Lexical Approach
Encyclopedia
The Lexical Approach is a method of teaching foreign languages
described by M. Lewis in the 1990s.
The basic concept on which this approach rests is the idea that an important part of learning a language consists of being able to understand and produce lexical phrases as chunks. Students are thought to be able to perceive patterns of language (grammar
) as well as have meaningful set uses of words at their disposal when they are taught in this way. In the lexical approach, instruction focuses on fixed expressions that occur frequently in dialogues, which Lewis claims make up a larger part of discourse than unique phrases and sentences. Vocabulary
is prized over grammar per se in this approach. The teaching of chunks and set phrases has become common in English as a second or foreign language, though this is not necessarily primarily due to the Lexical Approach.
In a review of the approach, Dieter Kranz wrote, " The Lexical Approach can be summarized in a few words: language consists not of traditional grammar and vocabulary but often of multi-word prefabricated chunks" (TESL-EJ November 1997 — Volume 3, Number 1). He goes on to list the main principles of the approach: "1. The grammar/vocabulary dichotomy is invalid. 2. Collocation is used as an organizing principle. 3. Successful language is a wider concept than accurate language. 4. The Observe-Hypothesise-Experiment cycle replaces the Present-Practise-Produce Paradigm. 5. Most importantly, language consists of grammaticalised lexis–not lexicalised grammar" (ib.).
Language education
Language education is the teaching and learning of a foreign or second language. Language education is a branch of applied linguistics.- Need for language education :...
described by M. Lewis in the 1990s.
The basic concept on which this approach rests is the idea that an important part of learning a language consists of being able to understand and produce lexical phrases as chunks. Students are thought to be able to perceive patterns of language (grammar
Grammar
In linguistics, grammar is the set of structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language. The term refers also to the study of such rules, and this field includes morphology, syntax, and phonology, often complemented by phonetics, semantics,...
) as well as have meaningful set uses of words at their disposal when they are taught in this way. In the lexical approach, instruction focuses on fixed expressions that occur frequently in dialogues, which Lewis claims make up a larger part of discourse than unique phrases and sentences. Vocabulary
Vocabulary
A person's vocabulary is the set of words within a language that are familiar to that person. A vocabulary usually develops with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge...
is prized over grammar per se in this approach. The teaching of chunks and set phrases has become common in English as a second or foreign language, though this is not necessarily primarily due to the Lexical Approach.
In a review of the approach, Dieter Kranz wrote, " The Lexical Approach can be summarized in a few words: language consists not of traditional grammar and vocabulary but often of multi-word prefabricated chunks" (TESL-EJ November 1997 — Volume 3, Number 1). He goes on to list the main principles of the approach: "1. The grammar/vocabulary dichotomy is invalid. 2. Collocation is used as an organizing principle. 3. Successful language is a wider concept than accurate language. 4. The Observe-Hypothesise-Experiment cycle replaces the Present-Practise-Produce Paradigm. 5. Most importantly, language consists of grammaticalised lexis–not lexicalised grammar" (ib.).