Research-based vocabulary teaching in English and modern languages

The aim of the project is to develop research-based methods and exercises to help English and modern language learners develop their vocabulary.

Who are we?

Participants in the project are Ulla Rydström, Magdalena Önell-Hassler, Clara Johansson, Eva Klang (all language teachers at Luleå upper secondary school) and Marie Nordlund (lecturer in English at LTU).

The area of R&D practice-oriented research

The development and expansion of vocabulary is a complex and gradual process and different approaches to achieve this may be needed over time. It is an important part of the teacher's task to try to guide and inspire students in this work. Since very little research on vocabulary learning and teaching has been conducted in "reality", i.e. in the everyday life of language teachers and students in a Swedish context, the results of this project will also be valuable for the research field as a whole and for strengthening the scientific basis for language teaching in Swedish schools.

Purpose of the project

The purpose of the project is to develop research-based methods and exercises that can facilitate the development of vocabulary for students in English and modern languages. With these methods, teachers are given tools that rest on a scientific basis so that language teaching, in terms of vocabulary, in Luleå upper secondary school can become more homogeneous.

Implementation and documentation

Regular meetings are held during which teachers are supported in the process of developing new approaches to vocabulary teaching. This gives teachers the opportunity to try different tools in their respective teaching groups, develop methods, discuss the activities carried out and move forward in the process. The work is documented through:

• video recordings of project meetings
• surveys of pupils' vocabulary knowledge at different measurement points
• teachers' field notes on the activities carried out.

Dissemination of results

The results of the project will primarily be shared with other teachers in the subject teams for English and modern languages at Luleå Upper Secondary School, but also

• presented at the Language Day at LTU to reach language teachers in other school forms in Luleå municipality and language teachers from neighbouring municipalities.
• implemented in the teacher training program at LTU
• published in scientific articles