In direct vocabulary learning, the learners do exercises and activities that focus their attention on vocabulary, while in indirect vocabulary learning, the learners' attention is usually focused on the message. The communicative approach to language acquisition emphasizes the indirect implicit learning of vocabulary. Our research question is: Is direct learning helpful apart from indirect learning in the communicative approach? Our experiment was based on the actual Communicative English class in three parallel groups from Grade One who are all majoring in English. Our conclusion is: apart from indirect vocabulary learning in the communicative approach to language acquisition, direct learning (doing vocabulary exercises at least) is helpful to learners (at least not so advanced learners in the aspect of vocabulary) in their productive capacity of vocabulary. In short, direct learning is a helpful adjunct to natural indirect learning in context.
