Abstract

As an important part of lexical learning, Word Derivational Knowledge (WDK) has always played a significant role in Second Language Learning (SLL). But the relation between WDK and the Proficiency of Second Language Learning (L2 Proficiency) is has no concrete explanation. In order to make the answer more clear, I did a research about the relation between WDK and the proficiency of SLL. The study investigates 120 participants and their knowledge about derivational words by making tasks and interviews. The result shows that L2 proficiency has a close relation with WDK, L2 proficiency determines the master volume of WDK and conversely WDK also have an influence on the learning of second language. Specifically, the higher L2 proficiency is, the more WDK they mastered; second, with the increase of affixes’ difficulty, the mastering volume of second language learners (L2 learners) decline, and the learning gap between different English level students become larger; third, students’ mastery of WDK on dimension of identification, understanding and application has a certain difference. The three can be ranked from easy to difficult: identification-understanding-application; finally, grasping an amount of WDK is also positive in lexical learning and moreover, helps improve the L2 learner’s language proficiency.

Keywords: Word Derivational Knowledge； Second Language Learning； L2 Proficiency； Affixes.

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1 Introduction3

1.1 Current Situation Review3

1.2 Introduction of Word and Word Derivational Knowledge4

1.2.1 Words and Vocabulary4

1.2.2Word Derivational Knowledge4

1.3 Introduction of Second Language Learning.5

2 Literature Review5

2.1 English lexicology and Second language learning.5

2.2 Language proficiency and its influence on WDK acquisition.5

2.3 WDK and its influence on Language proficiency6

2.3.1 WDK and Writing proficiency6

2.2.2 WDK and Reading proficiency.7

2.2.3 WDK and Speaking proficiency.7

3 Methodology8

3.1 Research questions.8

3.2 About participants8

3.3 Procedure and Instruments.8

3.3.1 Procedure.8

3.3.2 Instruments9

3.3.3 Interview .10

3.4 data collection and analysis10

3.4.1 Data collection.10

3.4.2 Data analysis.10

4 Results10

4.1 The mastering situation of L2 learners on the dimensions of identification, understanding and application10

4.2 Language proficiency level and WDK ability .12

4.3 The Attitude of L2 learners to the effect of WDK13

5 Conclusion13

5.1 The Relation between Word Derivational Knowledge and the Proficiency of Second Language Learning13

5.2 Limitations and suggestion.14

References