Derivative Word Forms: What Do Learners Know? Schmitt, N. & Zimmerman, C.B., (2002). TESOL Quarterly, 36(2), Presented by Cheryl Boyd Zimmerman, Ph.D. TESOL Program Department of Modern Languages and Literatures CSUF November 3, 2010
Background of Study Common Assumption Previous Research Resulting Research Design for this Study
Examples of Words from The Academic Word List (AWL ) Authority Assume Traditional Select Philosophy Access Ethnic Liberal Minimum Release Survive Ideology Inevitably Coherent Persist Coxhead, A. (2000). A new academic word list. TESOL Quarterly, 34,
Research Design Word Family Knowledge is studied in how it relates to Overall Word Knowledge. Overall word knowledge is addressed with a scale approach (Test of Academic Lexicon: TAL) Word Family Knowledge is addressed with a productive derivative test (Later referred to as Test of English Derivatives: TED)
Test of Academic Lexicon (TAL) A I don’t know the word B I have seen the word before but am not sure of the meaning. C I understand the word when I see or hear it in a sentence but I don’t know how to use it in my own speaking or writing. D I know the word and can use it in my own speaking and writing [If you select this one, please write a SENTENCE which uses the word and shows its meaning. ] 1. Stimulate 2. Sloist
Test of English Derivatives (TED) Example: Precise NounA doctor must work with ________. VerbA doctor ___________. Adjective Medical care requires _____ work. AdverbDoctors must work _____________.
Test of English Derivatives (TED) Example: Precise NounA doctor must work with precision. VerbA doctor _____X______. Adjective Medical care requires precise work. AdverbDoctors must work precisely.
Derivative Forms Produced for Words Rated at Each TAL Level (Abridged form of Table 3 ; n=86) ABCD ALL WORDS ESL35.9%44.2%50.6%60.9% NOUNS ESL23.5%38.6%55.8%68.1% VERBS ESL26.1% ADJECTIVES ESL ADVERBS ESL
Derivative Forms Produced for Words Rated at Each TAL Level ABCD ALL WORDS ESL35.9%44.2%50.6%60.9% MA-ELT ESL & MA-ELT Native Speakers
Words for Which Participants Produced Zero, One, Two, Three and Four Derivative Forms ESL & MA- ELT
Conclusion So the jump from receptive to productive knowledge is reflected in better mastery of productive derivative forms in each of the 4 word classes.But The assumption that learners automatically pick up the various derivative forms is probably incorrect.
Bottom Line To Know a Word means to know a great deal about it. Derivative knowledge cannot be taken for granted.