Abstract: Second language acquisition (SLA) has been one of the most important issues for L2 researchers and learners. For non-English major learners, they have invested a lot of time without getting a corresponding return. In recent years, a large number of literature and empirical studies have proved that different output activities play positive roles on the incidental vocabulary acquisition(IVA). This paper attempts to analyze issues with vocabulary acquisition that non-English majors are likely to encounter in language output tasks. By contrasting and analyzing experimental results, this paper concludes that different reading tasks will produce significantly different effects on IVA, and that the IVA may be promoted through increased exposure to English reading materials, more opportunities for cooperative learning as well as increased effective involvement loads.

Key words: non-English major learners, incidental vocabulary acquisition, reading tasks, output, involvement loads

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction...1

2. Literature Review..2

    2.1 Incidental vocabulary acquisition 

2.2 Theoretical Foundations

  2.3 Output hypothesis

  2.4 Interaction hypothesis

  2.5 Involvement Load Hypothesis

  2.6 Collaborative Learning

3. Discussion on previous empirical studies...5

3.1 Experimental process of empirical Study I 

3.2 Experimental process of empirical Study II 

3.3 Experimental process of empirical Study III 

3.4 Reflection

4. Conclusion.8

Bibliography.. 13

Acknowledgments....15