Vocabulary in an EFL classroom

Despite our increasing knowledge on vocabulary and its learning and teaching, the reality in a classroom may still be somewhat more traditional. This paper looks at how lexical knowledge is portrayed in an EFL classroom and in pupils’ ideas of words. The data derives from a longitudinal study that investigated the development of children’s metalinguistic awareness during their first six years at school. This paper concentrates on exploring Finnish 4 th grade English classroom learning of new verbs. The study considered empirical evidence from children’s interviews, classroom observation, and used textbooks and other materials. The participants (N=16) were 9-10 – yearolds in their second year of English studies.