HENK03919U English - Free topic 2: Vocabulary learning inside and outside the language teaching classroom

In recent years more and more researchers and language teachers have stressed the central role of vocabulary knowledge for language use and language learning. In the course, current theories of lexical competence, vocabulary acquisition and vocabulary teaching will be presented and discussed. Firstly, we will try to define and describe lexical competence and the importance of vocabulary knowledge for language use. We will then investigate how learners learning a second- or a foreign language acquire, store and retrieve vocabulary from the mental lexicon. One of the crucial questions here is how we can ensure that newly learnt vocabulary items are remembered and made available for production and reception. Moreover the role of incidental vocabulary learning through reading will be explored. Finally, we will discuss a number of pedagogical issues relating to a more systematic integration of vocabulary learning in language teaching, e.g. various teaching methods and vocabulary tasks. Throughout the course the question of different research approaches will be addressed. For some of the participants the course might provide inspiration for research projects in relation to their MA thesis ('speciale'). The course will be conducted using a mixture of lectures, group work and discussion sessions. Course material will be based on a course book and a number of empirical research articles.