Vocabulary Acquisition In Adult ESL: A Multimodal Approach To Life Sciences Terminology Through Narrow Reading And Viewing

Abstract

Mastering specialized vocabulary is a critical component of academic success for adult English as a Second Language learners in the life sciences. This paper explores a multimodal approach to vocabulary acquisition that combines narrow reading and viewing of discipline-specific content to support the development of these essential linguistic skills. For this study, Charles Harpur’s “A midsummer Noon in the Australian Forest” is used by the researcher. Drawing on research in second language acquisition, the study investigates the efficacy of integrating textual and multimedia resources to enhance the learning and retention of life sciences terminology. The findings suggest that this multimodal strategy can lead to improved vocabulary knowledge and conceptual understanding, underscoring the value of leveraging diverse modalities to optimize vocabulary learning for adult ESL students in technical fields.