The way you choose to learn a language impacts your success. So choose well, especially if you're learning alone. To save time studying what works best, look into the lexical approach. Language teaching publications praise its efficiency. They call it one of the best ways to teach and learn a foreign language. Even the famous linguist Noam Chomsky has adopted a lexicon-is-prime position. Is the lexical approach truly the quickest path to fluency? Keep reading to discover the answer.
What is the Lexical Approach in Language Teaching?
The lexical approach prioritizes the so-called lexical chunks, also known as lexical units or lexical phrases. These are high-frequency common words or word combinations. As native speakers use them often, linguists believe chunks are key to fluency.
Linguist Michael Lewis developed the approach in 1993. It was a reaction to the traditional grammar syllabus and challenged the PPP (presentation-practice-production) methodology.
The new approach wanted to shift the focus from grammar to lexis. The old way meant learning grammar structures. Lewis suggested focusing on lexis. He sees it as a foundation for learning a new language. The change promises language learners to build a strong vocabulary and achieve fluency faster.
💡 Note: The lexical approach uses examples for ELT (English Language Teaching). However, its principles work for any second language.
The Lexical Approach in Language Teaching Publications
Many educators tried to introduce a lexical approach to language learners. The Routledge Handbook of Applied Linguistics mentions a few. For example, Willis and Willis explored the topic in 1988. However, Michael Lewis was more successful a few years later. His book - The Lexical Approach: The State of ELT and a Way Forward - offers practical methodological tips. Instructors can use them for early stages and more advanced levels. The information is backed by scientific research. Michael Lewis extensively tested it while teaching English in Sweden. The author conducted numerous classroom experiments. Teachers worldwide claim that Lewis's approach is one of the best. It empowers students to master a foreign language effectively and efficiently.
Linguists Hugh Dellar and Andrew Walkley took Lewis's ideas further. They explored the lexical approach to teaching in Teaching Lexically. Paul Davis and Hanna Kryszewska published The Company Words Keep, in which they examined the use of lexical chunks in language teaching.
Many people confuse the communicative approach with the lexical one—and for good reason. The two share the same fundamental principles and have one common goal—communication. In fact, the lexical approach is an evolution of the communicative one. It emphasizes the use of lexical chunks to understand and speak a language. This aspect sets it apart from the broader communicative approach.
How is Lexical Learning Different?
Lexical learning focuses on lexical chunks rather than grammar. A lexical chunk is a combination of words often found together and serving one function. To understand the lexical approach better, look at how children learn language. The main goal is communication. They do not have a clear understanding of how grammar works. Instead, children repeat words and phrases until they make sentences. The lexical approach works in a similar way. It exposes learners to the target language's most frequently used lexical units. So, they practice pieces of conversation. Then, students piece together these chunks to communicate. Michael Lewis classifies them into several categories. These include:
- Polywords: taxi rank;
- Collocations: prices fell;
- Short phrases: Just a moment, please;
- Sentence frames: Sorry to interrupt, but…;
- Full sentences: I'll be in touch;
- Polywords: by the way; the day after tomorrow.
These organic word combinations in a second language are the building blocks for new sentences.
Key Principles of the Lexical Approach
Michael Lewis places lexical chunks at the heart of the lexical approach. He says, "Language consists of grammaticalized lexis, not lexicalized grammar." In other words, the approach views grammar as subordinate to lexis or vocabulary. The linguist also emphasizes the role of word grammar over grammar systems. Simply put, understanding the function of a word within context makes more sense. The old way - trying to understand an entire language system - is a challenge.
Some of the methodological principles of the lexical approach are listed below.
- Language-rich classrooms. Instructors are trained to use as many examples of real language as possible.
- Emphasis on receptive skills. To learn more phrases, students must first work on their receptive skills. They need to focus on reading and, especially, listening. Productive skills - speaking and writing - follow. Extensive writing is delayed as much as possible.
- Communicative competence is more important than accuracy. Lewis underlines that learning requires mistakes. He provides a set of techniques for fixing them. Accuracy comes at a later stage.
- Learning in context. A student's vocabulary is built through context. Teachers are advised to avoid laundry lists of words that are out of context.
- Lexical exercises to identify chunks. Lewis believes any trainer must learn to spot lexical chunks. The second step is to teach learners to do the same.
💡 Note: Contrary to popular belief, Lewis doesn't reject grammar. He merely encourages teachers to prioritize vocabulary. Learning sentence grammar is encouraged. However, that stage is intended for post-intermediate levels.
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The Pros of the Lexical Approach for Language Teachers
Lewis says that there is no one-size-fits-all method. The author recommends learning several techniques. Instructors can then juggle these methods while they teach. Lewis explains that language learning is complex. That's why it demands a more personalized approach.
Among the benefits of the lexical approach, it's worth mentioning the following:
- Efficient vocabulary building. The lexical approach is one of the most effective ways to build a strong core vocabulary in a new language.
- Reduced teacher talking time (TTT) in the language classroom. Teachers create student-centered materials. They include activities like listening and repeating. These exercises keep learners involved at all times.
- Imitates natural language acquisition. The lexical approach promotes immersive learning. It mimics how native speakers become fluent. Students learn collocations and set phrases in context.
- Improved comprehension. Learning common expressions in context improves understanding. It prepares students to communicate meaningfully.
- Better retention. Contextual chunks of language improve vocabulary retention. Students also find it easier to recall what they have learned. Learners who are taught isolated phrases struggle to memorize them.
The Shortcomings of the Lexical Approach
Lewis's approach develops the Communicative Approach well. But, it is not a universal solution. It is criticized for lacking a full-fledged list of principles to serve as a basis for a syllable. Scott Thornbury published a critical analysis of the shortcomings. It was titled The Lexical Approach—A Journey without Maps? Seth Lindstromberg first published My Good-bye to the Lexical Approach. But then he changed his mind and co-authored Teaching Chunks of Language.
Some of the drawbacks of the lexical approach include the following:
- Demanding for beginners. The approach may seem hard at first. But it gets easier once you form a habit of learning new words, collocations, and idioms.
- Less emphasis on writing skills. Spoken language is a priority in the lexical approach. Writing is secondary to speaking and gets less attention.
- Overlooked grammar. Knowing language chunks is at the heart of the lexical approach. Grammar comes second. That may seem a limitation, especially to those favoring the grammar method.
Unlock Fluency with FunEasyLearn and the Lexical Approach
FunEasyLearn is an award-winning language-learning app. It applies the lexical approach to the current 34 language courses available to speakers of 62 native languages. With FunEasyLearn, you get countless benefits, including:
- Offline mode. Learn on the go wherever you are, even without an internet connection.
- Zero ads. Avoid annoying ads and focus on learning without distractions.
- Practical vocabulary. Access an extensive collection of 15,000 words and phrases for 10 proficiency levels.
- Real-life language. Lower-level learners can communicate in the target language. They master words and expressions for over 350 topics. These include traveling, meeting people, and ordering food at a restaurant.
- Advanced personalization. Adjust how much you learn per session. Choose the right speed for your level. Create your own word lists and play your favorite games.
- Gamification. Play over 30 fun games. Earn rewards to celebrate essential milestones and get an extra dose of motivation.
Summing Up
The lexical approach to language learning promises to yield great results. It is time-efficient and backed by science. Michael Lewis revealed the secret to effective language learning. In a nutshell, the more lexical units you learn, the faster you can communicate. High-frequency lexical chunks ensure a good fluency level in a new language. FunEasyLearn uses the lexical approach to help users build a strong core vocabulary. The app currently counts 34 language courses from 62 native languages.
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