Contextualized enhancement of vocabulary in the context of ESL learning

Abstract

Learning is an active and dynamic process in which individuals can perceive a variety of information and strategic modes of processing. Learning strategies are made as procedures undertaken by the learners in order to make their language learning as effective as possible. Lexical knowledge/Vocabulary has been considered as a primary factor throughout the educational research. The Objective of this research is to show the appropriate vocabulary strategy to enhance the autonomous learning. The traditional methods of learning vocabulary such as word building strategies, activities to find word definitions, studying vocabulary in context and the usage of marginal glosses were discussed. But there was a strong indication from the findings that students are now resort to computer facilities as well as referring newspapers, reciting poems, listening to songs, watching films etc to improve their vocabulary store. It moves a step further from the synthetic teaching to contextualized learning of vocabulary. It has the potential to engrain the vocabulary in the long term memory of learners. It is based on a large corpus of empirical evidence. Literature was reviewed regarding appropriate strategies and theories related to vocabulary teaching strategies according to the criticism of several authors. The study is based on the theories as they clearly stamp to promote the vocabulary development through context in second language learning. So the concept of learning vocabulary should be carried onto a productive level rather than as a receptive skill for a sustainable future of English in Sri Lanka.