The Lexical Approach

THE LEXICAL APPROACH
The Lexical Approach is a method of teaching foreign languages described by M. Lewis in the 1990s.
The basic concept on which this approach rests is the idea that an importantpart of learning a language consists of being able to understand and produce lexical phrases as chunks. Students are thought to be able to perceive patterns of language (grammar) as well as havemeaningful set uses of words at their disposal when they are taught in this way. In the lexical approach, instruction focuses on fixed expressions that occur frequently in dialogues, which Lewis claimsmake up a large part of discourse than unique phrases and sentences. Vocabulary is more prized over grammar per se in this approach. The teaching of chunks and set phrases has become common in Englishas a second or foreign language, though this is not necessarily primarily due to the Lexical Approach.
In a review of the approach, Dieter Kranz wrote, " The Lexical Approach can be summarized in afew words: language consists not of traditional grammar and vocabulary but often of multi-word prefabricated chunks" (TESL-EJ November 1997 — Volume 3, Number 1). He goes on to list the main principlesof the approach: "1. The grammar/vocabulary dichotomy is invalid. 2. Collocation is used as an organizing principle. 3. Successful language is a wider concept than accurate language. 4. TheObserve-Hypothesise-Experiment cycle replaces the Present-Practise-Produce Paradigm. 5. Most importantly, language consists of grammaticalised lexis–not lexicalised grammar" (ib.).

THEORY OF LEARNING
In thelexical approach, lexis in its various types is thought to play a central role in language teaching and learning. Nattinger suggests that teaching should be based on the idea that language productionis the piecing together of ready-made units appropriate for a particular situation. Comprehension of such units is dependent on knowing the patterns to predict in different situations. Instruction,...