Lexically-based Language Teaching: An
Innovative Step for ELT in
Siusana Kweldju
Indonesian students of EFL are likely to have
problems when they have to write concisely, vigorously, aptly, precisely, and
appropriately. To solve this problem we need to shift the focus of teaching,
from the non-lexical to the lexical one, especially when there are higher
demands of a superior command of English. This chapter recommends the use of
lexically-based language teaching with its lexically-based syllabus for
classroom purposes. Lexically-based language teaching believes that vocabulary
can be learned both in a contrived and incidental manner. It then shows that
adults, especially under-prepared college students and English department
students need to learn English vocabulary in a contrived manner. However,
elementary and secondary school students can primarily learn vocabulary in an
incidental manner through the use of children’s literature. This article also
proposes lexically-based language teaching models which equip learners with
autonomous and life-long learning strategies to improve their reading and
writing skill. In addition, it will show that graduate students of English department,
without contrived learning of lexical style will produce undeveloped choices of
diction. Therefore, the instructional model for writing courses should
emphasize the autonomous and life-long learning of lexical style.
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Kweldju, S. (2004). Lexically-based
language teaching: An innovative step for ELT in
Website: www.geocities.com/eltindonesia
Email: eltindonesia@yahoo.com