ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on vocabulary in ESP in relation to teaching, learning and testing. Nation points out that while word lists can help with course design, their influence has yet to be ascertained, because little research has focused on their role and effectiveness in course development, design and assessment. Specialised vocabulary is an important part of all language skills in ESP. Testing is a key element of specialised vocabulary. The fundamental idea of Nation's Four Strands is that they provide an organisational framework for a vocabulary curriculum. The strands are designed to run through the curriculum. The Four Strands encapsulate some key conditions for learning another language, such as the importance of output and input. The Involvement Load Hypothesis was conceptualised by Hulstijn and Laufer as a way to measure the level of involvement in a vocabulary-learning task. Many research studies recommend raising awareness of specialised vocabulary in sections on implications for pedagogy.
