Chinese vocabulary learning strategies by English-speaking learners: A think-aloud study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-262
Author(s):  
Jing Yan
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Metacognitive Strategies ◽  
Think Aloud ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Mental Actions

Abstract Learning Chinese vocabulary is challenging for learners whose first language is alphabet-based. Researchers have embarked on investigating Chinese vocabulary learning strategies from both a psycholinguistic and a pedagogical perspective. Learning strategies are defined as observable behaviors and mental actions that are consciously employed by learners for comprehending, processing, and storing language knowledge. This paper reports a study in which the think-aloud research method is employed for exploring Chinese vocabulary learning strategies of English-speaking learners. The participants were eight learners of Chinese from a university in the UK. The results reveal that learners employ orthographic strategies, semantic strategies, memory strategies, phonological strategies, and metacognitive strategies. Furthermore, this study found that overt physical behaviors and mental actions cannot be separated. Various mental actions were underneath similar physical behaviors, which may lead to variations in learning outcomes. Second, there are metacognitive strategies, with which the participants could use in deciding, monitoring, and evaluating the use of specific cognitive strategies. This study suggests that Chinese vocabulary learning strategies need to be described in a holistic manner wherein physical and mental actions involved in cognitive strategies and metacognitive strategies are all taken into consideration so as to inform strategy instruction.

scholarly journals Saudi English Major Freshmen Students’ Vocabulary Learning Strategies: An Exploratory Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim R. Alqarni
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Metacognitive Strategies ◽  
Social Strategies ◽  
King Saud University ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Memory Strategies ◽  
Freshmen Students ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies

This study aims at exploring the vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) employed by Saudi Freshmen students majoring in English as a foreign language (EFL). The participants are 81 Saudi male students in their first semester in the English Department and Translation in the College of Language and Translation at King Saud University. Data was collected using a questionnaire which was adapted from the study of Rabadi (2016) and was analyzed using the SPSS program. The overall results of this study show that participants use all of the different vocabulary learning strategies: Determination strategies, Memory strategies, Cognitive strategies, Metacognitive strategies, and Social strategies, with different degrees of frequency. By looking at the sub-categories of the strategies the results indicate that Metacognitive strategies (mean score: 1.98/4) are the most used and/or preferred strategies by all participants, followed by Social strategies (MS: 1.91), Determination strategies (MS: 1.62), Cognitive strategies (MS: 1.39) and Memory strategies (MS: 1.26) respectively. However, the overall mean score of (1.63) for the use of the strategies indicates that the participants of this study are low/poor users of vocabulary learning strategies in general. 

scholarly journals An Overview of Preferred Vocabulary Learning Strategies by Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Kanthimathi Letchumanan ◽  
Paramasivam Muthusam ◽  
Potchelvi Govindasamy ◽  
Atieh Farashaiyan
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Metacognitive Strategies ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies

<p>This article aimed at examining the various vocabulary learning strategies used by learners to learn a word. Data from the study showed that learners do use certain vocabulary learning strategies and that strategy has become their preferred vocabulary learning strategies. The study also showed that learners use more than one strategy to learn a vocabulary. Thus, the study confirmed that multiple use of vocabulary learning strategies are preferred by learners especially the cognitive, determination and metacognitive strategies.</p>

scholarly journals VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGY USE AMONG EFL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN VIETNAM

2018 ◽  
Vol 127 (6B) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Lê Thị Tuyết Hạnh
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Social Strategies ◽  
New Words ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Strategy Use ◽  
Second Year

<p><em>Abstract:</em> This study examined the use of vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) among EFL university students in Vietnam. The research involved 213 EFL university students, 61 second year students and 152 third year students at Vinh University. The study used mixed methods, including Schmitt (1997)’s VLS questionnaire, learners’ diaries and interviews. Results indicated that cognitive strategies were the most frequently used and social strategies, which are used to consolidate new words, are the least frequently used ones. The data from diaries and interviews also showed that there is a lack of organized practice of vocabulary learning among the participants. Some pedagogical implications are discussed and suggested for English vocabulary teaching</p><p>Key words: vocabulary learning strategies, vocabulary learning, EFL university students</p>

scholarly journals EFL vocabulary learning strategies among high school students

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36
Author(s):  
Biljana Radić-Bojanić
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Grammar School ◽  
School Students ◽  
Compensatory Strategies ◽  
Memory Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies

