The presentation described the findings of a textbook analysis study undertaken by the presenter and a colleague at AIU, which was subsequently presented at the Vocab@Vic conference, and then published in “Vocabulary Learning and Instruction“. The presenter outlined key findings of the research and described the subsequent impact these had on practical aspects of vocabulary teaching/learning in the AIU EAP classroom. Ways of modifying reading texts and vocabulary tasks contained in commercial (or required) textbooks, to enable ‘deep processing’ of vocabulary and to improve acquisition potential, were described. Results of a follow-up study in which these modifications were employed showed that there was a statistically significant gain in the GSL high-frequency vocabulary knowledge of the students in the experimental group. Practical applications to other learning contexts were suggested, and participants engaged in activities they can adapt for use in their own classrooms, with the specific goal being to improve learners’ knowledge of high-frequency English general and/or academic vocabulary. Opportunities for participants to develop greater understanding of current vocabulary learning and teaching research and practice were also discussed.
Akita JALT 