The Application of Semantic Field Theory to English Vocabulary Learning

This paper explores the application of the semantic field theory in English vocabulary learning. It first investigates classifications of various semantic relations, including hyponym, antonymy, synonymy, etc. Then it illustrates with abundant examples how to employ each sense relation in learning vocabulary with the application of the semantic field theory. The study is of non-neglectable significance in that it helps to enlarge learners’ vocabulary by constructing sense relations of new words and to help learners’ mastery of vocabulary, so that they can learn English vocabulary more efficiently and systematically.