On the Importance of English Vocabulary

【Abstract】In this article， the author first emphasizes the importance of English vocabulary， and then analyzes the present conditions of the Chinese students vocabulary in hope of making readers aware of the importance of English vocabulary.

【Key words】English Vocabulary

【作者簡介】贾敏，山东工艺美术学院公共课教学部。

I. The importance of English vocabulary

Oxford Advanced learners English–Chinese Dictionary gives us the definition of vocabulary：body of words known to a person. A vocabulary is the collection of words which are the bases of communication. Thus people regard words as the materials of the whole building of language. The famous English Linguist， the compiler of Notional Syllabus Wilkins points out that many things cant be delivered without grammar， but nothing can be delivered without words. The importance of words can also be seen in telegrams. When we send a message by telegraph， only with some key words rather than grammatical words can we express almost everything we want. Some researchers find that in childrens language， the function of syntax is not as prominent as that of words. Some materials of developing psycholinguistics show us that children can communicate with their companions or their babysitters by using only several isolated words in the early time of their language developing period.

English vocabulary has very close relationships with other English skills. Without a large vocabulary， most probably we have no ability to make great progress when we try to improve our English. Therefore， other English skills developments depend on vocabulary heavily. For example， some experts have made many researches in order to find out how much vocabulary influences students reading performance. They have brought us some data： the mastery of the meanings of the words in an article is 39 percent of the reading competence； the influence of ones vocabulary alone on the understandings of the meanings of the words covers 47 percent. In the aspect of reading speed， 28 percent of all the factors affecting the effect is the recognition of the words in an article. Now we can draw a conclusion that vocabulary is closely bound up with reading.

The significance of the English vocabulary is also universally acknowledged in all kinds of English examinations because no matter what their natures and forms are， they will test the participants vocabulary directly or indirectly. Therefore， without the proper vocabulary requested， the participants have some difficulty in succeeding in the examinations.

Ⅱ. The present conditions of the Chinese students vocabulary

Now its very clear for you that English vocabulary is of vital importance. Even our syllabus pays special attention to the vocabulary. The syllabus for English majors stipulates the concrete requirements for the students vocabularies at 5 different levels. For instance， if we want to reach the level of band four， we should master 5，500 to 6，500 words and can use correctly and flexibly 3，000 to 4，000 of them and their basic collocations. While if we want to pass band eight， we should master 10.000 to 12.000 words and can use correctly and adeptly 5，000 to 6，000 words and their basic collocations. Here wed better look at the present conditions of the Chinese students vocabulary to see if they can meet the requirements.

English expert H. Pierson from Hong Kong Chinese University once said that although the majority of the students in Hong Kong， have received formal English education at least for 14 years， many of them still cant grasp the meanings of the original works and their difficulties are merely caused by words. From his words we can see that the conditions are not satisfied even in Hong Kong， let alone in the other places of China where are supposed not to gain better chances and circumstances for people to learn English.

Even Gleason， the well-known linguist who considers grammar is more important than words， has to admit that words are what the students fear most in their study of the second language. It seems that this case is also true in China. Most students are or have been frustrated by the overwhelming words they have to remember. Some of them just dont know what to do and simply give up learning， while， some others struggle on.

Chen Hui from English department of Beijing University has done a survey .He shows us many concrete numbers： 98 percent of the investigated students aware of the importance of English vocabulary； 60 percent students regard vocabulary as the most dominant problem in their English study compared with grammar and phonetics； 66 percent students admit that they almost get nowhere when studying words. They all think that the most serious problem is the lackness of effective approaches in studying words especially in memorizing words.

English Vocabulary plays a vital role in our English study. So we should find the appropriate ways to enlarge our English vocabulary.