Professional paper
Learning new vocabulary from context
Ivana Vodogaz
; Sveučilište u Splitu, Sveučilišni studijski centar za stručne studije, Split, Hrvatska
Marijana Jurišić
; University of Split, University Department of Professional Studies in Split, Split, Croatia
Abstract
This purpose of this paper is to view different aspects of learning strategy and of acquiring unknown words from the context, also known as ‘’the guessing strategy’’. The paper describes the value and efficiency of that strategy, as well as its advantages in relation to other methods of vocabulary acquisition. The reasons because of which some theorists neglect the positive effects of context use in learning target words have also been introduced. It has also been described why, in some cases, it is justified to use context for vocabulary instruction. Some indicators confirm that the level of language competence plays an important role in guessing, and that insufficient vocabulary can prevent learners from constructing the context necessary to guess the meaning of unknown words.
The paper also deals with the significance of context clues and information that they provide us with about the meaning of an unknown word. Different types of contextual clues have been described and examples are provided for each type. The conclusion states that the strategy of guessing can give positive results in vocabulary acquisition, but in some cases it may obstruct successful learning.
Keywords
context; vocabulary; strategy; guessing; meaning; unknown words
Hrčak ID:
82375
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2010.
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