Technical Vocabulary in Vocational Contexts

Emma McLaughlin

Focus

Technical vocabularyWhy vocabulary?

Vocabulary demands of a textVocabulary lists

Glossaries

What is technical vocabulary?Words that don’t have exact

synonyms or different meanings in other contexts

(Mudraya, 2006)

Closely related to the topic and not likely to be known in general

language with the same meaning (Nation, 2001, 2003)

Why?

Concepts and ideasPre-teach

Simplification

The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to

ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise

timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.

(Electrical and Communications, Protecting Electronics p.15 - 16)

The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to

ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise

timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.

(Vocational Tutor)

The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to

ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise

timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.

(ESOL Tutor)

The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to

ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise

timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.

(Learner)

Source: Bauer and Nation: Vocabulary Profiler

The Electronic Control Unit uses the information provided by the engine sensors to ensure that the engine is operated at its optimum settings to control the open period of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise

timing of the ignition, to give good fuel economy and reduced engine emissions.

Vocabulary on each list

exhaust

ignition

electronic

Ignition (31)

electronic (14)

exhaust (4)

• Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes utilizing a hydraulic system assisted by an air pressure system.

• Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes using a hydraulic system helped by an air pressure system.

Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes utilizing a hydraulic system assisted by an air pressure system.

So what?• Foundation courses - help learners pathway

onto vocational courses

• ESOL learners - help learners pathway onto vocational courses

• Tutors - vocabulary demands of a text

• Tutors - words learners need to focus on

Where to from here?

Develop vocabulary frequency lists for vocational courses.