Lexical Approach

After all the predominant grammar-based approaches, the lexical approach emerged
as a response to the lack of focus on the importance of vocabulary. The term lexical
approach was introduced in 1993 by Michael Lewis, who observed that "language
consists of grammaticalised lexis, not lexicalised grammar"
Basically Lewis in his first work suggests the following:
Lexis is the basis of language.
Grammatical mastery is not a requirement for effective communication.
Any meaning-centered syllabus should be organized around lexis rather than
grammar.
As mentioned in the first point Lexis is the basis of language, so it is now the turn to
define lexis and Lewis defined it as the combination of grammar plus vocabulary.
Some people wonder why not to use vocabulary instead of lexis, the reason for
this dwells in the difference of their meaning, while vocabulary is typically seen as
individual words whereas lexis is a somewhat wider concept and consists of
collocations, chunks and formulaic expressions. Therefore, by recognizing certain
grammar structures as lexical items means that learners can be introduced much
earlier, without structural analysis or elaboration.
Types of Lexical Units
Lewis also suggests that native speakers have a large inventory of lexical chunks
that are vital for fluent production. Chunks (strings of words which go together)
include collocations and fixed and semi-fixed expressions and idioms. Later in his
work Lewis stated that fluency does not depend on a set of generative grammar
rules and a separate store of isolated words, but on the ability to rapidly access this
inventory of chunks. These chunks occupy a key role in facilitating language
production and are the key to fluency.
With chunks learners are able to:
comprehend lexical phrases as unanalyzed wholes or chunks.
use whole phrases without understanding their constituent parts.
Taxonomy of Lexical Items
Lexical Item
words
polywords
collocations
institutionalized utterances
sentence frames and heads
text frames

Examples
book, pen
by the way, upside down
absolutely convinced, rancid butter
I'll get it; That'll do
That is not as [adjective] as you
The danger was...
In this paper we will explore...; Firstly...

think;

Lexis in Language Teaching and Learning

By implementing the lexical approach in the classroom, this one encourages
teachers to pay more attention to:

Lexis of different kinds

Specific language areas
Listening (at lower levels) and reading (at higher levels)
Organizing learners notebooks to reveal patterns
Preparing learners to chunk the language
Creating a habit of using dictionaries as learning sources

The lexical approach recommends the learning of multiword items as they aid the
learner in producing the language without much effort. But at the same time Lewis
emphasizes that the lexical approach in no way denies the importance of grammar.
The language activities consistent with the lexical approach must be directed toward
raising learners' awareness of the lexical nature of language. Activities of this nature
include the following:

Intensive and extensive listening and reading in the target language

First and second language comparisons and translation
Repetition and recycling of activities to keep words and expressions that have
been learned active
Guessing the meaning of vocabulary items from context
Noticing and recording language patterns and collocations
Working with dictionaries and other reference tools
Working with language corpuses to research word partnerships, preposition
usage, style, and so on.

To sum up, in the lexical approach Lewis suggests that language teaching should
include the teaching of lexical phrases or chunks. In fact, he advocates that lexical
phrases in any language offer more communicative and expressive power than
grammatical structures. He also highlights that without chunking acquisition,
comprehension and production of the language will be limited and slowed down.

References
Graham M. (2014). An Overview Of The Lexical Approach And Its Implementation At A Public
Elementary School In South Korea. Journal of International Education Research, 10, 271-278. April
2016
Islam C. (2004). Lexical Approach 1 - What does the lexical approach look like?. April 2016, de
Teaching English Sitio web: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/lexical-approach-1-whatdoes-lexical-approach-look
Moudraia O. (2001). Lexical Approach to Second Language Teaching. April 2016, de ERIC Digest
Sitio web: http://www.ericdigests.org/2002-2/lexical.htm