Learning L2 Vocabulary through Extensive Reading: A Measurement Study

<p> Many language courses now offer access to simplified materials graded at various levels of proficiency so that learners can read at length in their new language. An assumed benefit is the development of large and rapidly accessed second language (L2) lexicons. Studies of such extensive reading (ER) programs indicate general language gains, but few examine vocabulary growth; none identify the words available for learning in an entire ER program or measure the extent to which participants learn them. This article describes a way of tackling this measurement challenge using electronic scanning, lexical frequency profiling, and individualized checklist testing. The method was pilot tested in an ER program where 21 ESL learners freely chose books that interested them. The innovative methodology proved to be feasible to implement and effective in assessing word knowledge gains. Growth rates were higher than those found in earlier studies. Research applications of the flexible corpus-based approach are discussed.</p><p> Dans de nombreux cours de langue, on met dorénavant à la disposition des apprenants des textes simplifiés, adaptés à leur niveau de compétence linguistique, pour leur permettre ainsi de lire de plus longs textes dans la nouvelle langue. Les études qui ont évalué ce type de programme de lecture extensive (LE) ont révélé des gains en compétence générale, mais très peu de ces études ont examiné les gains au niveau du vocabulaire, et aucune n'a identifié les mots disponibles pour l'apprentissage dans un programme complet de LE ou évalué dans quelle mesure ces mots ont été appris par les participants. Le présent article décrit une méthode pour relever le défi que présente ce type d'étude : à l'aide d'un numériseur, de profils de fréquence lexicale, et de tests individualisés constitués de réponses à cocher. Un essai pilote a été effectué dans un programme de LE où 21 apprenants d'anglais langue seconde avaient libre choix de livres qui les intéressaient. La méthodologie s'est révélée applicable et efficace pour évaluer les gains en connaissances lexicales. Selon cette méthode, des gains plus importants ont été relevés dans la présente étude que dans les études antérieures. Les réalisations de recherche de l'approche-recueil flexible sont abordées.</p>

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