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DIAGNOSING ESL LEARNERS’ VOCABULARY KNOWLEDGE THROUGH MEMORY STRATEGIES
Corresponding Author(s) : Aravind B R
Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews,
Vol. 7 No. 5 (2019): September
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The present study diagnoses the vocabulary knowledge employed by ESL learners’ through memory strategies. Schmiit’s (1990) Taxonomy of Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS) questionnaire was adopted and administered to 93 ESL learners. In order to get authenticities about the ESL learners’ memory strategies with vocabulary learning, semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 30 participants who completed the questionnaire. The result exposed the subsequent array of memory strategies used by ESL learners from the most frequent to the least frequent strategies, particularly findings revealed that ‘Use new word in sentences’, ‘Study word with a pictorial representation of its Meaning’, ‘Connect word to a personal experience’ are most popular whereas ‘Use scales for gradable adjectives’, ‘Relating word to unrelated items (Peg method)’ were least used memory strategies.
Methodology: Schmitt’s Vocabulary Learning Strategies Questionnaire (VLSQ) (1997) was favored to diagnose the vocabulary knowledge through memory strategies of 93 ESL learners. Initially the responses were collected through Google Forms. Additionally, 30 ESL learners were randomly selected for interviews in accordance to reassure participants’ comprehension of the subject matters.
Main Findings: The study finds effective result among 93 ESL learners in acquiring vocabulary knowledge while using memory strategies with the assistance of technological modalities. It also listed the most frequent and least frequent use of memory strategies in Schmitt’s Vocabulary Learning Strategies Questionnaire (VLSQ) (1997).
Applications of this study: The present study is conducted in English Language Laboratory, where ESL learners’ can be benefitted and the learners can use these memory strategies while learning a new vocabulary when encountering a word.
Novelty/Originality of this study: The existing technological modalities will assist the learners to correlate more effectively. Subject and language experts in the field can design the instructional materials and tools to assist ESL learners to improve vocabulary knowledge through memory strategies.
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- Aravind, B. R., & Rajasekaran, V. (2018). Advanced technological modality to explore ESL learners’ vocabulary knowledge through social strategies. Journal of Advanced Research in Dynamical and Control Systems, 10(10), 250-256.
- Aravind, B. R., & Rajasekaran, V. (2019). Technological modality to influence persuasive and argumentative vocabulary for effective communication with reference to selected TED talk videos. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering, 7(5), 165-170.
- Danesi M (2003). Second language teaching a view from the right side of the brain. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0187-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0187-8
- Goleman, D. (1986). Mental images: New research helps clarify their role. New York Times. August 12.
- Gu, Y. & Johnson, R.K. (1996) Vocabulary learning strategies and language learning outcomes. Language Learning, 46, 643-679. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1996.tb01355.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1996.tb01355.x
- Hodges, R.E. (1984). Vocabulary, Eric Clearinghouse on reading and communication skills, Urbana, IL. National Institute for Education, Washington, DC. (Eric Document Reproduction Service No. ED 250 696).
- Mokhtar, A. A., Rawian, R. M., Yahaya, M. F., Abdullah, A., Mansor, M., Osman, M. I., . . . Mohamed, A. R. (2010). Vocabulary Knowledge of Adult ESL Learners. English Language Teaching, 3(1). https://doi:10.5539/elt.v3n1p71 [Accessed December 10, 2018] DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v3n1p71
- Nayan, S., & Krishnasamy, H. N. (2015). A Preliminary Study on Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by the Students from the Faculty of Accountancy. International Journal of Languages, Literature and Linguistics, 1(1), 10-14. https://doi:10.7763/ijlll.2015.v1.3 [Accessed February 2, 2019] DOI: https://doi.org/10.7763/IJLLL.2015.V1.3
- Oxford, R. (1990). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. New York: Newbury House.
- Ramos, F. D. (2015). Incidental Vocabulary Learning in Second Language Acquisition: A Literature Review. PROFILE Issues in Teachers Professional Development, 17(1), 157-166. https://doi:10.15446/profile.v17n1.43957 [Accessed April 4, 2019] DOI: https://doi.org/10.15446/profile.v17n1.43957
- Sanaoui, R. (1995). Adult learners' approaches to learning vocabulary in second languages. The Modern Language Journal, 79(1), 15-28. https://doi:10.1111/j.1540-4781.1995.tb05410.x [Accessed March 30, 2019] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1995.tb05410.x
- Schmitt, N. and McCarthy, M. (eds.). (1997). Vocabulary: Description, Acquisition, and Pedagogy. Cambridge University Press.
- Shepherd, R. (1984). Elasticizing language techniques in vocabulary development. Paper presented at the annual meeting of The Eastern Regional Conference of the International Reading Association, Baltimore, MD.
References
Aravind, B. R., & Rajasekaran, V. (2018). Advanced technological modality to explore ESL learners’ vocabulary knowledge through social strategies. Journal of Advanced Research in Dynamical and Control Systems, 10(10), 250-256.
Aravind, B. R., & Rajasekaran, V. (2019). Technological modality to influence persuasive and argumentative vocabulary for effective communication with reference to selected TED talk videos. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering, 7(5), 165-170.
Danesi M (2003). Second language teaching a view from the right side of the brain. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0187-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0187-8
Goleman, D. (1986). Mental images: New research helps clarify their role. New York Times. August 12.
Gu, Y. & Johnson, R.K. (1996) Vocabulary learning strategies and language learning outcomes. Language Learning, 46, 643-679. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1996.tb01355.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1996.tb01355.x
Hodges, R.E. (1984). Vocabulary, Eric Clearinghouse on reading and communication skills, Urbana, IL. National Institute for Education, Washington, DC. (Eric Document Reproduction Service No. ED 250 696).
Mokhtar, A. A., Rawian, R. M., Yahaya, M. F., Abdullah, A., Mansor, M., Osman, M. I., . . . Mohamed, A. R. (2010). Vocabulary Knowledge of Adult ESL Learners. English Language Teaching, 3(1). https://doi:10.5539/elt.v3n1p71 [Accessed December 10, 2018] DOI: https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v3n1p71
Nayan, S., & Krishnasamy, H. N. (2015). A Preliminary Study on Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by the Students from the Faculty of Accountancy. International Journal of Languages, Literature and Linguistics, 1(1), 10-14. https://doi:10.7763/ijlll.2015.v1.3 [Accessed February 2, 2019] DOI: https://doi.org/10.7763/IJLLL.2015.V1.3
Oxford, R. (1990). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. New York: Newbury House.
Ramos, F. D. (2015). Incidental Vocabulary Learning in Second Language Acquisition: A Literature Review. PROFILE Issues in Teachers Professional Development, 17(1), 157-166. https://doi:10.15446/profile.v17n1.43957 [Accessed April 4, 2019] DOI: https://doi.org/10.15446/profile.v17n1.43957
Sanaoui, R. (1995). Adult learners' approaches to learning vocabulary in second languages. The Modern Language Journal, 79(1), 15-28. https://doi:10.1111/j.1540-4781.1995.tb05410.x [Accessed March 30, 2019] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1995.tb05410.x
Schmitt, N. and McCarthy, M. (eds.). (1997). Vocabulary: Description, Acquisition, and Pedagogy. Cambridge University Press.
Shepherd, R. (1984). Elasticizing language techniques in vocabulary development. Paper presented at the annual meeting of The Eastern Regional Conference of the International Reading Association, Baltimore, MD.