Vocabulary is considered a central element in language learning, and the learners' lexical level directly correlates with the development of their overall English proficiency. Despite this, we are facing a series of issues in vocabulary teaching, such as predominantly focus on input, limited output, overly singular teaching methods, and students’ lack of enthusiasm for vocabulary learning. These problems result in learners cannot effectively improving their lexical competence and learning attitudes towards vocabulary learning, leading to suboptimal vocabulary teaching outcomes. Therefore, this study attempts to explore the application of Production-oriented Approach in high school English vocabulary teaching, examining their impact on the lexical competence and lexical learning attitudes of high school English learners. The aim is to address current issues in English vocabulary classrooms and provide a new perspective for research on vocabulary teaching in primary and secondary schools.
Grounded in Krashen’s Input Hypothesis, Swain’s Output Hypothesis, and Long’s Interaction Hypothesis. Research methods include educational experimentation, literature review, questionnaire survey, and interview. Updated Vocabulary Levels Test, Productive Vocabulary Levels Test, composition from school’s monthly exams, “English Vocabulary Learning Attitude Survey”, and semi-structured interviews serve as research tools. The researcher conducted three-months educational experiment on 99 Grade 1 students from Z High School in K City. The research addresses two main questions: Question 1: What is the impact of the Production-oriented Approach on the vocabulary proficiency of high school English learners? It includes two sub-questions: (1) How does the Production-oriented Approach affect subjects’ receptive lexical competence in high school English vocabulary teaching? (2) How does the Production-oriented Approach affect subjects’ productive lexical competence in high school English vocabulary teaching? Question 2: What is the impact of the Production-oriented Approach on learners’ attitudes towards vocabulary learning in high school English vocabulary teaching? It includes three sub-questions: (1) What is the impact of the Production-oriented Approach on the subjects’ emotional experiences in vocabulary learning? (2) What is the impact of the Production-oriented Approach on the subjects’ cognitive levels in vocabulary learning? (2) What is the impact of the Production-oriented Approach on the subjects’ behavioral tendencies in vocabulary learning?
The findings indicate that, firstly, the adoption of the Production-oriented Approach in high school English vocabulary teaching contributes to improving learners’ lexical competence, specifically, significantly impacting both receptive and controlled lexical competence. The great improvement in lexical competence sores of the subjects in Experimental group could be found after the end of the experiment. Moreover, the scores of the subjects in the experimental group were obviously higher than that of subjects in control group. Secondly, the Production-oriented Approach significantly influences learners' attitudes towards English vocabulary learning, including enhancements in emotional experiences, cognitive levels, and behavioral tendencies. According to the consequences of the questionnaire of vocabulary learning attitude and interview, it could be found that the subjects of the experimental group represented more active attitude in vocabulary learning at the end of the experiment. Also, there were significant distinctions in the reading attitude between experimental group and control group. Therefore, the adoption of the Production-oriented Approach in high school English vocabulary teaching is feasible and effective.
Based on the research results and conclusions, the researcher proposes three pedagogical insights: firstly, ensure the creation of authentic communication scenarios to promote students’ vocabulary development. Authentic communication situations are conducive to eliciting students’ emotional resonance and arousing their interest in English learning. Secondly, design diverse teaching activities to enhance students’ classroom participation. Last, adopt collaborative evaluation approach between teachers and students to help students clarify their learning outcomes.