Examining the Impact of Vocabulary Strategy Training on Adult EFL Students

Yıl 2013, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2, 339 - 352, 02.06.2013

Nafiye Aktekin , Selvin Güven

Öz

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of strategy instruction in vocabulary learning. To reach the goal of the study, 70 elementary level EFL learners at the Preparatory School of Mersin University were assigned as study and control groups. At the first stage of the study, through a Vocabulary Strategy Frequency Survey (Cohen, Oxford & Chi, 2002) and Taxonomy (Schmitt, 1997), conscious and/or unconscious use of vocabulary learning strategies in both groups was investigated. The study group received instruction on vocabulary learning strategies which was embedded to the course-book through a 10-week period. For the next stage, it was aimed to raise the teachers’ awareness of vocabulary strategy learning; therefore, discussion and feedback sessions were planned. For the follow-up stage of the study, 10 of the participant students who were then second grade medical students were interviewed in order to investigate the effects of strategy training after 2 academic years. Interviewees were asked about their opinions on strategy use during this period. The findings indicated that vocabulary strategy training can help students to learn and store more vocabulary.

Anahtar Kelimeler

language learning strategies, vocabulary learning strategies, strategy training, adult EFL learners

Kelime Strateji Eğitiminin İngilizce Öğrenen Yetişkin Öğrenciler Üzerindeki Etkisinin Araştırılması

Öz

Bu çalışma kelime öğreniminde strateji kullanımının etkisini ölçmek için yapılmıştır. Bu amaçla, Mersin Üniversitesi Yabancı Diller Yüksekokulundan 70 başlangıç düzey yabancı dil öğrencisi çalışma ve kontrol grubu olarak seçilmişlerdir. İlk olarak, kelime stratejisi sıklık anketi (Cohen, Oxford & Chi, 2002) ve taksonomisi (Schmitt, 1997) ile her iki grubun bilinçli ve/veya bilinçdışı kullandıkları stratejiler araştırılmıştır. Çalışma grubu ders kitaplarına uygun olarak düzenlenmiş etkinliklerle kelime öğrenim stratejileri üzerine 10 haftalık bir eğitim almıştır. Diğer yandan çalışmada, öğretmenlerin de kelime öğrenimi stratejileri konusunda bilinçlendirilmesi hedeflenmiştir. Bu amaçla toplantılar planlanmış; bu toplantılarda fikir alışverişinde bulunulmuş, çalışmanın gidişatı ve sonuçları konusunda bilgi verilmiştir. Çalışmanın son aşaması, strateji eğitiminin uzun vadede etkisini ölçmeyi hedeflemiştir. Bu amaçla iki yıl sonra Tıp Fakültesi 2. sınıf olan 10 çalışma grubu üyesi öğrenci ile mülakat yapılmıştır. Öğrencilerin geçen süre boyunca strateji kullanımı konusundaki düşünceleri sorgulanmıştır. Çalışmanın sonuçları, kelime strateji eğitiminin öğrencilerin daha fazla kelime öğrenmesine ve akılda tutmasına katkıda bulunabileceğini göstermektedir.  

Anahtar Kelimeler

dil öğrenme stratejileri, kelime öğrenme stratejileri, strateji eğitimi, yetişkin yabancı dil öğrencileri

