The Leveling of Lexical Content According to the Frequency Criterion

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17561/rilex.7.3.9209

Keywords:

Vocabulary, Teaching, Frequency, Linguistic Corpora, Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE)

Abstract

It is unquestionable that teaching vocabulary in Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) must be based on solid principles that ensure coherent and functional learning progression. Tools like the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), its Companion Volume, and the Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (PCIC) offer essential frameworks for teachers, allowing decisions about what vocabulary to teach and at which level to be based on communicative and pedagogical criteria rather than taken randomly. Ultimately, the proper selection of vocabulary significantly contributes to the communicative success of students, facilitating their integration into a wide range of social and cultural contexts.

The PCIC provides a comprehensive framework for teaching vocabulary in ELE, structured around 20 main topics that cover key areas of human experience. The criteria for vocabulary selection—frequency, communicative utility, and register—ensure that students acquire functional vocabulary adapted to their needs at each level of proficiency. Additionally, the flexibility of the PCIC allows for the adaptation of lexical units to different teaching contexts, ensuring that Spanish teaching remains both relevant and effective.

This research aims to recognize the importance of formulaic sequences in the learning of Spanish as a Foreign or Second Language (ELE/L2), arguing that their explicit instruction, based on lexical frequency and supported by corpus data, is crucial for improving students' fluency and communicative competence. This approach provides a solid framework for selecting lexical sequences and offers teachers tools to adapt their teaching more efficiently to the learners' levels and needs.

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References

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Published

2024-12-20

How to Cite

Martos Eliche, F. (2024). The Leveling of Lexical Content According to the Frequency Criterion. RILEX. Revista Sobre Investigaciones léxicas, 7(3), e9209. https://doi.org/10.17561/rilex.7.3.9209