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

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.

Author(s):  
Chiara Romagnoli ◽  
Sergio Conti

Abstract Vocabulary plays a crucial role in foreign language learning, and vocabulary mastery proves to be challenging at different competence levels. Compared to other areas of research into Chinese as a foreign language, vocabulary acquisition and vocabulary teaching have rarely been investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between vocabulary learning strategies and vocabulary size and to verify whether vocabulary size is positively correlated to proficiency level. A total of 95 Italian undergraduate Chinese learners, from elementary to intermediate levels, participated in this study. The participants were first given a vocabulary learning questionnaire and then a vocabulary size test. Statistical and qualitative analyses of the data revealed two trends: a poor variety of vocabulary learning strategies and a positive correlation between vocabulary size and proficiency level.


2012 ◽  
pp. 423-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Mizumoto

This study examined the effects of self-efficacy on language learning strategies by focusing on vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs). A group of 281 EFL learners from two universities participated in the study. They completed the Vocabulary Size Test (Nation & Beglar, 2007), questionnaires on self-efficacy, and an open-ended question about their use of VLSs. The learners were divided into three groups based on their responses to the self-efficacy questionnaire. The effect of self-efficacy was then examined by utilizing text mining. The results show that the effects of self-efficacy were observed in the participants’ open-ended responses. It also became clear that those with high self-efficacy were active users of VLSs, they employed deep strategies, and they were metacognitively superior to participants with medium and low efficiency. Those with medium self-efficacy were also active users of VLSs, but they used shallow strategies compared with the high self-efficiency group. Those with low self-efficacy tended to be passive users of VLSs. The pedagogical implications of the current study are discussed mainly in terms of incorporating self-efficacy and self-regulation enhancing instructions into vocabulary teaching.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-331
Author(s):  
Hélder Fanha Martins ◽  
Maria João Ferro

Among the essential challenges faced by students in foreign language learning processes is vocabulary learning. Lexical competence has been acknowledged as critical to the use of language in which the students’ inadequate knowledge of the vocabulary causes problems in learning a second language. Therefore, learners require being educated with vocabulary in learning strategies when learning a second language. Contemporary research has not scrutinised to the fullest the categories of strategies of vocabulary learning used by learners who are majoring in Accounting.  The main objective of this research was to understand how students use vocabulary learning strategies. For that, we adopted a qualitative approach, based on open-ended individual interviews with fifteen learners. The strategies that were concluded include the monolingual and bilingual dictionary use, usage of several media of English language, learning a word by specific texts, and application of new words in everyday conversation, interrelated to memory, strategies of metacognitive, and determination. These are common strategies and have keenly been used by students.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. 66-79
Author(s):  
Siti Nursakina Baharudin

Students need to take control of their learning process by knowing when, where and how to use appropriate learning strategies for effective learning to take place. One of the language learning strategies learners need to take into consideration is vocabulary learning strategy (VLS) as vocabulary is one of the crucial elements that learners need to master in language learning. Vocabulary learning strategies if used effectively will help learners to master a wide range of vocabulary. This study aims to identify the types of VLS which are frequently used among ESL undergraduates according to learners’ gender. Forty ESL undergraduates from various disciplines at a local university were involved in this study and data were collected to achieve the main objective of the study. The survey design was employed, and data were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive analysis to measure the frequency and percentage to identify the most frequent use of VLS and whether it differs from the undergraduates’ gender. The findings of this study found that male undergraduates used VLS more than female undergraduates and memory and social strategy were the most frequently used by female undergraduates while male undergraduates used more of cognitive and metacognitive strategy. Therefore, the findings of the study are indeed beneficial for learners to know which VLS suits them and how they can acquire a vast amount of vocabulary during their second language learning process by applying those vocabulary strategies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 1119
Author(s):  
Amir Marzban ◽  
Mojgan Firoozjahantigh

Two of the variables apparently contributing to the processes of EFL achievement are Willingness to Communicate (WTC) and Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS). They seem to be fundamental among Iranian EFL learners due to the fact that semantics and its backbone—vocabulary—as well as the incentive or motivation, Willingness to Communicate (WTC)—influence the progress and improvement of the proficiency of Iranian EFL learners. Moreover, the review of literature clarifies the fact that few studies have tried to open up the relationship between these two variables, i.e. WTC and VLS. Hence, the present study explored the relationship between the WTC and VLS among Iranian EFL learners. Based on this, 137 intermediate Iranian EFL learners who were studying in a language institute in Tehran were selected as the participants of the study. They were asked to fill out two questionnaires including WTC and VLS. The finding indicated that there is a significant correlation between the two variables. The study provided some pedagogical implications for those who are concerned with language learning and teaching including language teachers, teacher trainers, syllabus designers, and EFL learners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S F Lensun

The Educators must place their students as people who naturally have experience, knowledge, desires, and thoughts that can be used to learn, both individually and in groups. All language learning strategies have the main goal of increasing one's ability to speak. The choice of teaching and learning strategies language learning strategies must be based on the consideration of placing students as subjects of learning who not only passively accept what is conveyed by educators. Teaching Japanese especially kanji using various learning strategies makes it easy for Japanese learners especially in learning Japanese letters/starch. Language learning strategies/learning strategies used are direct strategies and indirect strategies. Direct Strategy is a strategy that is directly related to foreign language learning. That is directly related to language in various tasks and situations, consisting of (1) memory strategies, (2) cognitive strategies, and (3) compensation strategies. Indirect Strategies in language learning are strategies that indirectly support language learning through ways such as the focus of learning, planning, assessment, acquiring learning opportunities, avoiding anxiety in learning, working with others. This strategy consists of three elements, namely (1) metacognitive strategies that are tasked with coordinating the learning process, (2) affective strategies that are in charge of regulating emotions, and (3) social strategies that are tasked with fostering cooperation with others in the learning process. This study aims to obtain scientific data the process of increasing mastery of Japanese letters/kanji by applying Language learning strategies direct strategies and indirect strategies. The method used in this study is an action research method. Data from the research results were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Referring to the model developed by Kemmis and Mc. Taggart is a spiral model. The research method used is the method of Action research with four steps, namely (planning, implementation, observation, and reflection). Use of the application of Language Learning Strategies in Kanji learning among others: (1) the development of writing and Kanji reading skills through meaningful learning experiences, (2) Kanji learning is more systematic and creative both individually and in collaboration with friendsKeywords: Language, learning, strategies, Kanji


Author(s):  
Hamza Atifnigar Editor ◽  
Zia Ur Rahman Zaheer ◽  
Wahidullah Alokozay

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.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document