Using frequency lists to assess L2 texts
Studies of lexical richness fall into three main domains: the analysis of classical literature, the study of first language acquisition, and the study of second language acquisition. In the last-names, a variety of measures of lexical richness have been proposed and used, but the measures are often seriously flawed in either design or interpretation. Recent studies have suggested that using text-analysis tools based on lexical frequency counts may be a useful contribution to the field. This thesis discusses the various methods of using frequency counts in this way, examining in details two particular measures: the Lexical Frequency Profile (Laufer and Nation, 1995) and Plex (Meara, 2001). My conclusions are that the use of lexical frequency data can provide a useful way of avoiding the problems associated with measures based n the type-token distinction and that the results can be presented in a straightforward and mathematical simple way. As a measure of lexical richness, Plex appears to be comparatively unproblematic, and a very useful development in this form of assessment. However, problems remain when this form of assessment is applied to the evaluation of the freely-produced language of learners. One
Bell, H. M.
Using frequency lists to assess L2 texts. Studies of lexical richness fall into three main domains: the analysis of classical literature, the study of first language acquisition, and the study of second language acquisition. In the last-names, a variety of measures of lexical richness have been proposed and used, but the measures are often seriously flawed in either design or interpretation. Recent studies have suggested that using text-analysis tools based on lexical frequency counts may be a useful contribution to the field. This thesis discusses the various methods of using frequency counts in this way, examining in details two particular measures: the Lexical Frequency Profile (Laufer and Nation, 1995) and Plex (Meara, 2001). My conclusions are that the use of lexical frequency data can provide a useful way of avoiding the problems associated with measures based n the type-token distinction and that the results can be presented in a straightforward and mathematical simple way. As a measure of lexical richness, Plex appears to be comparatively unproblematic, and a very useful development in this form of assessment. However, problems remain when this form of assessment is applied to the evaluation of the freely-produced language of learners. One
using frequency list assess text studies lexical richness fall_three main domain analysis classical_literature study first_language_acquisition study second_language_acquisition last names variety measure_lexical richness propose use measure often seriously flaw either design interpretation recent_study suggest use text_analysis tool base lexical frequency count may useful field discus various method_use frequency count way examine_detail particular measure_lexical frequency profile nation conclusion use lexical frequency data provide_useful way avoid problem associate measure base type_token distinction present straightforward mathematical simple way measure_lexical richness appear comparatively unproblematic useful development form assessment however problem remain form assessment apply evaluation freely produced language_learner