Awareness of L1 and L2 word-formation mechanisms for the development of a more autonomous L2 learner

Abstract

Unlike traditional approaches, new communicative trends disregard the role of word-formation mechanisms. They tend to focus on syntax and/or vocabulary without analyzing the mechanisms involved in the creation of lexical items. In this paper, based on the analysis of the use of prefixes by L2 learners in oral and written productions, as provided by the SULEC, we emphasize the advantages that wordformation awareness and knowledge may have for the learners in terms of production, creativity, understanding, autonomy, and proficiency. Through the teaching of wordformation learners may more easily decipher, decode and/or encode messages, create words they have never seen before, etc.