Vocabulary teaching and learning is a constant challenge for teachers as well as students
because historically there has been minimal focus on vocabulary instruction in the ESL
classroom. Due to this, an increased emphasis on vocabulary development is crucial for the
English language learner in the process of language learning. According to Colorado (2007, as
cited in Adger, 2002) the average native English speaker enters nursery school knowing at least
5,000 words while the average English language learner may know 5,000 words in his/ her
native language but only a few words in English. The reality is that native speakers continue to
learn new words while English language learners face the double challenge of building that
foundation and closing that language gap. The following table indicates how many words are
needed for effective communication in an L2.
LEVEL NUMBER OF WORDS T