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Exploring the relationship between productive vocabulary knowledge and second language oral ability

(2016) Exploring the relationship between productive vocabulary knowledge and second language oral ability. Language Learning Journal , 47 pp. 64-75. 10.1080/09571736.2016.1191527. Green open access

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Abstract

The current study investigated the extent to which L2 learners’ productive vocabulary knowledge could predict multiple dimensions of spontaneous speech production. A total of 39 English as a foreign language (EFL) participants with varying L2 proficiency levels first completed a productive vocabulary knowledge task (Lex30). Their spontaneous speech, elicited via a series of picture description tasks, was then assessed for comprehensibility (i.e. ease of understanding), accentedness (i.e. linguistic nativelikeness) and fluency (i.e. speech rate). The findings showed that the productive vocabulary scores significantly correlated with L2 fluency, but not with comprehensibility or accentedness. These results suggest that more proficient L2 learners, as measured by productive vocabulary scores, may speak spontaneously with fewer pauses and repetitions, and at a faster tempo. Finally, future research directions are discussed with a focus on the relationships between vocabulary knowledge and speaking.

Type: Article
Title: Exploring the relationship between productive vocabulary knowledge and second language oral ability
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2016.1191527
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2016.1191527
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Productive vocabulary knowledge, L2 vocabulary, L2 speaking, comprehensibility
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education > IOE - Culture, Communication and Media
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10066028
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