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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 15. Number 2, June 2024 .226-245
Department of English, Faculty of Letters and Humanities
Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
Department of English, Faculty of Letters and Humanities
Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
Department of English, Faculty of Letters and Humanities
Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
The present paper investigates the contribution of productive as well as receptive vocabulary breadths to Moroccan learners’ EFL speaking ability. The study’s significance lies in its exploration of the under-researched area of speaking proficiency, furthering our understanding of the link between vocabulary knowledge and language skills. To further probe this connection, particularly in the high school context, this study investigated the relationship between vocabulary size and speaking ability using valid and reliable vocabulary research instruments. This study addressed two research questions: a) to what extent do receptive and productive vocabulary size scores correlate with speaking ability? b) to what extent do receptive and productive vocabulary size scores explain the variance in learners’ speaking ability? To answer these questions, the researchers administered the Updated Vocabulary Levels Test, the Productive Vocabulary Levels Test, and a speaking task to 40 tenth-grade EFL participants. Spoken data were graded by reference to IELTS’ speaking band descriptors. Results of Pearson Correlation disclosed positive correlations between receptive and productive lexical breadths and speaking proficiency. Moreover, findings of multiple linear regression revealed that receptive and productive vocabulary sizes could explain performance in speaking ability. Implications for EFL vocabulary instruction and speaking proficiency development are discussed.
Keywords: EFL speaking ability, productive vocabulary size, receptive vocabulary size, speaking proficiency, vocabulary and speaking
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Agrram Abdelaziz is a doctoral candidate at the University of Chouaib Doukkali, El Jadida, Morocco. He is also a Cambridge Speaking examiner of different proficiency levels. Mr. Agrram obtained his MA from the Faculty of Education, Rabat, Morocco. His areas of interest are vocabulary measurement, acquisition, and teaching. He is also interested in educational assessment and pedagogy. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3999-8608
Mokhtari Najat Ph,D is a Full Professor at the Department of English at the Faculty of Letters and Humanities Chouaib Doukkali, El Jadida. Her research interests are related to the field of Applied Linguistics.
Laaboudi Daouia Ph,D is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Letters and Humanities Chouaib Doukkali, El Jadida. Pr. Laaboudi is the current director of the Applied Language and Culture Studies Doctoral Laboratory. Her areas of interest are also related to Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, and pedagogy.