#7 ESL (English as a Second Language) and Vocabulary Development

Tip: If you are an ELS student who is serious about developing your English vocabulary, then we highly recommend you try the popular vocabulary-building software, Ultimate Vocabulary. Click Ultimate Vocabulary for more information.*

The goal of teaching English to non-native speakers is so they are able to effectively function (using English) in different environments (Crandall & Sheppard, 2004). As such, learning can be drawn from diverse content areas. There is not just one type of ESL learner and different students require different instruction. As an ESL learner, you might fit into one of the following categories:

  • 1. Adult – English as a second language speaker;
  • 2. Generation 1.5 – are from non-English speaking backgrounds. These students have undergone high school in English and are moving to post-secondary. They are in need of instruction;
  • 3. International – are from overseas to study;
  • 4. Word English-Speaking – The student speaks a different type of English to the one that they are studying in or will be studying in;
  • 5. ESL literacy student – This type of learner has limited education and knowledge of their mother tongue (Crandall & Sheppard, 2004).

The NRS (2008) divides educational functioning into 6 levels for ESL. These include: beginning literacy, low beginning ESL, high beginning ESL, low and high intermediate ESL, and advanced ESL. The ESL levels refer to speaking; listening; and basic reading, writing, and workplace skills.

ESL Instruction and Learning

Research recommends that a multifaceted teaching and learning method is best. It is commonly suggested that teaching and instruction should be linked to the external environment, such as examining real life documents (such as bills and brochures); providing instruction in their first language; and using different methods of teaching (The Centre for Literacy of Quebec, 2008).

Hunt and Beglar (2005) suggest that the best and quickest way to teach second language learners and develop vocabulary is to provide a balance between explicit and implicit teaching. Explicit learning includes decontextualised vocabulary such as the use of dictionaries. Implicit learning involves reading. Hsu (2006) states that, overall, the literature recommends beginning ESL students require more explicit vocabulary methods. Once basic vocabulary is grasped, implicit methods are best.

Developing English Vocabulary

One useful tool to assist ESL students develop vocabulary is the Ultimate Vocabulary ESL Success Edition. Regardless of the student’s level of proficiency, the software offers non-English speakers the opportunity to build their English vocabulary. There is an audio pronunciation tool. This will assist you to speak like a native English speaker; reduce your accent; and read and comprehend English. The software can also assist you in preparing for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The TOEFL tests a student’s capacity to communicate effectively in English at the tertiary education level (ETS, 2008) and is recognised by 6,000 institutions and 130 countries.

References

Crandall, J, and Sheppard, K, Adult ESL and the Community College (2004), Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy Working Paper 7, 13 December, New York, NY (viewed 2 February 2009).

ETS (Educational Testing Service), The TOEFL® Test: Find Out Which Format Is Offered at Your Location (2008) (viewed 2 February 2009).

Hunt, A, and Beglar, D,‘A framework for developing EFL reading vocabulary’ (2005) 17(1) Reading in a Foreign Language 23.

The Centre for Literacy of Quebec, ESL and Literacy: Finding Common Ground, Serving Learners’ Needs A Survey of the Literature (2008) (viewed 2 February 2009).

The National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS) Implementation Guidelines – Educational Functioning Levels (2008) (viewed 2 February 2009).

Hsu, JY, ‘Teaching English Lexically: The University Word List is a Good Start’ (2006) in The Proceedings of 2006 Taiwan TESOL Conference, National Formosa University, Huwei, Taiwan.