How is vocab related to proficiency?<\/strong><\/h2>\nWe don\u2019t underestimate the importance of grammar, automaticity, cultural fit, etc. but studies1,2,3<\/sup>\u00a0have shown that vocabulary size is by far the single most significant indicator of proficiency.<\/p>\nData consistently show that progressively higher vocabulary sizes are associated with progressively higher proficiency levels4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/cl-150-bulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2021\/05\/ILR-vocab-chart.png\")
Equivalencies between the ILR and ACTFL scales may vary slightly, but the overall trend is clear: proficiency increases with increased vocab size.<\/p><\/div>\n
Why focus on vocabulary?<\/strong><\/h2>\n?\ufe0f<\/span>Vocab \u201cchunks\u201d help you produce the language more fluently.<\/strong><\/h3>\nDid you know your brain processes languages using two different memory systems? Declarative memory learns facts: words, phrases, grammar rules, culture background, etc. Procedural memory learns skills.<\/p>\n
Much of what was originally thought to be processed by the procedural memory is actually declarative. For example, an expression like \u201cI do not know\u201d was traditionally thought to be an exercise in grammar\u2014conjugating \u201cknow\u201d, negating with \u201cnot\u201d, etc. But this is actually processed declaratively as a single \u201cchunk\u201d. The more of these \u201cchunks\u201d you know, the less time you need to process and produce fluent speech.<\/p>\n
Learners with large vocabularies can draw from these pre-constructed chunks, stringing them together into longer, more \u201cnative-like\u201d sentences when speaking or writing.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
?<\/span>Vocabulary also improves receptive language skills (listening and reading).<\/strong><\/h3>\nHave you ever been listening to someone and got stuck on a single word, only to miss the next 30 seconds of the conversation.<\/p>\n
Or you\u2019re reading an article but you\u2019re blanking on a few key words, turning a comprehension exercise into more of a madlib.<\/p>\n
Vocabulary can plug those holes, making it easier to listen or read in the target language.<\/p>\n
It also frees up your brain to pick up on other aspects of the language that are important for fluency: cultural references, proper pronunciation, and application of grammar patterns.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
?<\/span>Vocabulary actually helps<\/em> you master different grammatical functions!<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhen you think of grammar you probably think of conjugating verbs and the like. A sufficiently large and carefully curated vocabulary supports learning those kinds of grammar rules5<\/sup> and becomes the foundation on which grammar rules can be applied in new and imaginative ways6<\/sup>.<\/p>\nWe challenge you to come up with a sentence in the past perfect tense without using any nouns, adjectives, or objects.<\/p>\n
Vocab and grammar are also tightly linked in terms of semantics and pragmatics. These two constraints of grammar are learned through vocabulary and fully processing the meaning of words. Semantics has to do with the actual definition of a word or text.\u00a0Pragmatics\u00a0refers to how words are used in a practical sense, or in context.<\/p>\n
For example, if someone said to you \u201ccould you crack the window?\u201d semantically you know that \u201cto crack\u201d means to break, but pragmatically you know that they want you to open the window.<\/p>\n
To understand the sentence, the many meanings of individual vocabulary words and idiomatic expression must be known and carefully studied.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nSo, where does grammar fit in?<\/strong><\/h2>\nCommunicating is ultimately about receiving and sharing ideas. You don\u2019t need to be native-like to express an idea successfully. Need medical assistance? The single word \u201chospital\u201d or \u201cdoctor\u201d will likely get you what you need.<\/p>\n
But for language professionals using the language for serious purposes, grammar is a must.<\/p>\n
As you\u2019re learning vocabulary chunks, start looking for grammar patterns! That\u2019s actually how you learned grammar in your native language, by seeing it in context and deducing the grammar rules.<\/p>\n
Then you can apply those rules and patterns in the classroom and in conversations with colleagues.<\/p>\n
Data consistently show that progressively higher vocabulary sizes are associated with progressively higher proficiency levels4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n Equivalencies between the ILR and ACTFL scales may vary slightly, but the overall trend is clear: proficiency increases with increased vocab size.<\/p><\/div>\n Did you know your brain processes languages using two different memory systems? Declarative memory learns facts: words, phrases, grammar rules, culture background, etc. Procedural memory learns skills.<\/p>\n Much of what was originally thought to be processed by the procedural memory is actually declarative. For example, an expression like \u201cI do not know\u201d was traditionally thought to be an exercise in grammar\u2014conjugating \u201cknow\u201d, negating with \u201cnot\u201d, etc. But this is actually processed declaratively as a single \u201cchunk\u201d. The more of these \u201cchunks\u201d you know, the less time you need to process and produce fluent speech.<\/p>\n Learners with large vocabularies can draw from these pre-constructed chunks, stringing them together into longer, more \u201cnative-like\u201d sentences when speaking or writing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have you ever been listening to someone and got stuck on a single word, only to miss the next 30 seconds of the conversation.<\/p>\n Or you\u2019re reading an article but you\u2019re blanking on a few key words, turning a comprehension exercise into more of a madlib.<\/p>\n Vocabulary can plug those holes, making it easier to listen or read in the target language.<\/p>\n It also frees up your brain to pick up on other aspects of the language that are important for fluency: cultural references, proper pronunciation, and application of grammar patterns.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you think of grammar you probably think of conjugating verbs and the like. A sufficiently large and carefully curated vocabulary supports learning those kinds of grammar rules5<\/sup> and becomes the foundation on which grammar rules can be applied in new and imaginative ways6<\/sup>.<\/p>\n We challenge you to come up with a sentence in the past perfect tense without using any nouns, adjectives, or objects.<\/p>\n Vocab and grammar are also tightly linked in terms of semantics and pragmatics. These two constraints of grammar are learned through vocabulary and fully processing the meaning of words. Semantics has to do with the actual definition of a word or text.\u00a0Pragmatics\u00a0refers to how words are used in a practical sense, or in context.<\/p>\n For example, if someone said to you \u201ccould you crack the window?\u201d semantically you know that \u201cto crack\u201d means to break, but pragmatically you know that they want you to open the window.<\/p>\n To understand the sentence, the many meanings of individual vocabulary words and idiomatic expression must be known and carefully studied.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Communicating is ultimately about receiving and sharing ideas. You don\u2019t need to be native-like to express an idea successfully. Need medical assistance? The single word \u201chospital\u201d or \u201cdoctor\u201d will likely get you what you need.<\/p>\n But for language professionals using the language for serious purposes, grammar is a must.<\/p>\n As you\u2019re learning vocabulary chunks, start looking for grammar patterns! That\u2019s actually how you learned grammar in your native language, by seeing it in context and deducing the grammar rules.<\/p>\n Then you can apply those rules and patterns in the classroom and in conversations with colleagues.<\/p>\nWhy focus on vocabulary?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
?\ufe0f<\/span>Vocab \u201cchunks\u201d help you produce the language more fluently.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
?<\/span>Vocabulary also improves receptive language skills (listening and reading).<\/strong><\/h3>\n
?<\/span>Vocabulary actually helps<\/em> you master different grammatical functions!<\/strong><\/h3>\n
So, where does grammar fit in?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/cl-150-bulletin\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2021\/05\/ILR-vocab-chart-350x142.png\")