The Lexical Approach

The Lexical Approach is a methodological approach to language teaching and learning that places a
strong emphasis on vocabulary and the use of collocations and chunks of language. It was developed
by Michael Lewis in the 1990s as an alternative to traditional grammar-based approaches.

At its core, the Lexical Approach recognizes the central role of vocabulary in language acquisition. It
suggests that words and phrases, rather than grammar rules, are the building blocks of language.
According to this approach, language learners should focus on acquiring and using high-frequency
vocabulary items and learning how they collocate and combine with other words.

Key principles of the Lexical Approach include:

Lexical Primacy: Vocabulary and chunks of language take precedence over grammar in terms of
learning and teaching priorities. Learners are encouraged to develop a large lexical repertoire to
become fluent and accurate language users.

Collocation: The approach emphasizes the importance of collocations, which are words that
frequently occur together. Learning common collocations helps learners produce more natural and
idiomatic language.

Chunking: Language is seen as a collection of fixed or semi-fixed chunks rather than a set of
individual words. Teaching learners ready-made phrases or sentence patterns facilitates fluency and
helps them internalize the language more effectively.

Authentic Input: Exposure to authentic language through reading, listening, and communication is
crucial for learners to develop a sense of how words and phrases are used in context. Authentic
materials such as newspapers, magazines, and real-life conversations are preferred over contrived
exercises.

Noticing and Awareness: Learners are encouraged to notice and pay attention to how language is
used, particularly in terms of vocabulary and collocations. Developing awareness of lexical patterns
helps learners become more autonomous in their language learning.

The Lexical Approach has had a significant impact on language teaching methodology, highlighting
the importance of vocabulary and challenging the dominance of grammar-focused approaches. It
recognizes the complexity and richness of language and seeks to provide learners with the tools to
communicate naturally and effectively in real-world situations.

Here are a few examples that illustrate how the Lexical Approach works:

Collocations: Instead of simply teaching individual words, the Lexical Approach emphasizes teaching
collocations or word combinations that commonly occur together. For example, instead of teaching
the word "make" in isolation, learners would be exposed to and taught phrases like "make a
decision," "make an effort," or "make a mistake."

Chunking: The Lexical Approach encourages the learning of fixed or semi-fixed chunks of language.
For instance, learners might be taught ready-made phrases such as "How about...?" or "I'm not sure
if I can make it." By focusing on these chunks, learners can quickly produce natural and fluent speech
without having to construct sentences word by word.
Vocabulary Focus: The Lexical Approach places a strong emphasis on vocabulary acquisition. Instead
of primarily focusing on grammar rules, learners are encouraged to develop a wide range of
vocabulary and learn how words are used in context. They may engage in activities like extensive
reading, word association exercises, or vocabulary games to build their lexical repertoire.

Authentic Materials: The Lexical Approach promotes the use of authentic materials for language
learning. Learners are exposed to real-life texts like newspaper articles, podcasts, or videos, which
allow them to encounter vocabulary and collocations in authentic contexts. This exposure helps
learners develop an understanding of how language is used in real-world situations.

Noticing Language Patterns: Learners are encouraged to notice and analyze patterns in the language
they encounter. They may focus on recurring vocabulary, collocations, or sentence structures. By
actively noticing these patterns, learners become more aware of how words and phrases are used,
leading to more accurate and natural language production.

Lexical Expansion: The Lexical Approach encourages learners to continually expand their vocabulary
by exploring related words, synonyms, antonyms, and different shades of meaning. For instance,
learners might explore the vocabulary around a particular topic, such as "travel," and learn words
like "journey," "explore," or "adventure" to broaden their lexical range.

These examples demonstrate how the Lexical Approach emphasizes vocabulary, collocations, and
chunks of language to facilitate natural and fluent communication. By focusing on these aspects,
learners develop a solid foundation for effective language use.