prior-knowledge
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- PaperOpenAlex — TESOL research20 Jul 2026
The Role of Lexical Background in English Vocabulary Acquisition in Mexico
Claudia Andrea Durán Montenegro, Alicia Marcela Rendón Castro, Mabel González Jiménez
The study investigated how Mexican learners' prior lexical knowledge from media exposure affects English vocabulary acquisition. It argues that instruction should activate familiar English-related words and cognates rather than assuming no prior contact. The findings highlight pedagogical strategies for building on students' existing linguistic resources.
Original abstract
This study examines the role of prior lexical knowledge in English vocabulary acquisition among Mexican learners.It argues that vocabulary instruction often underestimates the English-related words, cognates, and culturally familiar lexical items that students have already internalized through everyday exposure to media, technology, music, sports, and popular culture.Rather than treating learners as if they had no previous contact with English, the study proposes that teachers should identify and activate this existing knowledge to support more meaningful and efficient vocabulary learning.By connecting new lexical input with words students already recognize and use, instruction can promote comprehension, confidence, and motivation.The study concludes that recognizing learners' linguistic resources has important pedagogical implications for English language teaching in Mexico.