Digital Lexicography in ESP: Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition and Reading Comprehension in Students of Commerce Degree

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Sketch Engine and Lexonomy on vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension in English for Specific Purposes (ESP), focusing on international commerce among undergraduate students. Conducted over thirteen weeks, the research involved 90 first-year Commerce students from a public university in Madrid. A pre-experimental design was implemented, dividing participants into control and experimental groups. The control group used traditional analogue dictionaries, while the experimental group utilized digital tools to compile specialized dictionaries. Performance was assessed through pre- and post-intervention reading comprehension tests and a questionnaire assessed the use of lexicographical resources by ESP undergraduate students. On the one hand, results revealed that the use of these two lexicographical digital tools implies significant improvements regarding vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension. On the other hand, digital tools emerged as the preferred resources, emphasizing translation, contextual meaning, and voice search functionalities, though challenges such as navigation difficulties and interpreting phonetic transcriptions were noted. The findings underscore the pedagogical potential of digital lexicography to enhance ESP instruction, foster autonomous learning, and equip students with essential professional skills. This research provides a foundation for integrating innovative methodologies into higher education, contributing to more effective and equitable teaching practices. Keywords: Sketch Engine, Lexonomy, didactic lexicography, English for Specific Purposes, reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition