2Vocabulary Learning Approaches
Since vocabulary is the heart of mastering a foreign language, it is necessary to discuss vocabulary learning approaches. Before starting this section, however, it should be made clear that there is no ‘right’ or ‘best’ approach for vocabulary learning (Schmitt 2000, p. 142). The best practice in any situation will depend on the type of student, the words that are targeted, the school system and curriculum, and many other factors. According to Nation (1990, p. 2); Rubin and Thompson (1994, p.79); Richek et al. (1996, p. 203), there are two general ways in which learners learn vocabulary: the direct vocabulary learning approach, and the indirect vocabulary learning approach.
We can see that language learners may learn vocabulary incidentally through director/and indirect vocabulary learning; however, it is impossible to teach everything learners may face. Since learners not only learn vocabulary intentionally as part of the course requirements but also gain knowledge of words incidentally through their reading and listening; therefore both direct and indirect vocabulary learning approaches are very useful and essential for them to learn and acquire vocabulary items. Learners also learn vocabulary items when vocabulary items are explicitly taught, not only individual words but also vocabulary learning strategies. Some vocabulary should be taught directly even though a great deal of vocabulary is learned indirectly.