Didactic considerations of vocabulary breadth and depth in EFL/ESL contexts - a literature review

Abstract

This literature review analyzes and synthesizes current studies on the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension in the context of English as a foreign or second language (EFL/ESL). It concludes that vocabulary knowledge is important to reading comprehension. There are some aspects which learners, teachers, curriculum designers, textbook writers and researchers should pay attention to. Both the knowledge of vocabulary breadth and vocabulary depth are important to reading comprehension in EFL/ESL contexts; EFL/ESL language teachers need to focus on mid-frequency vocabulary while carrying out vocabulary instruction for promoting reading comprehension performance; teachers should apply different classroom activities and teaching methods to meet the needs of their students. These issues will be reviewed and discussed in the following article.