Filling the Gap between Active and Passive Word Knowledge with the Focus on Colligation

Objectives This paper discovered what it takes to convert passive vocabulary into active vocabulary. Methods Forty-six Korean EFL college students participated in this study. Two vocabulary tasks - matching and translation tasks - were administered to assess their passive and active word knowledge. Both tasks included 15 target words, all of which are high-frequency vocabulary. The translation task featured colligation, one aspect of vocabulary knowledge. Based on the results of the two tasks, eight students - four had good active vocabulary and the other four did not - were chosen as interviewees. The interview focused mainly on how students with good active vocabulary have built on such vocabulary. Results Students with good active vocabulary in terms of colligation turned out to be fully aware of the importance of high-frequency words, putting a premium on high-frequency words in their vocabulary study. They were also found to have their own learning strategies for enhancing their active vocabulary: using self-talk, writing a vocabulary journal, paraphrasing, and using online resources. Conclusions EFL students need to be helped to realize that high-frequency words should be prioritized in improving active vocabulary, given that it would be unrealistic for them to be able to accurately use every English word. They should also be encouraged to find learning methods and resources that work for them to turn their passive vocabulary into active one.