Kaynakça

• Balcı, Ö.,& Çakır, A. (2011). Teaching vocabulary through collocations in EFL Classes: The case of Turkey. International Journal of Research Studies in Language Learning, 1 (1), 21-32.
• Bialystok, E. (1985). The compatibility of teaching and learning strategies. Applied linguistics, 6 (3), 255-262. Brown, H. D. (2000). Principles of language teaching and learning. New York: Longman.
• Carrell, P. L., Pharis, B. G., & Liberto, J. C. (1989).Metacognitive strategy training for ESL reading. TESOL Quarterly, 23 (4), 647-678.
• Chamot, A. U. (2004). Issues in language learning strategy research and teaching. Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 1(1), 14-26.
• Chamot, A.U., Barnhardt, S., El-Dinary, P.B., & Robbins, J. (1999). The learning strategies handbook. New York: White Plains, Pearson Education.
• Chamot, A. U., & O’Malley, J. M. (1994). Language learner and learning strategies. In N.C. Ellis (Ed.), Implicit and explicit learning of languages, 371-392, London: Academic.
• Cohen, A. (2003). Strategy training for second language learners. Eric Digest. Washington: Center for Applied Linguistics.
• Cohen, A. D. (1998). Strategies in learning and using a second language. NY: Addison Wesley Longman Limited.
• Cohen, A. D., Oxford, R. L., & Chi, J. C. (2002). Language Strategy Use Survey. Minneapolis, MN: Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition, University of Minnesota.
• Cook, V. (1991). Second Language Learning and Language Teaching. London: Edward Arnold.
• Çetin, Y. &Flamand, L. (2013). Posters, self-directed learning and L2 vocabulary acquisition. ELT Journal, 67 (1), 52-61.
• Ellis, R. (1997). Understanding Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Ehrman, M.E, Leaver, B.L., & Oxford, R.L. (2003). A brief overview of individual differences in second language learning, System, 31, 313-330.
• Erten, I. H., & Williams, M. (2008). A comparative look into how to measure the effectiveness of vocabulary learning strategies: Through using percentages or correlation coefficients. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 4 (2), 56-72.
• Fan, M.Y. (2003). Frequency of use, perceived usefulness, and actual usefulness of second language vocabulary strategies: A study of Hong Kong learners. The Modern Language Journal, 87, 222-41.
• Gu, Y., & Johnson, R. K. (1996). Vocabulary learning strategies and language learning outcomes. Language Learning, 46 (4), 643-679.
• Huyen, N. T. T., & Nga, K. T. T. (2003).Learning vocabulary through games. Asian EFL Journal, 5 (4), 1-15.
• Kilickaya, F., & Krajka, J. (2010). Comparative usefulness of online and traditional vocabulary learning. TOJET, 9 (2), 55-63 .
• Khoii, R . & Sharififar, S. (2013) Memorization versus semantic mapping in L2 vocabulary acquisition. ELT Journal, 67 (2), 199-209.
• Lawson, M. J. &Hogben, D. (1996).The vocabulary learning strategies of foreign language students. Language Learning, 46 (1), 101-135.
• Lew, R., &Doroszewska, J. (2009). Electronic dictionary entries with animated pictures: Lookup preferences and word retention. International Journal of Lexicography, 22 (3), 239-257.
• Lu, M. (2008).Effectiveness of vocabulary learning via mobile phone. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 24 (6), 515-525.
• McCrostie, J. (2007). Examining learner vocabulary notebooks. ELT Journal, 61 (3), 246-255.
• McDonough, S. (2006). Learner Strategies: An interview with Steven. ELT Journal, 60 (1), 63-70.
• Mercer, S. (2005).Vocabulary strategy work for advanced learners of English, English Teaching Forum, 43 (2), 24Mizumoto, A., & Takeuchi, O. (2009).Examining the effectiveness of explicit instruction of vocabulary learning strategies with Japanese EFL university students. Language Teaching Research, 13 (4), 4254
• Morra, S., &Camba, R. (2009). Vocabulary learning in primary school children: Working memory and longterm memory components. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 104 (2), 156-178.
• Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Nyikos, M. & Fan, M. (2007). A review of research on vocabulary learning strategies. In A. Cohen & E. Macaro (Eds.), Language learner strategies: 30 years of research and practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 251-273.
• O’Malley, C.,& Chamot, A.U. (1990). Learning strategies in second language acquisition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Oxford, R. L. (1990). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. New York: Newbury House Publishers.
• Oxford, R., Crookall, D., Cohen, A., Lavine, R., Nyikos, M., & Sutter, W. (1990). Strategy training for language learners: Six situational case studies and a training model. Foreign Language Annals, 23(3), 197-2
• Rasekh, Z. E.,&Ranjbary, R. (2003). Metacognitive strategy training for vocabulary learning. Tesl-Ej, 7 (2), 1
• Read, J. (2000). Assessing vocabulary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Richards, J. C. & Rogers, T. S. (2001. Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Rubin, J., Chamot, A. U., Harris, V., and Anderson, N. J. (2007).Intervening in the use of strategies. In Cohen and Macaro (Eds.), Language learner strategies: 30 years of research and practice, 141-160. Oxford: Oxford University Press,.
• Schmitt, N. (1997). Vocabulary learning strategies. In N. Schmitt and M. McCarthy (Eds.) Vocabulary: Description, acquisition and pedagogy, 199-227. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Wenden, A., & Rubin, J., Eds. (1987). Learner strategies in language learning. Cambridge: Prentice Hall International.
• Wong, M. S. L. (2005). Language learning strategies and language self-efficacy investigating the relationship in Malaysia. RELC Journal, 36 (3), 245-269.
• Yip, F. W., & Kwan, A. C. (2006). Online vocabulary games as a tool for teaching and learning English vocabulary. Educational Media International,43 (3), 233-249.
• Zhang, B., & Li, C. (2011). Classification of L2 vocabulary learning strategies: Evidence from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. RELC Journal,42 (2), 141-154.
• Zimmerman, C. B. (1997). Historical trends in second language vocabulary instruction. In J. Coady, & T. Huckin (Eds.), Second language vocabulary acquisition: A rational for pedagogy, 5-19. Cambridge: Cambridge University.