Journal Article

Pre-learning low-frequency vocabulary in second language television programmes

Webb, Stuart

2010

Overview

This study investigated the potential of pre-learning frequently occurring low-frequency vocabulary as a means to increase comprehension of television and incidental vocabulary learning through watching television. Eight television programmes, each representing different television genres, were analysed using the RANGE program to determine the 10 most frequent low-frequency word-families in each programme and the coverage that they represented. The results showed that coverage of the 10 most frequent low-frequency word-families ranged from 0.70% to 3.91%, coverage of the most frequent 3,000 to 3,999 word-families ranged from 0.22% to 2.58%, and coverage of the 4,000 to 4,999 word-families ranged from 0.35% to 1.96%. This result shows the relative value of pre-learning vocabulary in television programmes and provides a strong argument for pre-learning vocabulary. The findings also suggested that if learners knew the most frequent 3,000 word-families and pre-learned low-frequency vocabulary, comprehension and incidental vocabulary learning may increase.

• Publisher: SAGE Publications,Sage Publications Ltd
• Subject: Achievement Gains / Comprehension / Educational research / Educational Resources / English (Second Language) / Families & family life / Family (Sociological Unit) / Incidental Learning / Independent study / Knowledge / Language / Learning / Learning Motivation / Learning Strategies / Linguistics / Listening Comprehension / Literature Reviews / Nouns / Programming (Broadcast) / Reading comprehension / Second Language Learning / Second language vocabulary learning / Students / Studies / Teaching Methods / Television / Television programs / Television viewing / Transcripts (Written Records) / Visual Aids / Vocabulary / Vocabulary Development / Vocabulary Learning / Word Frequency