JALT2025 - Tokyo

TED Talks and the Textbook: An In-Depth Lexical Analysis

Nov 1, 2025, 2:30 PM

30m

National Olympics Memorial Youth Center / 国立オリンピック記念青少年総合センター

Research-oriented Presentation (30-minutes) Language Classroom Content Room 508

Speakers

Dr Naheen Madarbakus-Ring (University of Tsukuba) Stuart Benson (University of Aizu)

Description

The development of TED Talks textbooks offer educators and learners a suitable framework for practicing all four of the language skills. However, vocabulary challenges remain for learners. This study investigated the vocabulary of 12 TED Talks included in Keynote 2 to understand the lexical profile, vocabulary load, and the academic and multiword unit coverage for the listening texts. The results showed the textbook provided inadequate vocabulary practice, limited exposure, and a lack repetition for learners.

Summary

The development of TED Talks textbooks offer educators and learners a suitable framework for practicing all four of the language skills. However, vocabulary challenges remain for learners. This study investigated the vocabulary of 12 TED Talks included in Keynote 2 to understand the lexical profile, vocabulary load, and the academic and multiword unit coverage for the listening texts. The results showed the textbook provided inadequate vocabulary practice, limited exposure, and a lack repetition for learners.