Plumbing the Depths
Abstract
The term depth of knowledge has gained currency in the literature on second language vocabulary assessment, but it has been used by various authors in rather different ways. This chapter outlines three approaches—precision of meaning, comprehensive word knowledge and network knowledge—and discusses the assessment procedures associated with each one. Several studies comparing breadth and depth of knowledge are also considered. It is argued that a single term such as depth is inadequate and should be replaced by more specific definitions of what is being assessed by particular vocabulary instruments.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Second Language Acquisition and Learning
EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning
Educational and Psychological Assessments
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Vocabulary
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Pages
- 70–86
- Publication date
- 5 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter