A Lexical Syllabus for Teaching English in Junior High School: Improving vocabulary acquisition

Vocabulary is widely recognized as a key factor comprising the basis of any language and of a second/ foreign language in particular. Its prominent role in both comprehension and production has been repeatedly established by research. In this book an experimental complementary lexical syllabus for Israeli intermediate schools is introduced. It is designed as a working disc for teachers of EFL in Israel aimed at providing a starting point for vocabulary instruction. The book presents the rationale for the numerical targets of the proposed lexical syllabus as well as the main criteria for the selection of the lexical items themselves. Methodological considerations in the compilation of the lexical syllabus and pedagogical implications regarding the transition from passive recognition to active production are also addressed.