Effects of Print Access and Print Exposure on French Vocabulary Acquisition by Secondary School Students
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Scholarship Publishing and Educational Consult Services (Nig.) Ltd. Suite 09 lke-Oiu Shopping Complex, Opposite University of I bad an Second Gate, Ojoo Road, lbadan
Abstract
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A number of studies have shown that second and foreign language learners acquire vocabulary
th rough reading, but only relatively small amounts. However, most of these studies used on1y short
texts, and measured only the acquisition of meaning, and did not credit partial learning of words.
This study investigates whether an extensive reading program can enhance lexical knowledge In
t his descriptive study, a survey of 133 students from selected secondary schools was carried out.
The find ings revealed that there was a positive relationship between number of books, print access,
minutes engaged in reading per day by students and vocabulary acquisition. It was recommended
that in spite of the present scarcity of French books, French teachers can make do with what is
available and still achieve positive results. There could also be an aggressive recruitment of French
teachers for the Senior Secondary School level to join the few ones on the jpb. The Government
should also evolve a policy of book~writing through the Nigerian Educational Research and
Development Council (NERDC). Books should also be produced cheaply. French should be given
greater attent ion by the Government, while departments of French should constantly engage in
sensitization programmes. Also, parents should give their children adequate encouragement to
study French
Keywords
P Philology. Linguistics