Vocabulary: Description, Acquisition and Pedagogy (Cambridge Language Teaching Library) [Paperback]

Norbert Schmitt (Editor), Michael McCarthy (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521585511 | ISBN-13: 978-0521585514 | Publication Date: January 28, 1998

This volume examines the area of second language vocabulary studies from three broad perspectives: description, acquisition and pedagogical context. The book's fifteen chapters are grouped together to achieve a balance between descriptions of what vocabulary is and how it behaves, how the mind learns new vocabulary and then uses it when it is learned, and pedagogical issues of teaching and testing L2 vocabulary. Some of the specific topics addressed in these three general areas include: - word frequency and vocabulary size, multi-word units, variation between spoken and written language; - models of lexical acquisition, first language influences on second language vocabulary acquisition, vocabulary learning strategies; - vocabulary and the syllabus, trends in teaching and testing vocabulary, lexical reference sources.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'There is much food for thought throughout, practising language teachers will undoubtedly find Section Three of most immediate value. This book is a worthwhile addition to the Cambridge Language Teaching Library and will attract a wide readership among vocabulary researchers and language teachers.' EA Journal

'This collection provides a thought provoking and valuable update on the state of vocabulary as it is currently viewed and is an important contribution to the field.' NZ Studies in Applied Linguistics

Book Description

This volume examines what vocabulary is and how it behaves, how the mind learns vocabulary and uses it, and pedagogical issues of teaching and testing L2 vocabulary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 393 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521585511
• ISBN-13: 978-0521585514
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael McCarthy is one of Britain's leading writers on the environment. Formerly environment correspondent of The Times, for the last ten years he has been environment editor of the Independent. He has three times been named as Environment Reporter of The Year. In 2007 he was awarded the Medal of the RSPB, for an outstanding contribution to conservation.