed combining quantitative and qualitative error analysis methods.Data analysis leads to the following conclusions:1. The analysis of the extent of the errors revealed that the two non-native speaker groups are similar. The native speaker group made significantly fewer errors in all categories. The results of the analysis of the nature of errors suggest that, in principle, grammatical competence of non-native speakers is closer to that of native speakers than lexical competence.2. An examination of the same problematic points for all three groups reveals that, in most cases, both native and non-native speakers make the same mistakes, but non-native speakers make more of them. This suggests that the skills which differentiate between native speakers are the ones that are more difficult to develop for non-native speakers as well.3. Non-native speakers have a narrower vocabulary than native speakers, they make more lexical mistakes. However, it should also be noted that native speaker performance is also dominated by lexical errors.4. Analysis of the most problematic points revealed that grammar mistakes in such cases are more often made by native speakers than by non-native speakers. These grammatical mistakes are probably due to the lack of strong ability of native speakers to see beyond the words immediately following each other, to take into account more complex constructions, long sentences and to understand the logic of the text.

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ И ОСНОВНЫЕ ПРИНЦИПЫ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОГО ИНОЯЗЫЧНОГО ВОКАБУЛЯРА У СТУДЕНТОВ СПЕЦИАЛЬНОСТИ «МЕТАЛЛУРГИЯ»

The article reveals the peculiarities of teaching a foreign language to technical students. The authors justify the thesis that foreign-language lexical competence is an integral component of professional communicative competence. The content of foreign-language terminological vocabulary is ascertained taking into account the professional needs of “Metallurgy” speciality students. The basic principles of teaching foreign-language professional vocabulary at the initial stage are identified. These principles form a basis of teaching professional vocabulary.

ОСНОВИ ФОРМУВАННЯ ЛЕКСИЧНОЇ КОМПЕТЕНЦІЇ МАЙБУТНІХ УЧИТЕЛІВ ПОЧАТКОВОЇ ШКОЛИ ЗАДЛЯ ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ В УМОВАХ ДІАЛЕКТНОГО СЕРЕДОВИЩА

Статтю присвячено питанню формування лексичної компетенції майбутніх учителів початкової школи, зокрема задля їхньої успішної професійної діяльності в умовах діалектного середовища.
 Розглянуто низку визначень поняття «лексична компетенція» як вагомої складової комунікативної компетентності, проаналізовано погляди сучасних лінгводидактів на проблему формування лексичної компетенції молодших школярів і студентів спеціальності «Початкова освіта».
 Опрацювання наукових лінгводидактичних праць дало змогу авторові виокремити низку складових поняття «лексична компетенція» загалом і «лексична компетенція учителя початкової школи» зокрема; визначено пріоритетні напрямки роботи у системі підготовки студентів спеціальності «Початкова освіта» до педагогічної діяльності в умовах діалектного середовища.
 Обґрунтовано необхідність уведення у систему підготовки студентів педагогічних ВНЗ тем і дисциплін, спрямованих на формування готовності майбутніх учителів мови до роботи в умовах місцевих говірок.
 Зважаючи на вагомість порушеної проблеми для удосконалення системи підготовки майбутніх учителів початкової школи, як і методики формування мовної особистості молодших школярів, і водночас на недостатнє її опрацювання у педагогічних наукових і методичних джерелах, маємо на меті розглянути особливості формування лексичної компетенції студентів спеціальності «Початкова освіта» у системі їхньої підготовки до професійної діяльності в умовах місцевих говірок.
 Методологічними засадами дослідження є науково-концептуальні положення про взаємозв’язок мови і мовлення, їх визначальне місце і роль у мовному розвитку особистості, концепції побудови освіти на засадах формування національно свідомої мовної особистості.
 Отже, формуванню лексичної компетенції належить провідне місце у системі мовної підготовки майбутніх учителів початкової школи.

Imageability effect on the functional brain activity during a naming to definition task

Lexical competence includes both the ability to relate words to the external world as accessed through (mainly) visual perception (referential competence) and the ability to relate words to other words (inferential competence). We investigated the role of visual imagery in lexical inferential competence by using an auditory version of an inferential naming-to-definition task, in which visual imageability of both definitions and target words was manipulated. A visual imageability-related brain activity (bilateral posterior-parietal lobe and ventrotemporal cortex, including fusiform gyrus) was found during a “pure” inferential performance. The definition effect in high vs. low imageability contrast suggests that a visual-imagery strategy is spontaneously activated during the retrieval of a word from a high imageable definition; such an effect appears to be independent of whether the target word is high or low imageable. This contributes to the understanding of the neural correlates of semantic processing and the differential role of spontaneous visual imagery, depending on the semantic properties of the processed stimuli.