Lexical attrition among EFL learners
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Date
2019
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University Of Oum El Bouaghi
Abstract
Attrition studies have become very important in the field of foreign language teaching and learning. Foreign language attrition researchers have shown that knowing what is lost and how it is lost can really help in discovering appropriate syllabi, lessons and methodologies for the processes of learning and teaching. This study aims to show the importance of FL lexical attrition studies in the process of EFL teaching/learning vocabulary in Algeria. To be more specific, it aims to investigate the relationship between the rates of lexical attrition of EFL graduates and the time spent with lack of exposure. Additionally, it aims to explore the relationship between EFL learners' lexical attrition and their rates of language use after their graduation. It also aims to show the difference in the attrition of different lexical categories, specifically, advanced and basic, nouns, verbs and adjectives. Building on a review of the literature on FL lexical attrition studies, two major instruments were used: a questionnaire and a lexical test. Thirty participants were selected and divided into three groups according to the spans they spent with non-exposure. The results indicated that there is a moderately strong positive correlation between the length of the time spent with no regular and significant exposure to English and learners' rates of lexical attrition. It was also found that there is a negative moderate correlation between language use learners' rates of lexical attrition. In addition, the results showed that basic vocabulary is more immune to lexical attrition than the advanced vocabulary, and nouns are more prone to FL lexical attrition than adjectives and verbs.
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Keywords
Lexical attrition, Language use, Adjective