Erwin Tschirner
Vocabulary acquisition in a second language
Wednesday 7:00 - 7:45 p.m. / GWZ 1015
Office hours: W 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and by appointment
Leistungsschein: oral and written paper; regular attendance and participation
Teilnahmeschein: regular attendance and participation (includes completion of reading
assignments)
The second language mental lexicon has attracted considerable interest over the last few
years, especially with respect to the teaching and learning of foreign languages. The goal of
this seminar is to survey the relevant literature on second language vocabulary learning and to
provide pedagogical suggestions for both teachers and learners. We will look at experimental
research and case studies to help us understand what second language vocabulary acquisition
entails and we will discuss how to establish a systematic approach to vocabulary learning that
makes good use of class time and that helps learners get the best return for their learning
effort. This seminar is for advanced students (Hauptstudium) of DaF, Anglistik,
Amerikanistik, and Romanistik. Readings and class discussions will be in English.
Schedule
16.4.
23.4.
30.4.
07.5.
14.5.
21.5.
28.5.
04.6.
18.6.
25.6.
02.7.
09.7.
16.7.
Introduction
Goals of vocabulary learning (Nation 6-22)
Knowing a word (Nation 23-59)
Teaching and explaining vocabulary (Nation 60-113)
Listening and speaking (Nation 114-143)
Reading and writing (Nation 144-186)
Academic and technical vocabulary (Nation 187-216)
Learning strategies I (Nation 217-240)
Learning strategies II (Nation 240-262)
Word formation (Nation 263-316)
Chunking and collocation (Nation 317-343)
Testing (Nation 344-379)
Curriculum design (Nation 380-406)
Literature
Aitchison, J. (1994). Words in the mind (2nd edn.). Oxford: Blackwell.
Coady, J. / Huckin, T. (1999). Second language vocabulary acquisition. Cambridge
University Press.
Nation, I.S.P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge University Press.
Read, J. (2000). Assessing vocabulary. Cambridge University Press.
Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in language teaching. Cambridge University Press.
Schmitt, N. / McCarthy, M. (eds.) (1997). Vocabulary: Description, acquisition, and
pedagogy. Cambridge University Presse.
Singleton, D. (1999). Exploring the second language mental lexicon. Cambridge University
Press.