ntlt 2012 - how technical vocabulary is used in vocational contexts
TRANSCRIPT
Technical Vocabulary in Vocational Contexts
Emma McLaughlin
Focus
Technical vocabularyWhy vocabulary?
Vocabulary demands of a textVocabulary lists
Glossaries
What is technical vocabulary?Words that don’t have exact
synonyms or different meanings in other contexts
(Mudraya, 2006)
Closely related to the topic and not likely to be known in general
language with the same meaning (Nation, 2001, 2003)
Why?
Concepts and ideasPre-teach
Simplification
The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to
ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.
(Electrical and Communications, Protecting Electronics p.15 - 16)
The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to
ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.
(Vocational Tutor)
The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to
ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.
(ESOL Tutor)
The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to
ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.
(Learner)
Source: Bauer and Nation: Vocabulary Profiler
The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.
Vocabulary on each list
exhaust
ignition
electronic
Ignition (31)
electronic (14)
exhaust (4)
• Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes utilizing a hydraulic system assisted by an air pressure system.
• Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes using a hydraulic system helped by an air pressure system.
Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes utilizing a hydraulic system assisted by an air pressure system.
So what?• Foundation courses - help learners pathway
onto vocational courses
• ESOL learners - help learners pathway onto vocational courses
• Tutors - vocabulary demands of a text
• Tutors - words learners need to focus on
Where to from here?
Develop vocabulary frequency lists for vocational courses.