Journal of Academic Research for Humanities (JARH) is a double-blind peer-review, Open Free Access, online Multidisciplinary Research Journal
Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2023)
The International "Journal of Academic Research for Humanities"

Research Articles

Investigation of the Relationship of Receptive Vocabulary Size and Speaking Skills: A Study of IELTS Test Takers in Pakistan

Published 31-03-2023

  • Hafsa Tazeen
    • ,
  • Shumaila Aman
    • ,
  • Dr. Muhammad Asif

Hafsa Tazeen
M.Phil. Scholar, Government College University Faisalabad

Shumaila Aman
Visiting Lecturer, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan

Dr. Muhammad Asif
Assistant Professor, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan

Abstract

Past studies have highlighted the importance of correlating vocabulary size with language skills. It was observed that these studies were unable to examine this relationship among IELTS Test Takers. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between receptive vocabulary size and the productive language skill i.e., speaking skills of IELTS Test Takers in Pakistan. It followed the model of a correlational study. So, to test the hypothesis, measures of band scores of IELTS speaking tests were collected from a sample of 125 undergraduate IELTS Test Takers. The data was analyzed statistically by using SPSS. Receptive vocabulary was calculated by using VST (Vocabulary Size Test) by Nation and Beglar (2001). These measures of IELTS test scores and Vocabulary size test were analyzed through simple linear regressions. T-test showed a statistically significant relationship between male and female test-takers. Females performed better in VST as compared to male test-takers. Mann-Whitney test for speaking skills showed that the results were not significant and there was no statistically significant relationship in the speaking scores of males and females. The relationship between VST and speaking skills was found to be non-significantly regressed with a 33.6% variance in speaking skills.  

Keywords

Receptive Vocabulary Size, Productive Language Skills, IELTS Test Takers, Speaking Skills, Simple linear regression

PDF

References

  1. Alavi, S. M., & Akbarian, I. H. (2012). The role of vocabulary size in predicting performance on TOEFL reading item types. The system, 40(3), 376-385.
  2. Alavi, S. M., & Akbarian, I. H. (2012). The role of vocabulary size in predicting performance on TOEFL reading item types. The system, 40(3), 376-385.
  3. Astika, G. G. (1993). Analytical assessments of foreign students' writing. RELC Journal, 24(1), 61-70.
  4. Bachman, L. F. (2004). Statistical analyses for language assessment book. Cambridge University Press.
  5. Brown, D., Milton, J., & Fitzpatrick, T. (2014). Knowledge of collocations. Dimensions of vocabulary knowledge, 123-139.
  6. Dang, T. N. Y., Webb, S., & Coxhead, A. (2022). Evaluating lists of high-frequency words: Teachers’ and learners’ perspectives. Language Teaching Research, 26(4), 617-641.
  7. Enayat, M. J., & Derakhshan, A. (2021). Vocabulary size and depth as predictors of second language speaking ability. The system, 99, 102521.
  8. Hazenberg, S., & Hulstun, J. H. (1996). Defining a minimal receptive second-language vocabulary for non-native university students: An empirical investigation. Applied linguistics, 17(2), 145-163.
  9. Henriksen, B. (1999). Three dimensions of vocabulary development. Studies in second language acquisition, 21(2), 303-317.
  10. Hsueh-Chao, M. H., & Nation, P. (2000). Unknown vocabulary density and reading comprehension.
  11. Janebi Enayat, M., & Babaii, E. (2018). Reliable predictors of reduced redundancy test performance: The interaction between lexical bonds and test takers’ depth and breadth of vocabulary knowledge. Language Testing, 35(1), 121-144.
  12. Janebi Enayat, M., & Haghighatpasand, M. (2019). Exploiting adventure video games for second language vocabulary recall: A mixed-methods study. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 13(1), 61-75.
  13. Koizumi, R., & In'nami, Y. (2013). Vocabulary knowledge and speaking proficiency among second language learners from novice to intermediate levels. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 4(5), 900.
  14. Laufer, B., & Ravenhorst-Kalovski, G. C. (2010). Lexical threshold revisited: Lexical text coverage, learners’ vocabulary size, and reading comprehension.
  15. Malvern, D. D., & Richards, B. J. (2007). Validity and threats to the validity of vocabulary assessment.
  16. Matthews, J., & Cheng, J. (2015). Recognition of high-frequency words from speech as a predictor of L2 listening comprehension. The system, 52, 1-13.
  17. Meara, P. (1993). The bilingual lexicon and the teaching of vocabulary. The bilingual lexicon, 279-297.
  18. Milton, J., Wade, J., & Hopkins, N. (2010). Aural word recognition and oral competence in English as a foreign language. Insights into non-native vocabulary teaching and learning, 52, 83-98.
  19. Miralpeix, I., & Muñoz, C. (2018). Receptive vocabulary size and its relationship to EFL language skills. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 56(1), 1-24.
  20. Nation, I. S. P. (2011). Research into practice: Vocabulary. Language Teaching, 44(4), 529-539.
  21. Nation, I. S. P., & Webb, S. (2011). Content-based instruction and vocabulary learning. In Handbook of research in second language teaching and learning (pp. 631-644). Routledge.
  22. Nation, I. S., & Webb, S. A. (2011). Researching and analyzing vocabulary. Boston, MA: Heinle, Cengage Learning.
  23. Read, J. (2004). 7. Research in teaching vocabulary. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 24, 146-161.
  24. Read, J. (2004). Plumbing the depths: How should the construct of vocabulary knowledge be deªned? Vocabulary in a second language, 209.
  25. Rehman, A. A., & Alharthi, K. (2016). An introduction to research paradigms. International Journal of Educational Investigations, 3(8), 51-59.
  26. Richards, J. C. (1976). The role of vocabulary teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 77-89.
  27. Schmitt, N. (2008). Instructed second language vocabulary learning. Language teaching research, 12(3), 329-363.
  28. Schmitt, N. (2014). Size and depth of vocabulary knowledge: What the research shows. Language learning, 64(4), 913-951.
  29. Stæhr, L. S. (2009). Vocabulary knowledge and advanced listening comprehension in English as a foreign language. Studies in second language acquisition, 31(4), 577-607.
  30. Uchihara, T., & Saito, K. (2019). Exploring the relationship between productive vocabulary knowledge and second language oral ability. The language learning Journal, 47(1), 64-75
  31. Webb, S. (2013). New Directions in Vocabulary Assessment.