scholarly journals Vocabulary Learning Strategies of Turkish EFL Learners: A Focus on Gender

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-54
Author(s):  
Hatice Okyar

This study aimed to (a) identify vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) employed by Turkish EFL learners; (b) determine whether the use of VLSs varies by gender. To achieve these aims, the vocabulary learning strategies scale developed by Kocaman and Kizilkaya Cumaoglu (2014) was administered to preparatory school students (n=209) at a state university in Turkey. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations) and an independent-samples t-test were used for statistical analyses. The results revealed that the frequency of VLS use was at a medium level. In addition, analysis of the sub-dimensions of the scale showed that memory, cognitive, compensation, and social strategies were used at a medium frequency level, while metacognitive and affective strategies were used at a high frequency. When VLS use was analyzed with respect to gender, a significant difference was seen between males and females, with female students having a higher total mean score than male students. Also, female students reported more use of memory, cognitive, compensation, metacognitive, and affective strategies; however, no statistically significant gender difference was found regarding the frequency of the use of social strategies.

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 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 242
Author(s):  
Mahsa Sistani ◽  
Mahmood Hashemian

<p>This study, first, examined whether there was any relationship between Iranian L2 learners’ vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs), on the one hand, and their multiple intelligences (MI) types, on the other hand. In so doing, it explored the extent to which MI would predict L2 learners’ VLSs. To these ends, 40 L2 learners from Isfahan University of Technology in Isfahan participated in the study, and the following instruments were utilized to collect the data: the Oxford Placement Test (OPT) to gauge participants’ proficiency level, the Multiple Intelligences Questionnaire (Mckenzie, 1999), and a vocabulary learning questionnaire based on the framework adopted from Schmitt’s (1990). The strategies were divided into five categories: determination, memory, social, metacognitive, and cognitive. To analyze the data, Pearson correlation was applied to find out the relationship between the participants’ intelligence categories and their preferred VLSs. Then, multiple regression analysis was run to indicate the significance of the specific VLSs in the participants’ intelligences. Results revealed that there was a strong positive relationship between participants’ intrapersonal intelligence and their tendency toward the cognitive and metacognitive strategies. Moreover, as participants’ scores in their interpersonal intelligence test increased, they inclined toward the social strategies more. A potential positive and significant relationship between visual/spatial intelligence and memory strategies and also linguistic intelligence and determination strategies was also found out. Overall results revealed that the participants made a significant difference regarding their decisions for particular VLSs, as intrapersonal, interpersonal, linguistic, and visual learners predicted more specific and significant VLSs in comparison with other types of intelligences.</p>


Author(s):  
Abdullah Sarani ◽  
Habib Shirzaei

Vocabulary is viewed as a major part of language proficiency as it allows learners to use four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The present study was carried out to compare Iranian undergraduate and postgraduate EFL learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. After that the study tried to see if there was any difference between highly-motivated and low-motivated learners with regard to vocabulary use. Finally, it aimed at investigating the differences between the Iranian EFL male and female learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. A group of 150 Iranian undergraduate and postgraduate EFL learners (75 males and 75 females) both at BA and MA levels from Zahedan universities were selected randomly. The participants’ ages ranged between18 to 42. The data were obtained through two questionnaires: Taxonomy of Vocabulary Learning Strategies developed by Schmitt (1997) and Gardner’s (1985) Attitude/ Motivation Test Battery (AMTB). The findings of the study showed that there was a significant difference between undergraduate and postgraduate EFL learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. Also, there was a difference between highly-motivated learners and low-motivated learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies. Moreover, the results showed that the interaction between the learners’ gender and motivation was significant. The results are theoretically and pedagogically significant for EFL teachers and applied linguists


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 603
Author(s):  
Elham Izadpana ◽  
Narjes Ghafournia

This study investigated the preferred vocabulary strategies, used by Iranian intermediate EFL learners and also the effect of strategy-based vocabulary instruction on students’ recall once immediately after the instruction period and once after a time interval (two weeks). In order to determine the learners’ level of proficiency, NET (Nelson English Test) was administered to the intended population. Those students, whose score fell within the range of 28-33 were labeled as intermediate. To identify the learners’ preferred vocabulary learning strategies, a questionnaire known as VOLSI (Vocabulary Learning Strategies Inventory) was given to them. The results indicated that there was not any significant difference between the mean scores of the participants in the control group and the participants in the experimental group (0.46). In simple words, the two groups were homogenous in terms of lexical knowledge at the beginning of the course. With regard to the obtained results for the two post-test phases, it was found that the post-treatment means of the two groups were significantly different in terms of recalling vocabulary.  Taken together, the findings of this study support the foreign language research literature on vocabulary strategy training.


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.


JET ADI BUANA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuri Lolita ◽  
Nur Fauzia

This study was conducted to examine the use of vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) by Music and Dance students as well as the impact of gender and grade levels on the use of learning strategies. A five Likert scale questionnaire, consisting of 36 items was classified under four strategy categories was administrated to 466 participants from the State University of Surabaya. There are male and female. The Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS, version 20) was used to analyze the obtained data. The results of the descriptive statistics showed that The State university of Surabaya students were medium strategy users. The study also found that the cognitive strategies were the most popular strategies among the learners. Social strategies were found to be the least preferred strategies. The results of the t-test showed that in general, the scores of female learners regarding the use of VLSs were slightly higher than male learners. Moreover, Music learners were found to be more strategy users than Dance learners. The results of ANOVA revealed significant differences regarding the use of VLSs and grade levels. Keywords: Vocabulary learning strategies, Music/Dance learners


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Yaser Hussien Hage

This study aims at investigating the vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) employed by supportive studies students of Turbah University College. The participants were 288 divided almost equally; males were 145 and females were 143. The study conducted in the 1st semester 2019/2020. Data was collected using a questionnaire adapted from Schmitt (1997) taxonomy. Data was analyzed with SPSS program, version 22. The results of this study demonstrated a changeable rate of using strategies in the five categories; determination, social, memory, cognitive and metacognitive. The overall mean score of strategies indicates a medium usage of strategies. Metacognitive and determination strategies were the most and the least used respectively. The results revealed statistically significant differences in the use of VLSs attributed to academic major; Arts students outperformed Science students in such use. The results also showed that female students were more active users of VLSs. However, no statistically significant differences in the use of VLSs attributed to gender factor.


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.


Author(s):  
Lê Thị Tuyết Hạnh

<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>


2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36
Author(s):  
Biljana Radić-Bojanić

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.


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