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Date Posted: 21:23:13 07/10/03 Thu
Author: Júnia Resende de Freitas
Subject: Task 10

Task 10

Explain what a lexical approach is. Describe its main characteristics.

In this task, I am going to explain what a lexical approach is and describe its main characteristics.
First of all, “the term 'lexical approach' was coined by Michael Lewis (The lexical approach: The state of ELT and the way forward, 1993). It is also linked to the language corpora which have been built up. These provide a record of the language as it is actually used, and therefore provides an alternative to a syllabus based on grammar. This approach tries to keep language in larger chunks, rather than dissecting language into its constituents.”
Second, “the Lexical Approach develops many of the fundamental principles advanced by proponents of the Communicative Approach. This Approach develops current thinking, synthesising the best insights of previous theory, corpus linguistics, discourse analysis and modern approaches to grammar. The practical implications for methods, materials and teacher training are fully developed. The most important difference between Lexical Approach and Communicative Approach is the increased understanding of the nature of lexis in naturally occurring language, and its potential contribution to language pedagogy.”
Third, I can say that the key principles of the Lexical Approach are:
· “Language consists of grammaticalised lexis, not lexicalised grammar.
· The grammar/vocabulary dichotomy is invalid; much language consists of multi-words 'chunks'.
· A central element of language teaching is raising students' awareness of, and developing their ability to 'chunk' language successfully.
· Although structural patterns are known as useful, lexical and metaphorical patterning are accorded appropriate status.
· Collocation is integrated as an organising principle within syllabuses.
· The central metaphor of language is holistic - an organism; not atomistic - a machine.
· It is the co-textual rather than the situational element of context which are of primary importance for language teaching.
· Grammar as a receptive skill, involving the perception of similarity and difference, is prioritised.
· Receptive skills, particularly listening, are given enhanced status.
· The Present-Practise-Produce paradigm is rejected, in favour of a paradigm based on the Observe-Hypothesise-Experiment cycle.”
Next, “contemporary language teaching methods tend to be similar for students at different level of competence; with the Lexical Approach the materials and methods appropriate to beginners or elementary students are radically different from those employed for upper-intermediate or advanced students. Significant re-ordering of the learning programme is implicit in the Lexical Approach.”
Finally, as I could realize, “the Lexical Approach is a serious attempt at revaluation for the individual teacher and the profession. It is a book for teachers, trainers and anyone involved in the teaching of English language.”
To sum up, I can say that I learned one more approach in this course that is the Lexical Approach and some of its characteristics.

Junia Resende de Freitas

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