VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST- GRADUATE STUDIES ---------------*******-------------- PHẠM THỤC ANH AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES BY FIRST YEAR NON-ENGLISH MAJOR STUDENTS AT TÂN TRÀO UNIVERSITY (NGHIIÊN CỨU THĂM DÒ CHIẾN LƯỢC HỌC TỪ VỰNG CỦA SINH VIÊN KHÔNG CHUYÊN TIẾNG ANH NĂM THỨ NHẤT TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC TÂN TRÀO ) M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 6014.0111 HANOI, 2014 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST- GRADUATE STUDIES ---------------*******-------------- PHẠM THỤC ANH AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON VOCABULARY STRATEGIES BY FIRST YEAR NON-ENGLISH MAJOR STUDENTS AT TÂN TRÀO UNIVERSITY (NGHIIÊN CỨU THĂM DÒ CHIẾN LƯỢC HỌC TỪ VỰNG CỦA SINH VIÊN KHÔNG CHUYÊN TIẾNG ANH NĂM THỨ NHẤT TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC TÂN TRÀO ) M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 6014.0111 Supervisor: Lê Văn Canh, Ph.D HANOI, 2014 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com DECLARATION I, Pạm Thục Anh, hereby certify that the thesis entitled “An exploratory study on vocabulary strategies by first year non-English major at Tân Trào University” is submitted for the partial fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Arts at the Faculty of Post Graduate Studies - University of Languages and International Studies- Vietnam National University, Hanoi. I also declare that this thesis is my own work and effort and that it has not been submitted anywhere for any award where all other sources of information have been used, they have been acknowledged.
Ha Noi, 2014 Signature Phạm Thục Anh i LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To fulfill this minor thesis, I have been indebted to many people, so I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of them for their valuable contributions. First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Ph.D Le Van Canh who supervised, advised and supported me throughout the realization of this thesis. Without her endless assistance, precious advice and detailed comments my work would not have been completed. Furthermore, I want to owe special thanks to all the lecturers at the Faculty of Post Graduate Studies- University of Languages and International Studies - Vietnam National University, Hanoi for their useful and interesting lectures, which have inspired me to go on this paper.
In particular, I send my thanks to my husband who supported and encouraged me while the work was in progress. Last but not least, my heartfelt thanks go to my family, my friends and my colleagues for their helpful support and continuous encouragements. ii LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com ABSTRACT This paper reports on vocabulary learning strategies by first year non-English major students (N=219) at Tân Trào University. The purpose of the study is to explore (1) the most commonly-used vocabulary learning strategies that the first year non-English major students at Tân Trào University were using to learn English vocabulary, (2) reasons for their preferences and (3) the effectiveness of those strategies to their vocabulary learning which is self-evaluated by the students.
A vocabulary learning questionnaire and interview were used for data collection. The study points out that (1) learners only limite to some strategies, (2) there is a strong influence of teaching method and past learning experiences on learners‟ choice of vocabulary learning strategies, and the practice of these limited vocabulary learning strategies helps learners to retain sound, spelling and equivalent meaning of a word, and (3) learners realize the benefits of those strategies on retaining sound, spelling and equivalent meaning of a word and help them concentrate on lessons. iii LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com LISTS OF TABLES Page Table 1: Vocabulary learning strategies in the questionnaire 18 Table 2:Overall mean score of vocabulary learning strategies used by the 26 students Table 3: Reasons for preferred vocabulary learning strategies 28 LISTS OF FIGURES Page Figure 1: Students‟ use of DET strategies in vocabulary learning 21 Figure 2: Students‟ use of SOC strategies in vocabulary learning 22 Figure 3 : Students‟ use of MEM strategies in vocabulary learning 23 Figure 4 : Students‟ use of COG strategies in vocabulary learning 24 Figure 5: Students‟ use of DET strategies in vocabulary learning 25 iv LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION. iii LISTS OF TABLES .iv LISTS OF FIGURES .iv TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Rationale of the study. Aims of the study. Objectives of the study. Scope of the study.
Method of the study. Design of the study.4 CHAPTER 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND .2 An overview of learning strategies research .3 Language learning strategies (LLS) .1 The definition of language learning strategies .4 Vocabulary and vocabulary learning strategies .1 Aspects of knowing a word .2 Factors affecting learners in learning English vocabulary .3 Vocabulary learning strategies .1 The context of the study. 17 v LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.6 Data analysis procedures .17 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION .1 Students‟ self-reported use of Determination strategies (DET) .2 Students‟ self-reported use of social strategies (SOC) .3 Students‟ self-reported use of Memory strategies (MEM).1 Reflection on the reasons for preferred vocabulary learning strategies .1 The most commonly-used strategies .2 The reasons for the preferred strategies .3 The effectiveness of those commonly-used strategies on vocabulary learning. Summary of major findings.
