Happy to share our latest study published in Applied Linguistics! It investigates a basic but important question regarding L2 meaning-recall vocabulary size.
Key Insights on L2 Vocabulary Learning
Meaning-Recall Vocabulary:- Average L2 learners recall 2,345 words (out of 5,000 word families).
- Recall rates drop from 87.5% (Level 1) to 24.5% (Level 5).
- Advanced learners (C1) recall ~3,946 words, but most struggle to meet the 3,000-word threshold for effective use.
Recognition vs. Recall:- Learners recognize more words than they can recall (e.g., 3,799 vs. 2,345 words).
- Recall aligns better with actual proficiency, while recognition overestimates due to construct-irrelevant measurement.
Improving Testing:- New tools like ChatGPT scoring and adaptive testing can make recall-based tests more practical.
- Recall tests offer deeper insights into real-world vocabulary use.
