Derivative Word Forms: What Do Learners Know? Schmitt, N. & Zimmerman, C.B., (2002). TESOL Quarterly, 36(2), Presented by Cheryl Boyd Zimmerman, Ph.D. TESOL Program Department of Modern Languages and Literatures CSUF November 3, 2010

Background of Study  Common Assumption  Previous Research  Resulting Research Design for this Study

Examples of Words from The Academic Word List (AWL ) Authority Assume Traditional Select Philosophy Access Ethnic Liberal Minimum Release Survive Ideology Inevitably Coherent Persist Coxhead, A. (2000). A new academic word list. TESOL Quarterly, 34,

Research Design Word Family Knowledge is studied in how it relates to Overall Word Knowledge. Overall word knowledge is addressed with a scale approach (Test of Academic Lexicon: TAL) Word Family Knowledge is addressed with a productive derivative test (Later referred to as Test of English Derivatives: TED)

Test of Academic Lexicon (TAL) A I don’t know the word B I have seen the word before but am not sure of the meaning. C I understand the word when I see or hear it in a sentence but I don’t know how to use it in my own speaking or writing. D I know the word and can use it in my own speaking and writing [If you select this one, please write a SENTENCE which uses the word and shows its meaning. ] 1. Stimulate 2. Sloist

Test of English Derivatives (TED) Example: Precise NounA doctor must work with ________. VerbA doctor ___________. Adjective Medical care requires _____ work. AdverbDoctors must work _____________.

Test of English Derivatives (TED) Example: Precise NounA doctor must work with precision. VerbA doctor _____X______. Adjective Medical care requires precise work. AdverbDoctors must work precisely.

Derivative Forms Produced for Words Rated at Each TAL Level (Abridged form of Table 3 ; n=86) ABCD ALL WORDS ESL35.9%44.2%50.6%60.9% NOUNS ESL23.5%38.6%55.8%68.1% VERBS ESL26.1% ADJECTIVES ESL ADVERBS ESL

Derivative Forms Produced for Words Rated at Each TAL Level ABCD ALL WORDS ESL35.9%44.2%50.6%60.9% MA-ELT ESL & MA-ELT Native Speakers

Words for Which Participants Produced Zero, One, Two, Three and Four Derivative Forms ESL & MA- ELT

Conclusion So the jump from receptive to productive knowledge is reflected in better mastery of productive derivative forms in each of the 4 word classes.But The assumption that learners automatically pick up the various derivative forms is probably incorrect.

Bottom Line To Know a Word means to know a great deal about it. Derivative knowledge cannot be taken for granted.