When Lexical Inferencing Failed: An Investigation into Strategy Use and Factors Underpinning Less Successful Lexical Inferencing

Autor/inn/en	Rutamornchai, Nuttapong; Tepsuriwong, Saowaluck
Titel	When Lexical Inferencing Failed: An Investigation into Strategy Use and Factors Underpinning Less Successful Lexical Inferencing
Quelle	In: LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 15 (2022) 1, S.124-155 (32 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2630-0672
Schlagwörter	Inferences; Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; English (Second Language); Reading Processes; Reading Strategies; Context Effect; Cues; Vocabulary Skills; Grammar; Prior Learning; Graduate Students; Masters Programs; Applied Linguistics; Foreign Countries; Thailand + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Inference; Inferenz; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Leseprozess; Reading strategy; Leselernstufe; Lesetechnik; Stichwort; Aktiver Wortschatz; Grammatik; Vorkenntnisse; Graduate Study; Student; Students; Aufbaustudium; Graduiertenstudium; Hauptstudium; Studentin; Magister course; Magisterstudiengang; Linguistics; Linguistik; Angewandte Linguistik; Ausland
Abstract	EFL learners commonly infer word meanings while reading. However, previous research suggested that a large number of lexical inferencing attempts were far from success (Nylander, 2014; Qian, 2005). This study aims to examine possible factors of failure in lexical inferencing, with strategy use as a main focus. Eight participants were asked to read an authentic academic text and infer meanings of unknown words. A retrospective interview was conducted to investigate the words inferred, meanings obtained, and lexical inferencing strategies used. This study confirmed the high amount of failure or less successful inferencing attempts. Qualitative analysis of the inferred words in context and strategy use in the less successful cases suggested that lexical inferencing is a complex and demanding process. It intertwined a combination of underlying factors including strategy use, characteristics of the inferred words, contextual clues, and such learners' factors as vocabulary breadth and depth, grammatical knowledge, and background knowledge. These findings imply a pressing need in enhancing effectiveness of lexical inferencing of EFL learners. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Language Institute of Thammasat University. The Prachan Campus, 2 Prachan Road, Bangkok 10200 Thailand. e-mail: learnjournal@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/learn
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01