Prof. Norbert Schmitt is Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Nottingham and is interested in all aspects of second language vocabulary. He will be visiting us at UCLouvain from 7 to 11 March 2022, and he will give a presentation on Tuesday 8 March entitled "Knowledge-based Vocabulary Lists: Based on Demonstrated Knowledge of Vocabulary."
Abstract
Frequency of occurrence has been the main criterion for vocabulary pedagogical word selection. This approach has been useful, but the frequency-ranking is still somewhat crude. It is true that learners typically know more words in high-frequency bands then lower frequency bands (e.g. 1K>2K>3K, etc.). But while frequency ranking works relatively well for bands (at least up until about the 5K band), it does not work so well for individual words (e.g. #1,150 accounts will not necessarily be learned before #1,200 rose). At the level of individual words, there are an undetermined number of frequency misfits with what learners actually know. For example, from experience, we know that pencil and socks will likely be some of the first words learned, but appear as relatively lower-frequency vocabulary on frequency lists.
What is needed to supplement frequency lists is a rank list of English vocabulary based on the actual likelihood of L2 learners knowing the words. This paper will present the Knowledge-based Vocabulary Lists (KVL), based on test results from speakers of Spanish (cognate language), Chinese (non-cognate language), and German (mother language of English). The presentation will discuss the development and potential uses (and misuses!) of the KVL lists.
The lists are now available on the British Council website, along with a User Manual: https://www.britishcouncil.org/exam/aptis/aptis-expertise/knowledge-basedvocabulary-lists-kvl
Norbert Schmitt will also lead a workshop entitled "How to Publish: Tips from 25 Years of Experience" and Diane Schmitt will present her research on the links between writing and vocabulary.