Second language vocabulary acquisition strategies

Vocabulary is the basic unit of language, and vocabulary acquisition plays an important role in language learning.

The famous British linguist D.A. Wilkins (1972) said: "Without grammar, people can't express many things; Without vocabulary, people cannot express anything. " This shows the importance of vocabulary in learning. This paper aims to analyze second language vocabulary acquisition strategies and apply them to learners of different levels. Learners choose correct acquisition methods and strategies according to their own level to learn vocabulary, thus improving learning efficiency and acquisition effect.

Keywords: second language vocabulary acquisition vocabulary acquisition strategy metacognitive strategy cognitive strategy

abstract

Vocabulary is the basic unit of language. Language acquisition plays an important role in language learning. The famous linguist D.A. Wilkins said, "Without grammar, there are few things that can be conveyed, and without vocabulary, nothing can be conveyed (Lewis, 1993: 16)." This fully shows the importance of vocabulary in language learning. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the second language acquisition strategies and apply them to learners at different levels. According to different levels, learners should choose appropriate methods and strategies to improve learning efficiency and acquisition effect.

Keywords: second language vocabulary acquisition; vocabulary

Acquisition strategy; Metacognitive strategy; Cognitive strategy

introduce

With the economic globalization and multi-polarization of the world, especially the popularity of the Internet, English is becoming more and more important, because it is considered as a tool to absorb and exchange information. As we all know, vocabulary acquisition is one of the most concerned issues for second language learners. Vocabulary appears in the research field of linguists. Up to now, researchers still can't give a complete and reasonable definition of vocabulary. Since1970s, the research on second language vocabulary acquisition has gradually become a hot topic and an important topic in the field of second language vocabulary acquisition. The purpose of these studies is to explore effective vocabulary memory strategies to improve memory skills and vocabulary level. How to acquire vocabulary has become a hot topic for researchers. Wendeng & Rubin (1987), O'Malley & ampChamot (1990) refer to the content of vocabulary acquisition strategies; Rubin (1987) and Oxford (1990) classify memory strategies as direct cognitive strategies. In particular, Cohen Naphek (1981), Porte (1988), O'Malley (1990), Vann (90), Cohen (1990) and others made a basic study of vocabulary acquisition. In short, there are different opinions on how to acquire vocabulary. First, it talks about the importance of vocabulary. Secondly, what does the word "acquisition" mean? This paper makes a detailed analysis of vocabulary acquisition from three aspects: metacognitive strategies; Cognitive strategies and social or emotional strategies. In particular, the influence of context and translation on vocabulary acquisition is emphasized. This paper discusses the application of vocabulary acquisition strategies. And put forward some problems and difficulties in vocabulary acquisition. This paper also discusses the factors that affect the acquisition. It includes mother tongue, age, language contact, logical thinking ability, recognition and learning motivation.

The purpose of this paper is to make English learners realize that the importance of vocabulary in language learning and vocabulary acquisition strategies can not be ignored, and each strategy is deeply rooted in language. Through the analysis of learning theory, this paper attempts to attract learners' attention to second language vocabulary acquisition strategies and the use of vocabulary in communication. In order to improve the acquisition efficiency, some implementation strategies are introduced.

The first part introduces the importance of vocabulary, some basic concepts of vocabulary and vocabulary learning, the second part tells what it means to know a word, and the third part discusses the theory of vocabulary acquisition, and introduces the factors and differences that affect vocabulary acquisition. The fourth part discusses vocabulary acquisition strategies of learners at different levels in detail. The last part is the conclusion.

Literature review

1. The importance of vocabulary

The first time, when we go to school, our English teacher will tell us that vocabulary is very important in learning English. After several years, we gradually understand words, especially when studying in high school. If we know a little about vocabulary, our English may be poor. This is because listening, speaking, reading and writing show the necessity of learning vocabulary.

Many researchers agree that vocabulary is at least as important as structure, because it is usually the wrong words rather than the wrong grammar that spoil communication. Compared with grammatical errors, lexical errors are more likely to lead to misunderstandings and are not easily tolerated outside the classroom. (Carter, 1987). As Stephen Krashen said, "When students travel, they bring not grammar books, but dictionaries.

Stephen Krashen first expounded the important role of vocabulary in the process of teaching and learning in Natural Teaching Method (1985):

"Vocabulary is the basis of communication. If the acquirer doesn't know the meaning of the keywords used by the people who call them, they will not be able to participate in the dialogue. "

Writing is the basic tool of human communication; Therefore, they determine the main part of people's lives-the relationship between people and the connection with the world around them. The bigger a person's vocabulary, the easier it is to express his thoughts and feelings.

In actual communication, correct and authentic vocabulary can even reduce some structural errors and grammatical errors. (Zhang, 2002). Therefore, learners should enrich and expand their vocabulary knowledge as much as possible in order to communicate effectively in a foreign language.

2. What does the word "know" mean?

Knowing a word is not a simple phenomenon. In fact, it is very complicated, far beyond the meaning and pronunciation of words. (Zhang, 2002). Richards (1976) thinks that knowing a word means knowing the frequency of words and their possible collocations; Aware of applicable functional and situational limitations; Knowledge of "syntactic behavior"; Derived forms and parts of speech; Association and tacit knowledge; Semantic value-breaking words into the smallest units like component analysis (see Katz & ampfodor 1963 or LEECH1974); Know other relevant (possible) meanings. Nagy and Scott (2000) described the complexity of knowing a word from several aspects. First of all, word knowledge is increasing, which means that readers need to touch a word many times in different contexts before they can "know" it. Second, word knowledge is multidimensional. This is because many words have multiple meanings and play different roles with different functions in different sentences, texts and even conversations. Third, word knowledge is interrelated, because the knowledge of one word is connected with the knowledge of other words.

All this means that "knowing" a word is a matter of degree, not an all-or-nothing proposition (Baker & McOwan,1991; Najib & Scott, 2000). The degree of knowing a word is reflected in the accuracy of using a word, the speed of understanding a word, and the degree of understanding and using words in different modes and for different purposes.

Memory strategy, cognitive strategy, social strategy and metacognitive strategy are used more frequently than emotional strategy and compensation strategy.

conclusion

This paper attempts to provide some theories and strategies for second language vocabulary acquisition. Such as metacognitive strategy, cognitive strategy and social strategy. However, this paper also puts forward some micro strategies. In fact, vocabulary acquisition should be combined with context. In addition, this paper does not mention that culture is also an important factor in vocabulary acquisition. In the study of second language vocabulary acquisition, we should pay attention to the process and result of vocabulary acquisition. This paper focuses on the second language vocabulary acquisition strategies.

philology

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