Chapter published in:
Measuring Native-Speaker Vocabulary Size
I.S.P. Nation and Averil Coxhead
[Not in series 233] 2021
► pp. 63–78

Chapter 7
Factors affecting native-speaker vocabulary size and growth

Article outline
  • The conditions affecting vocabulary learning
  • A model of factors affecting vocabulary size and growth
  • Age and the statistical nature of vocabulary
    • Age
    • The statistical nature of vocabulary
  • Factors affecting variation between individuals in their rate of vocabulary growth
    • Social and personal factors
    • Life experience factors
    • Opportunities for input and use
  • Some well-researched causal chains
    • The 30-million-word gap
    • The role of education
    • Parental skills and habits
    • Guessing the meanings of words from context
    • The effect of learning additional languages
  • An overview of factors affecting vocabulary size and growth