EVALUATION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNERS’ LEXICAL COMPETENCE

Vocabulary is a crucial multi-dimensional component of language proficiency. This study aimed to describe these separate traits of vocabulary knowledge through the construct of lexical competence in a three-dimensional model. Thus, 40 Turkish EFL (English as Foreign Language) learners' size, depth and use of vocabulary were investigated with a set of tests. The findings of analyses indicated that they had limited vocabulary size and depth knowledge, considering their assumed proficiency levels. Additionally, the profiles of their productive vocabulary in their essays revealed that they mostly used high frequent words but low frequency and academic words least. So, it was concluded that learners had limited lexical competence. These results revealed that all dimensions of vocabulary knowledge are interrelated and it is crucial to handle all in together to understand learners' needs. In this study, Turkish EFL learners' productive vocabulary was found as essential to be developed in relation with size and depth.