Vocabulary plays a pivotal role in the ESL classroom. Whereas a considerable
amount of research has examined effective ESL vocabulary teaching and learning,
missing are studies that provide examples of how to put various research findings
into practice: that is, apply them to real texts including target vocabulary items.
In order to close the gap between research and practice, I reviewed a broad range
of relevant literature addressing vocabulary learning. Drawing on an authentic
Web reading text, in which I selected five vocabulary items as target words on the
basis of my experience as a secondary English teacher in Korea, I applied vocabulary
teaching strategies drawn from research findings reported in the literature to
provide a model for ESL teachers when putting theory into practice.
various activities can promote vocabulary learning.
to their proficiency levels. That is, whereas pictures and L1 equivalents
and controlled fill-in tasks are more appropriate at the beginning and intermediate
levels, less controlled tasks such as compositions and retellings may
be more suitable for the advanced level.