THE IMPACT OF READING ON VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
Keywords:
vocabulary acquisition, reading practices, lexical development, ESL learners, language proficiency.Abstract
Vocabulary development remains a central concern in second language acquisition, as lexical knowledge directly influences learners’ ability to comprehend and produce language effectively. Among various instructional approaches, reading has consistently been identified as one of the most powerful tools for vocabulary growth. This study explores the relationship between reading practices and vocabulary development among learners of English as a second language. By examining both extensive and intensive reading approaches, the research highlights how different forms of textual exposure contribute to lexical expansion. The findings suggest that regular engagement with reading materials enhances both the breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge, while also fostering learner autonomy and long-term retention. The study emphasizes the need for integrating structured and unstructured reading activities into language learning environments.
References
Day, R. R., & Bamford, J. (1998). Extensive reading in the second language classroom. Cambridge University Press.
Laufer, B., & Hulstijn, J. (2001). Incidental vocabulary acquisition in a second language: The construct of task-induced involvement. Applied Linguistics, 22(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/22.1.1
Krashen, S. D. (2004). The power of reading: Insights from the research (2nd ed.). Heinemann.
Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge University Press.
Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in language teaching. Cambridge University Press.
Grabe, W., & Stoller, F. L. (2011). Teaching and researching reading (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Webb, S. (2008). Receptive and productive vocabulary learning: The effects of reading and writing on word knowledge. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 30(3), 387–419. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263108080593
Cobb, T. (2007). Computing the vocabulary demands of L2 reading. Language Learning & Technology, 11(3), 38–63.
Horst, M., Cobb, T., & Nicolae, I. (2015). Is there still a place for pre-teaching vocabulary in language learning? Language Teaching, 48(4), 525–540. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444815000202
Azerbaijan
Türkiye
Uzbekistan
Kazakhstan
Turkmenistan
Kyrgyzstan
Republic of Korea
Japan
India
United States of America
Kosovo