Vocabulary Learning Strategy Preferences and Vocabulary Size of Pre-service English Teachers

Year 2015, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 15 - 33, 27.10.2015

Sabriye Şener

Abstract

The present study examined the vocabulary learning strategy preferences and vocabulary size of pre-service English teachers at a state university in Turkey. It also investigated the relationship between their strategy use and vocabulary size. To this end, 304 pre-service teachers constituted the working group of the research. In this study, a quantitative research design was employed. For data collection, an adapted version of the Vocabulary Learning Strategy Inventory and Vocabulary Levels Test were used. The most frequently used vocabulary learning strategy sub-group was found to be determination and the lowest vocabulary learning strategy sub-group was cognitive. Besides, the most significant relationship was seen between the vocabulary size and cognitive strategies. Finally, multiple comparison tests revealed a significant statistical difference between the first and fourth graders’ vocabulary size.

Keywords

Word level, vocabulary learning strategies, vocabulary size

Vocabulary Learning Strategy Preferences and Vocabulary Size of Pre-service English Teachers

Abstract

Bu çalışma Türkiye’de bir devlet üniversitesindeki hizmet öncesi İngilizce öğretmenlerinin kelime öğrenme strateji tercihlerini ve kelime boyutlarını incelemiştir. Çalışma aynı zamanda strateji kullanımı ve kelime boyutu arasındaki ilişkiyi de araştırmıştır. Bu amaçla, 304 hizmet öncesi İngilizce öğretmeni araştırmanın çalışma grubunu teşkil etmiştir. Çalışmada nicel araştırma tasarımı kullanılmıştır. Verileri toplamada uyarlanmış Kelime Öğrenme Strateji Envanteri ve Kelime Seviye Testleri kullanılmıştır. Envanterin kelime öğrenme strateji alt grubu olarak belirleme stratejilerinin en sık kullanılan ve bilişsel strateji grubunun da en az sıklıkla kullanılan strateji grubu olduğu saptanmıştır. Ayrıca, kelime öğrenme stratejileri ile kelime boyutu arasında anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur. Son olarak, çoklu karşılaştırma testleri birinci ve dördüncü sınıf öğrencilerinin kelime boyutları arasında anlamlı istatistiksel farklılıklar ortaya çıkarmıştır

Keywords

kelime seviyesi, kelime öğrenme stratejileri, kelime boyutu

References

• Aktekin, N. Ç., and Güven, S.(2013). Examining the impact of vocabulary strategy training on adult EFL students. Mersin University Journal of the Faculty of Education, Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp.339-352.
• Askar, W.A.(2013). A survey on the use of vocabulary learnıng strategıes by ELT and ELL students of Duhok University in Northern Iraq. Unpublished MA Thesis, Near East University, Graduate School of Education Sciences, Nicosia.
• Baharudin, H. and Zawawi, I. (2014). Vocabulary Learning Strategies and Arabic Vocabulary Size among Pre-University Students in Malaysia. International Education Studies, Vol. 7, No. 13, 219-226.
• Brown, D. (2002). Strategies for Success: A Practical Guide to Learning English. New York: Pearson Education.
• Cohen, A. D. (1999). Strategies in Learning and Using Second Language. Malaysia: Longman.
• Erten, İ. H. (1998). Vocabulary Learning Strategies: An Investigation into the Effect of Perceptual Learning Styles and Modality of Word Presentation on the Use of Vocabulary Learning Strategies. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation. Exeter: The University of Exeter
• Erten, İ. H. (2000). “Vocabulary Learning Strategies: An Attempt to Develop Taxonomy.” (19 – 20 Oct 2000. 4. International INGED Çukurova ELT Conference.
• Gorevannova, A.(2000). The Relationship between Students’ Perceptual Learning Style Preferences, Language Learning Strategies and English Vocabulary Size. Unpublished M.A Thesis. Ankara: Bilkent University.
• Gu, Y., and Johnson, R. K. (1996). Vocabulary learning strategies and language learning outcomes. Language Learning 46 (4), 643 – 79.
• Hatch, E. and Brown, C. (1998). Vocabulary, Semantics, and Language Education. U.S.A: Cambridge University Press.
• Hedge, T. (2001). Teaching and Learning in the Language Classroom. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press.
• King, G. (2000). Collins Word power. Glasgow: Caledonian International Book Manufacturing Ltd.
• Lewis, M. (1994). The Lexical Approach: The State of ELT and a Way Forward. London: Commercial Colour Press.
• Mackey, A., and Gas, S.M. (2005). Second language research: Methodology and design. USA: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Nation, I. S. P. (1990). Teaching and learning vocabulary. U.S.A: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.
• Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in another Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Nation, I. S. P. (2002). “Measuring Learner’s Present Level of Vocabulary Knowledge.” (Workshop paper received by personal communication).
• Oxford, R. L. (1990). Language Learning Strategies: What Every Teacher Should Know. U.S.A: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.
• Özdamar, K. (2002). Paket Programlar İleri Veri Analizi 1 SPSS- MINITAB. Eskişehir: Kaan Kitabevi.
• Read, J. (2000). Assessing Vocabulary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Richards, J. C. and Renandya, W. A. (2002). (Eds.) Methodology in Language Teaching: An Anthology of Current Practice. U.S.A: Cambridge University Press.
• Sanaovi, R. (1995). Adult learners' approaches to learning vocabulary in second languages. The Modern Language Journal. 79, (1), 15-28.
• Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in Language Teaching. U.S.A: Cambridge University Press.
• Schmitt, N., and Mccarty, M. (2001). Vocabulary: Description, Acquisition and Pedagogy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Schmitt, N., Bird, R., Tseng, A. C., and T-C Yang, T. C.(1997). Vocabulary learning strategies: Student perspectives and cultural considerations. U.S.A: Independence.
• Şener, S. (2003). The Relationship between vocabulary learning strategies and vocabulary size of the ELT Students. The Second International ELT Conference “Languages for Life”. Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 22-25 May, Çanakkale, 2003.
• Singleton, D. (1999). Exploring the second language mental lexicon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Tanyer, S. and Öztürk, Y. (2014). Pre-service English teachers’ vocabulary learning strategy use and vocabulary size: : A Cross- sectional Evaluation. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 37-45.
• Thornbury, S. (2002). How to teach vocabulary. Malaysia: Longman – Pearson Education Limited.
• Ur, P. (2002). A Course in language teaching: Practice and Theory.GB: Cambridge University Press.
• Williams, M., and Burden, R. L.(1999). Psychology for Language Teachers: A Social Constructivist Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Zimmerman, C. B. (1998). “Historical Trends in Second Language Vocabulary Instruction.” J. Coady and T. Huckin (Eds.), Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition U.S.A: Cambridge University Press.