A discussion of teaching and learning vocabulary1. IntroductionVocabulary has always been considered a key element of language teaching and learning in EFL. However, compared to grammar teaching, vocabulary teaching seems to receive little attention and interest. It was not until the 1990s that increasing efforts were made toward the study of vocabulary as an important element of effective communication in second language learning. Wilkins points out that “without grammar, very little can be transmitted, but without vocabulary, nothing can be transmitted” (1972, p. 111, cited in Milton, Wade and Hopkins, 2010). Consistent with him, Ellis also emphasizes that the lexicon of foreign languages ​​is the basis for other aspects of language learning such as grammar (cited in Milton, Wade, & Hopkins, 2010). At the same time, as Laufer (1998) mentions, the major difference in vocabulary learning between foreign language learners and native speakers lies in the progression of vocabulary size. Although it is fair to say that words constitute the main units of vocabulary, Carter (1987) argues that a series of words does not constitute the entire vocabulary history of a language. Thus, different attempts have been made to explore the process of vocabulary learning, including the notion of conceptualization which Carter defines as the creation of new concepts based on already existing concepts and words. Furthermore, Cruse (2000) believes that the most effective way to understand meaning is to hold to the idea that meaning is conceptual in nature. Therefore, after a brief description of the importance and current status of vocabulary teaching and learning, this article aims to have a better understanding of language processing by exploring three key terms (i.e. language processing). ..... middle of article .......255Milton, J., Wade, J., & Hopkins, N. (2010). R. Chacon-Beltran, C. Abello-Contesse, and MM Torreblanca-Lopez (Eds.), Insights on teaching and learning non-native vocabulary (pp. 83-98). GBR: Multilingual Matters.Nation, P. . (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge: Pavičic Takač, V. (2008). of thought: a new philosophical direction. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. Vygotsky, L. & Kozulin, A. (1986). Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Williams, M. and Burden, R.L. (1997). Psychology for language teachers: a social constructivist approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.