The document discusses technical vocabulary in vocational contexts. It explains that technical vocabulary refers to words that have exact meanings within specific contexts compared to general language. Understanding technical vocabulary is important for concepts, ideas, and texts within vocational courses. The document provides an example of technical terms from an automotive passage and lists the frequency of words from the passage to identify terms learners may need more support with. It suggests developing vocabulary frequency lists for vocational courses can help tutors and learners focus on important technical terms.

1. Technical Vocabulary in
Vocational Contexts
Emma McLaughlin

2. Focus
Technical vocabulary
Why vocabulary?
Vocabulary demands of a text
Vocabulary lists
Glossaries

3. What is technical vocabulary?
Words that don’t have exact
synonyms or different meanings in
other contexts
(Mudraya, 2006)
Closely related to the topic and not
likely to be known in general
language with the same meaning
(Nation, 2001, 2003)

4. Why?
Concepts and ideas
Pre-teach
Simplification

5. The Electronic Control Unit uses the
information provided by the engine sensors to
ensure that the engine is operated at its
optimum settings to control the open period
of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel
economy and reduced engine emissions.
(Electrical and Communications, Protecting Electronics p.15 - 16)

6. The Electronic Control Unit uses the
information provided by the engine sensors to
ensure that the engine is operated at its
optimum settings to control the open period
of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel
economy and reduced engine emissions.
(Vocational Tutor)

7. The Electronic Control Unit uses the
information provided by the engine sensors to
ensure that the engine is operated at its
optimum settings to control the open period
of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel
economy and reduced engine emissions.
(ESOL Tutor)

8. The Electronic Control Unit uses the
information provided by the engine sensors to
ensure that the engine is operated at its
optimum settings to control the open period
of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel
economy and reduced engine emissions.
(Learner)

9. The Electronic Control Unit uses the
information provided by the engine sensors
to ensure that the engine is operated at its
optimum settings to control the open period
of the injectors, or ‘on time’, and the precise
timing of the ignition, to give good fuel
economy and reduced engine emissions.
Source: Bauer and Nation: Vocabulary Profiler

10. Vocabulary on each list

11. exhaust
ignition
electronic

12. Ignition (31)
electronic (14)
exhaust (4)

13. • Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes utilizing a
hydraulic system assisted by an air pressure
system.
Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes utilizing a
hydraulic system assisted by an air pressure
system.
• Air-over-hydraulic brakes: Brakes using a
hydraulic system helped by an air pressure
system.

14. So what?
• Foundation courses - help learners pathway
onto vocational courses
• ESOL learners - help learners pathway onto
vocational courses
• Tutors - vocabulary demands of a text
• Tutors - words learners need to focus on

15. Where to from here?
Develop vocabulary frequency lists for
vocational courses.