The Relation of Language Experience to Vocabulary Size

This study examines the relationship between the frequency of language experience and vocabulary size in Chinese as a second language (L2). 41 British-born Chinese children (8-16-year-olds) participated in a word association test containing 5 stimuli in Chinese to estimate their vocabulary size. And their language experience related to Chinese including the frequency of two types of book reading activities language use and language-learning experience was measured by a self-report questionnaire. Results revealed a significant difference between the frequency of personal book reading activities and vocabulary size in Chinese while the frequency-related difference of shared book reading activities was only found in the younger group (8-11-year-olds). However no significant effect of the frequency of Chinese use and Chinese learning experience was found on Chinese vocabulary size.