The paper examines how frequently high school students use EFL vocabulary learning strategies and whether contextual educational factors have any influence on strategy selection. The theoretical part discusses the importance of language learning strategies, which can facilitate the internalization, storage, retrieval, or use of the new language, factors that affect their usage and selection (e.g. nature of the task, students' motivation, foreign language proficiency, teacher's expectations, students' learning styles, students' gender), as well as the process of vocabulary acquisition. The empirical part presents the results of the analysis of a survey conducted among students from two high schools in Serbia, a vocational school and a grammar school. The aim of the research is to determine how frequently students use vocabulary learning strategies and if there are any statistically significant differences in strategy use between students from the two schools which are the consequence of different subjects and learning objectives. The results show that the majority of vocabulary learning strategies have medium use among high school students (seven out of nine memory strategies, seven out of nine cognitive strategies and two out of four compensatory strategies) and that there are certain inter-group differences (whereas students from the medical high school use memory strategies more frequently, students from the grammar school report higher use of cognitive and compensatory strategies). The results indicate that there are important cross-curricular links which point to the transfer of learning strategies from content subjects to English language classes.

scholarly journals Students’ Vocabulary Learning Strategies of Discovery and Consolidation in Malaysian Primary School English Language Classrooms

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Fung-Chien Kho ◽  
Joseph Ramanair ◽  
Ambigapathy Pandian
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Metacognitive Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Social Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
Cognitive Memory

A good grasp of vocabulary enables language learners to articulate, comprehend and communicate ideas and concepts effectively. For learners whose first language is not English, mastering vocabulary knowledge in terms of the breadth and depth is challenging and needs to start at a young age through the use of various strategies. The lack of English language vocabulary knowledge would demotivate learners and even result in abandoning efforts to learn the language. Therefore, it is important that learners know and are able to use five strategies, which include determination, social, cognitive, memory, and metacognitive strategies to learn vocabulary. Determination and social strategies are in the discovery category, while social cognitive, memory, and metacognitive strategies are in the consolidation category. This study aims to determine the vocabulary learning strategies used by 132 Year Five primary school English language students in two urban National Type Chinese schools in Sarawak. It investigated the strategies these learners used, how frequently they used them, and their reasons for preferring particular strategies. Data were collected from two classrooms at each school through the use of questionnaire and individual interview. Questionnaire results were analysed descriptively in terms of mean scores and standard deviation while interview responses were coded, categorised and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that while the students employed moderate use of all the five strategies, cognitive strategies which involved mechanical approaches were the most used while social strategies were not used by all students.

scholarly journals Vocabulary Learning Strategies and their Relation to Vocabulary Size in Saudi Female Undergraduate EFL Learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 218-223
Author(s):  
Ghada Alahmad
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Female Undergraduate ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies

It is generally agreed in the field of Foreign Language Learning (FLL) that Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLSs) are a subcategory of the more general Language Learning Strategies (LLSs). Research into LLSs began based on the belief that language aptitude was not the only determinant factor of language achievement, and that the learners’ own learning effort and the way they approach language learning also played a major role. The purpose of this study is to investigate VLS use of Saudi female undergraduate EFL learners in each stage of the Vocabulary Learning Process (VLP) and its relation to their vocabulary size. The study population consisted of female students enrolled in the final year of the undergraduate English language program in an English department in a Saudi university. Forty-one students participated in this study, and two data collection instruments were used. The first instrument was a frequency of use questionnaire designed based on the learning process-oriented taxonomy of VLSs. The second was a Vocabulary Size Test. The analyses show that the participants used 17 strategies with a high frequency in all the stages of the VLP except for Stages Four and Six. The analyses also show that the most frequently used strategies were mainly cognitive strategies (nine strategies) and metacognitive strategies (five strategies). In terms of the relationship between the use of VLSs and vocabulary size, two strategies were found to be positively correlated with the participants’ vocabulary size. Interestingly, other strategies that are known to be effective in vocabulary learning were found to have a negative correlation with the participants’ vocabulary size.

scholarly journals A descriptive study on ESL learners’ vocabulary knowledge through cognitive and metacognitive strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Aravind B R ◽  
Rajasekaran V
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Metacognitive Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
Esl Learners ◽  
Cognitive And Metacognitive Strategies