I vi LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com PART A: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale of the study Learning a second or foreign language (L2/FL) is arguably one of the most cognitively challenging undertakings most people will go through in a lifetime, and many argue that learning the vocabulary of an L2 is perhaps the most challenging aspect of becoming proficient in the target language (Meara, 1995; Milton, 2009; Nation, 2001; Schmitt, 2000). Some characteristics that distinguish vocabulary learning from other language skills include the fact that - vocabulary learning is incremental, potentially limitless, and heavily constrained by the learner‟s experience (Swain & Carroll, 1987, p. One area of L2 vocabulary acquisition research that has been gaining attention in recent years to help explain the difficulties some L2 learners encounter when learning vocabulary is the focus on learning strategies- vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) in particular.
Scholars‟ interest in L2 VLS, Schmit (2000) argues, stems from a movement to get away from a predominant teacher-oriented pedagogical philosophy to a more learner-centered ideology that includes an interest in how learners themselves can manage their own language learning. Schmitt believes that it may be easier to apply learning strategies to vocabulary learning due to the relatively discrete nature of vocabulary learning as compared to more integrated language skills such as reading, writing, speaking, listening, and grammar. Acquiring a second language involves different areas such as motivation, learners‟ needs, learning environment, learning strategies and language awareness. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore second language learning strategies.
In any event, learning strategies are defined by Chamot and Kupper (1989) as “techniques which students use to comprehend, store, and remember information and skills” (p. Vocabulary strategies are one part of language learning strategies which in turn are part of general learning strategies (Nation, 2001). Language learning strategies encourage greater overall self-direction for learners. Self-directed learners are independent learners who are capable of assuming responsibility for their own learning and gradually gaining confidence, involvement and proficiency (Oxford, 1990).
So is the case with vocabulary learning strategies. Thus, students need training in vocabulary strategies they need most. Research has shown that many learners do use more strategies to learn vocabulary especially when compared to such integrated 1 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com tasks such as listening and speaking. However, they are mostly inclined to basic vocabulary learning strategies (Schmitt, 1997).
This in turn makes strategy instruction an essential part of any foreign or second language program. Learning strategies are the tools that learners use for active, self-directed language learning, and research shows that the conscious, orchestrated and tailored use of such strategies is strongly associated with language achievement and proficiency (O‟Malley & Chamot, 1990). Research on L2 learning strategies and vocabulary acquisition over the past four decades has greatly advanced our knowledge and understanding of L2 vocabulary acquisition. However, most of the L2 VLS studies conducted to date have focused on specific learning strategies under experimental conditions such as the keyword method, dictionary use and inferencing.
As a result, there is lack of research on learner-selected VLS that provides deep understanding and reasonable explanation of vocabulary learning process. This study will help fill this gap by focusing on this area. In addition, little research has been done on the nature of VLS FL students resort to at different stages of language development and the effectiveness of these types of strategies have on improving vocabulary and their relationship to language proficiency. I believe that it is necessary to inquire into current situation of students‟ use of vocabulary learning strategies in this college.
Therefore, the researcher‟s ambition in this paper is to gain an insightful understanding of the current vocabulary learning situation among the first year non-English major students. Aims of the study The aims of the study are to get closer to a comprehensive understanding of vocabulary of freshmen at Tân Trào University and to provide some implications for the learning and teaching of English as a foreign language. Objectives of the study The objectives of the study are to explore (1) the most dominant self-selected vocabulary learning strategies by first year non-English major students at Tân Trào University, (2) reasons for their preferences and (3) the effectiveness of those strategies on their vocabulary learning which is self-evaluated by the students. In order to establish a theoretical framework for the investigation in thesis, the literature on language learning strategies, vocabulary, and related issues is reviewed.
Research questions The study will be conducted to answer the following questions: 2 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail. What are the most commonly-used vocabulary learning strategies by first year non-English major students at Tân Trào University? 2. Why do they use those preferred strategies? 3. How do they self-evaluate the effectiveness of those strategies to their vocabulary learning? 5.
Scope of the study The study limited itself to the investigation of commonly-used vocabulary strategies are employed by first year non-English students at Tân Trào University. It also explores factors that shape their choice of strategies and the usefulness of those self-selected strategies to their vocabulary learning. Method of the study This is a study which used a mixed-method approach including questionnaire and interview. After the data are analyzed and discussed, some conclusions will be drawn and some suggestions will be raised in the thesis.
Design of the study The thesis is divided into four chapters: Chapter 1 includes the rationale, the objective, the research questions, the scope, the method and the design of the study. Chapter 2 covers some information about history of research on learning strategies, some basic concepts related to history of research on learning strategies and vocabulary learning. In addition, learning strategies and learning strategy classification are reviewed to set up the theoretical framework for the investigation in the next chapter. In Chapter 3, the study is presented.
It includes the context of the study, the research questions, the research method and the participants. Chapter 4 presents the findings of the study discusses commonly-used vocabulary learning strategies by first year non-English major students at Tân Trào University, the reasons for their choice and students‟ evaluation of the effectiveness of those strategies on their vocabulary learning. In the last chapter - chapter 5, some major findings are presented and conclusions are withdrawn. 3 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com PART B: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1.1 Introduction In this chapter, a brief review of learning strategy research is given; some basic concepts related to history of research on learning strategies and vocabulary learning are presented.