Receptive Vocabulary Knowledge or Productive Vocabulary Knowledge in Writing Skill, Which One Important?

This paper discusses the role of vocabulary knowledge on the writing performance of the Arabic language which known as a foreign language in the Malaysian education system. It also discussed the role of each part of vocabulary knowledge which namely receptive vocabulary knowledge and productive vocabulary knowledge. This paper reviews scholars’ views regarding the relationship of both receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge in producing written text. It also highlights the comparison between Arabic vocabulary knowledge and English due to enhance learners’ writing skill. Conclusion and recommendations such as integrating receptive and productive instructional styles were made in order to increase learners' interest towards writing in Arabic.