Lexical approach method

definition

The lexical approach is a method of teaching foreign language described by M. Lewis in the 1990s.

The basic concept on which this approach rests is the idea that an important part of learning a language consists of being able to understand and produce lexical phrases  as chunks. Students are thought to be able to perceive patterns of language (grammar) as well as have meaningful set uses of words at their disposal when they are taught in this way.

In the lexical approach, instruction focuses on fixed expressions that occur frequently in dialogues, which Lewis claims make up a larger part of discourse than unique phrases and sentences. Vocabulary is prized over grammar per se in this approach. The teaching of chunks and set phrases has become common in English as a second or foreign language, though this is not necessarily primarily due to the Lexical Approach.

Lewis (1993) suggests the following:

• Lexis is the basis of language.
• Grammatical mastery is not a requirement for effective communication.
• Any meaning-centered syllabus should be organized around lexis rather than grammar.

The language activities consistent with the lexical approach must be directed toward naturally occurring language and toward raising learners' awareness of the lexical nature of language.

Activities of this nature include the following:

• intensive and extensive listening and reading in the target language
• first and second language comparisons and translation
• repetition and recycling of activities to keep words and expressions that have been learned active
• guessing the meaning of vocabulary items from context
• noticing and recording language patterns and collocations
• working with dictionaries and other reference tools
• working with language corpuses to research word partnerships, preposition usage, style, and so on