Overview

This book examines the simultaneous contribution of learner vocabulary size and speed to second language performance differences across learner levels and settings. Harrington considers vocabulary size and speed, as reflected in retrieval speed and consistency, as a three-dimensional measurement construct termed lexical facility. While size and retrieval speed are generally known, this is the first attempt to incorporate consistency, as measured by the coefficient of variation, as an index of vocabulary skill. Part 1 describes the three dimensions and the roles they play on lower level text processing and thus on second language performance more generally. Part 2 reports on seven studies and related research that investigate the sensitivity of the three dimensions, both individually and in combination, to proficiency differences in common domains of academic English performance. Harrington’s framework and the theoretical and methodological issues that arise are presented in a manner accessible to a wide readership, including second language acquisition vocabulary researchers, testing and assessment practitioners, and those interested in second language research methodology. 

Full Product Details

Author:   Michael Harrington
Publisher:   Palgrave Macmillan
Imprint:   Palgrave Macmillan
Edition:   1st ed. 2018
Weight:   5.358kg
ISBN:  

9781137372611

ISBN 10:   1137372613
Pages:   305
Publication Date:   28 September 2017
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

- Chapter 1. Size as a dimension of L2 Vocabulary Skill.- Chapter 2. Measuring Recognition Vocabulary Size.- Chapter 3. Word recognition skill as an aspect of L2 vocabulary knowledge.- Chapter 4. Lexical Facility: Bringing size and speed together.- Chapter 5. Measuring lexical facility.- Chapter 6. Lexical Facility as an index of L2 Proficiency.- Chapter 7. Lexical Facility and Academic English Proficiency.- Chapter 8. Lexical Facility and IELTS performance.- Chapter 9. Lexical Facility and Language Program Placement.- Chapter 10. Lexical Facility and academic performance in English.- Chapter 11. The effect of Lexical Facility.- Chapter 12. The future of Lexical Facility

Reviews

“For those who show keen interest in assessing vocabulary, Lexical Facility is like a groundbreaking guide. … this innovative book, insightful for English as a second language (ESL) vocabulary instructors and researchers, will constitute an inspiring contribution to L2 lexical studies and deserves unbendable recommendation.” (Liang Zhao, Digital Scholarship in the Humanities, September 20, 2019)

For those who show keen interest in assessing vocabulary, Lexical Facility is like a groundbreaking guide. ... this innovative book, insightful for English as a second language (ESL) vocabulary instructors and researchers, will constitute an inspiring contribution to L2 lexical studies and deserves unbendable recommendation. (Liang Zhao, Digital Scholarship in the Humanities, September 20, 2019)

Author Information

Michael Harrington teaches in the postgraduate program in Applied Linguistics at the University of Queensland, Australia. He publishes in second language acquisition, second language lexical and cognitive processes, and testing and assessment. 

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