Vocabulary selection and word repetitions in beginner L2 Spanish textbooks
Abstract
Abstract
This article examines vocabulary selection and treatment in four beginner Spanish textbooks from major publishers in the US, specifically in the chapters that focused on: 1) regular verbs; and 2) food vocabulary. The corresponding chapters from each book were analyzed using AntConc and AntWordProfiler in order to get information about: 1) the number of times each different word is repeated; and 2) how frequent these words are in Spanish. Results revealed that lexical frequency is not the guiding principle in textbook vocabulary selection and that even highly frequent and relevant words are generally repeated only once per chapter, which indicates a deficient approach to vocabulary learning and teaching in mainstream L2 Spanish textbooks. Nonetheless, differences arise between the two types of chapters and pedagogical proposals should take such differences into account when making general suggestions about what vocabulary should be introduced in the textbooks and how it needs to be treated.
Keywords: lexical frequency; vocabulary selection; vocabulary repetition; Spanish L2 textbooks; Spanish textbooks
Resumen
Este artículo examina la selección de vocabulario de cuatro libros de texto en español publicados por importantes editoriales en los Estados Unidos. El análisis se centra principalmente en los capítulos que presentan: 1) los verbos regulares; y 2) el vocabulario de la comida. Los capítulos correspondientes a los temas mencionados se analizaron en cada libro de texto usando AntConc y AntWordProfiler con el fin de obtener información sobre: 1) el número de repeticiones de cada palabra; y 2) la frecuencia de estas palabras. Los resultados revelan que la frecuencia léxica de las palabras no se toma en cuenta a la hora de seleccionar el vocabulario, ya que palabras de alta frecuencia se repiten una sola vez por capítulo. Esto muestra una deficiencia en el aprendizaje y enseñanza de vocabulario en los libros de texto de ELE. Sin embargo, hay diferencias notables entre los dos tipos de capítulos analizados, las cuales se deben tomar en cuenta al momento de decidir el tipo de vocabulario apropiado para cada capítulo.
Palabras clave: frecuencia léxica; selección de vocabulario; repetición del vocabulario; libros de texto de ELE
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