Vocabulary Learning in Uninstructed Silent Reading and Story Rewriting

2009 ◽  
Vol 158 ◽  
pp. 97-134
Author(s):  
Sandra Siok Lee

Abstract A current issue in L2 reading research is whether extensive reading promotes vocabulary development. This study examined vocabulary acquisition in uninstructed silent reading of a short story with and without a vocabulary list followed by a story rewriting task. Time constraints of a public school setting prevented an extended period of study required for extensive reading research, but vocabulary learning strategies and outcomes of this study are applicable to extensive reading. This study also explored Hinkel’s (2006) recommendation to modify the goal of extensive reading programs to meet the pedagogical ideal of integrated skills learning, that is, reading and vocabulary learning. Questioning the traditional goal of extensive reading to read relatively quickly for general ideas, Hinkel (2006) also proposes that it should draw learner attention to some aspect of language such as vocabulary. Similarly, Nation (2005) emphasizes need for deliberate vocabulary learning in extensive reading which should form a substantial and obligatory part of language courses (p.15). Due to the assumption that uninstructed sustained silent reading encourages students to read widely, I will refer to research on “extensive reading,” using Hinkel’s (2006) and Day, Omura, and Hiramatsu’s (1991) operational definition of sustained silent reading as extensive reading for pleasure over time.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Sijing Fu

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’ 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’ 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’ 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. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroko Yoshida

A number of studies have demonstrated that extensive reading (ER) can result in a variety of language learning gains; however, how ER programs should best be implemented in the EFL classroom has not been fully explored. This article provides practical advice to instructors in this regard and asserts the effectiveness of active involvement in sustained silent reading (SSR) to foster ER learning. 多読の有用性については多くの研究で報告されているが、授業で実際に多読を実施する最良の指導法については十分に議論されていない。本論では、この観点において教師に実践的な助言を施し、教師が授業内多読に積極的にかかわり持続的黙読(SSR)を行うことの有効性について述べる。


Author(s):  
Sy-ying Lee

English education in Taiwan has been an issue for many years and the search for the core of the problem is still ongoing. What has been missing in our English education? This paper attempts to deal with several interrelated issues which are believed to be of vital importance when discussing the problem of our English education and when trying to determine ways of improving it: (1) storytelling as an indispensable first step; (2) storytelling as the bridge to independent reading; (3) extensive reading as the most enjoyable and effective means for continuing language acquisition, (4) extensive reading in the form of in-class sustained silent reading as the most important factor for developing one’s academic language as well as writing ability. Finally, (5) I intend to hypothesize, with the support of research and theory, that there is a developmental path for foreign language acquisition which corresponds very well with first language development.


Vocabulary learning is one of the problems in language learning skills. Tackling such problems is to provide useful and effective strategies for enhancing students’ VLSs. Therefore, this study aims to survey vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) utilized among English as a Foreign Language learners (EFL) in Baghlan University of Afghanistan, and to study the high and least frequently used VLSs that contributes to the learners’ vocabulary knowledge. This study utilizes a descriptive quantitative research method with 67 EFL learners who participated in the survey questionnaire adopted from Oxford (1990) taxonomy of VLS from different faculties of Baghlan University. The findings indicated that EFL learners preferably utilize VLSs at a medium level, and the highly used vocabulary learning strategies are the social strategies through which they ask the native speakers, teachers, and classmates for the meanings of new words in English language conversation. Determination, cognitive, and memory strategies are respectively followed by the learners. Whereas, metacognitive strategies are the least used strategies among EFL learners, the reason is that they only focus on the materials related to examination; explore anything about the new words for learning, and rarely think of their improvement in vocabulary learning.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Kanthimathi Letchumanan ◽  
Paramasivam Muthusam ◽  
Potchelvi Govindasamy ◽  
Atieh Farashaiyan

<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>


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 294-315
Author(s):  
Reem Ibrahim Rabadi ◽  
Batoul Al-Muhaissen

Abstract This study explores the use of Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLSs) by Jordanian undergraduate students majoring French as a Foreign Language (FFL) at Jordanian universities. The vocabulary learning strategies (Memory, Determination, Social, Cognitive, and Metacognitive) were used in this study following Schmitt’s taxonomy. A five-point Likert-scale questionnaire containing 37 items adapted from Schmitt’s (1997) Vocabulary Learning Strategies Questionnaire (VLSQ) administered to 840 FFL undergraduates randomly selected from seven Jordanian universities. The descriptive analysis showed that the participants of the study regardless of their year of study were medium strategy users overall. The results revealed that Memory strategies were the most frequently employed strategies, whereas the Social strategies were the least frequently used ones. Although the participants were medium strategy users, the results of the VLSQ disclosed that some individual strategies were employed at a high level. Accordingly, detecting these strategies will be beneficial to language instructors to improve effective vocabulary teaching techniques and to motivate language learners to use them more frequently.


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