The present research was carried out to study the cognitive and metacognitive vocabulary learning strategies of 36 ESL learners’. Schmitt’s Vocabulary Learning Strategies questionnaire was used to conduct the study. The study revealed the subsequent array of cognitive and metacognitive strategies employed by ESL learners. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 10 ESL learners’ who completed the questionnaire to get more reliable information about learners’ strategies with vocabulary learning. The findings indicated that ‘Using English Language Media’, ‘Verbal repetition’, ‘Take notes in class’ were the most popular strategies, whereas ‘Skip or pass new word’ and ‘Put English labels on physical objects’ were least used. The results of this paper provide many implications for English language teaching. Detailed explanations of the participants’ cognitive and metacognitive strategies were given in the discussion.

scholarly journals Investigating English Students` Vocabulary Learning Strategies at Raden Intan State Islamic University

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-186
Author(s):  
Iwan Kurniawan ◽  
Melinda Roza ◽  
Juhana Juhana
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
English Education ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Metacognitive Strategies ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Learning Problems ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
English Students

The purpose of this study was to determine the types of Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS), the most and least frequently used VLSs by female and male students, and the types of VLSs chosen to address vocabulary learning problems. This study employed a survey technique. The population for this study was drawn from Lampung State Islamic University's English Education Department, which consisted of three classes and had a total enrollment of approximately 75 students. Female students totaled 64, while male students totaled 11. The sample consisted of fourth-semester students. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire that Gu and Johnson proposed in 1996. Interviews were also used as a tool. All English department students at Lampung State Islamic University used one of four vocabulary learning strategies. Among the four categories of Vocabulary Learning Strategies, students in the three classes favoured metacognitive strategies the most, as indicated by the mean score (2.90). On the other hand, the least frequently used strategy was memory/repetition, as indicated by the lowest mean score (2.22). Female students tended to use metacognitive strategies, as indicated by their highest mean score (2.87), while male students tended to use memories/repetition strategies, as indicated by their average score (2.2). Additionally, the most frequently used strategy by male students was metacognitive strategy with a mean score of (2.93), while the least frequently used strategy was activation with a mean score of (2.93). (2.31). To overcome the problem of vocabulary acquisition, the students used the strategies of consulting a dictionary first, followed by learning grammar and asking other people second. The final strategies used were word practise and internet surfing. 

scholarly journals Chinese EFL University Students’ Self-Reported Use of Vocabulary Learning Strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Sijing Fu
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Memory Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
Efl Students

This study conducted the semi-structured interview to investigate the types of vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) Chinese English major university students employed and the factors for their VLS use. Chinese EFL learners frequently employed determination and cognitive strategies. They mainly used the mechanical strategies and focused on English words&rsquo; meanings based on Chinese equivalents. They preferred bilingual dictionaries, repetition, and memorization of fixed examples involving news words. They used metacognitive and memory strategies less frequently. This study proposed that Chinese EFL students&rsquo; rote memorization of English vocabulary was due to Chinese culture of learning, which values knowledge authority, consolidation and foundation, and also effort and perseverance. Additionally, the less L2 English immersion including L1 Chinese environment and non-communicative EFL environment also leads to Chinese EFL students&rsquo; VLSs use. Therefore, it is suggested that students be encouraged to use more memory strategies and metacognitive strategies. English teachers should provide students with strategy instructions and guide students to learn vocabulary through different types of VLSs in classes. After class, students could be encouraged to learn vocabulary incidentally through both intensive and extensive reading.&nbsp;

scholarly journals A Survey of University Students’ Knowledge of Vocabulary Learning Strategies and Influential Factors in Middle East

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Rasti Behbahani
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Metacognitive Strategies ◽  
T Test ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies

In this study, the most and the least common vocabulary learning strategies was explored among Eastern Mediterranean University international students. Besides, the role of personal factors such as gender and English proficiency level of students were considered. After distributing the questionnaire, the data were analyzed applying t-test and ANOVA. It was revealed that the level of importance of vocabulary learning strategy use was moderate for the EMU international students. Furthermore, it was found that metacognitive strategies and social strategies are the most and the least common vocabulary learning strategies respectively utilized by EMU international students for learning vocabulary. Regarding the role of gender and proficiency level, the t-test and ANOVA results indicated that gender was an effective factor; whereas, proficiency was not an influential factor in preference of students for using vocabulary learning strategies. Male students preferred detrimental strategies but females preferred metacognitive strategies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document