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Teaching Vocabulary in the EFL Context

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English Language Teaching Today

Part of the book series: English Language Education ((ELED,volume 5))

Abstract

Teaching vocabulary in the English as a foreign language (EFL) context is challenging. Incidental vocabulary learning is limited due to a lack of second language (L2) input, and most words are learned through classroom instruction. Overall, research has shown marginal L2 vocabulary growth in many EFL situations. Such research indicates a need for a more effective and efficient approach to teaching vocabulary in the EFL context. This chapter discusses how to optimise vocabulary learning in the EFL context. It touches on the following questions: Which words should be taught? How should vocabulary be taught? How many words do EFL learners need to know? What should a vocabulary-learning programme include? How can vocabulary learning be fostered given limited classroom time? Which activities might be useful in indirect vocabulary learning?

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Anna Siyanova-Chanturia

  2. Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Stuart Webb

Authors
  1. Anna Siyanova-Chanturia
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  2. Stuart Webb
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anna Siyanova-Chanturia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of English Language & Literature, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

    Willy A. Renandya

  2. Department of English, Politeknik Negeri Jember, Jember, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

    Handoyo Puji Widodo

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Siyanova-Chanturia, A., Webb, S. (2016). Teaching Vocabulary in the EFL Context. In: Renandya, W., Widodo, H. (eds) English Language Teaching Today. English Language Education, vol 5. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38834-2_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38834-2_16

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-38832-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-38834-2

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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