METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

The Lexical Approach

María Teresa QuirozMirko Manfredi

The Lexical ApproachKey figures:

Dave Willis – “Lexical Syllabus” - (1990) Michael Lewis – “The Lexical Approach” -

(1993) “Implementing the

Lexical Approach” – (1997)

The Lexical ApproachWhat are the main features of the

lexical approach ?

LEXIS, rather than grammar, plays a primary role in the acquisition of language.

LEXIS is not just vocabulary.CHUNKS (lexical prefabricated items)

represent a significant portion of a native speaker’s spoken and written output. Therefore, these chunks of language are vital for fluent production.

The Lexical Approach

“Language consists not of traditional

grammar and vocabulary but often of

multi-word prefabricated chunks.”

Michael Lewis

The Lexical Approach

“The essential idea is that fluency is based on the acquisition of fixed and semi-fixed prefabricated items, which are available as the foundation for any linguistic novelty or creativity.” Michael Lewis

The Nature of Lexis There is a distinction between vocabulary, traditionally thought to be constituted of single items, and lexis,

which includes not only the single words but also the word combinations that we store in our mental lexicon.

MULTI-WORD ITEMS OR CHUNKS

WORDS book, penPOLYWORDS by the way, upside down, on the other

handCOLLOCATIONS community service, do a jobFIXED EXPRESSIONS I´ll get it; We´ll see; If I were

you ... SENTENCE FRAMES OR HEADS The problem is …,

That is all very well, but …

The Lexical Approach ROLE OF TEACHERThe teacher: the main source of

learners` input

Assisting learners by providing scaffolding

Helping learners manage their own learning

The Lexical Approach ROLE OF STUDENTSAnalizing real life language samples based on his own explanations

Observing, classifying and making generalizations

The student is the discoverer.

The Lexical Approach ROLE OF MATERIALSCourse packagesCollection of vocabulary teaching activities

Print-out versions of computer corpora

Computer concordance programs

EXERCISES WITH LEXICAL APPROACH

features

expensive CHEAP

COST

PRODUCTION

WARRANTY

CURRENT

BOEING 1940

Installing

Resented

lifetime

motivate

Staff of employees

High quality

Attain

sourcesWHERE IS THE PROBLEM?

individualistic

Quality circles have been less successful in individualistic cultures