ABSTRACT
Vocabulary learning is only one of the goals of extensive reading, but vocabulary learning makes use of conditions that also apply to other aspects of language knowledge. Using vocabulary-controlled material greatly reduces the vocabulary burden of reading and allows attention to be focused on words that are the next most useful words to learn. Initial learning of vocabulary in text can come from guessing from context, from glossary or dictionary look-up, or from a teacher or friend. Occasional dictionary use should be allowed in extensive reading because dictionary look-up has positive effects on vocabulary learning through noticing and on comprehension. Before reading a text, a learner can quickly look through it for any unfamiliar words, put them on word cards, and then deliberately learn them. The use of vocabulary-controlled materials for extensive reading is a major way of dealing with the negative aspects of Zipf’s Law.
