Vocabulary Learning Through Lexical Approach

Vocabulary is an important component of language as well as the base of linguistic abilities. Vocabulary study is of critical importance in language learning, therefore scholars, teachers and educators involved in second language learning have pursued researches into vocabulary acquisition from different aspects, and made great contribution to vocabulary learning and teaching.Using the traditional vocabulary learning approaches, Chinese beginners of English still have difficulties in retaining word spelling, in linking word's form with proper meaning when they are learning non-morphological motivated words. Connection, a way of lexical approach, is introduced as an effective way for students to deal with such a problem. In order to test the feasibility of Connection, an experiment was conducted in September 2004. The marked differences of the means between the experimental group and the control group in the two tests indicate that the effectiveness of Connection is significant.Such theoretical bases as semantic field, neurolinguistics, and psycholinguistics support the experiment. At last, it is concluded that lexical approach is practicable and its application is meaningful.