An Investigation of Vocabulary Learning Strategies of ESP Students

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24411

Keywords:

ESP, vocabulary learning strategies, students

Abstract

English is an indispensable language, especially in the digital age. For students who are not specialized in English vocabulary, understanding effective vocabulary learning strategies becomes crucial, helps increase their chances of being hired, and improves coherence in written and spoken communication. This study investigates the vocabulary learning strategies most and least commonly employed by ESP students. The research involved 59 participants from three majors: business administration, accounting, and tourism. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires and interviews. The findings highlight students' preference for metacognitive strategies and their positive attitude toward technology as a supportive tool for vocabulary acquisition. Additionally, cognitive and memory strategies linked to learned vocabulary were occasionally utilized. The implications of this research extend to teachers, students, and curriculum designers, providing insights for developing appropriate methods to enhance ESP vocabulary learning.

Author Biographies

  • Le Hoang Son, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Le Hoang Son is a lecturer at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. His research interests include education, teaching methodologies, data mining, and computer technology applications.

  • Trinh Minh Ly, University of Cuu Long, Vietnam

    Trinh Minh Ly is a lecturer at Cuu Long University. She has been employed there for ten years. She is interested in education, ICT, and teaching English as a second language.

References

Akbari, Z. (2015). Key vocabulary learning strategies in ESP and EGP course books. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, 4(1), 1-7.

Akbari, Z. (2011). Vocabulary comprehension and learning in an ESP context: Strategy use and knowledge sources. Asian ESP Journal, 7(2), 5-27.

Akbari and M.H. Tahririan (2009). Vocabulary Learning Strategies in an ESP Context: The Case of Para/medical English in Iran. The Asian EFL Journal, 11 (1), 39-61.

Akin, A., & Seferoglu, G. (2004). Improving learners’ vocabulary through strategy training and recycling the target words. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 27, 1-10.

Al-Khresheh, M. H., & Al-Ruwaili, S. F. (2020). An Exploratory Study into Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by Saudi EFL learners. Journal of History Culture and Art Research, 9(2), 288-302. doi: https://doi.org/10.7596/taksad.v9i2.2616

Al-Khasawneh, F. M. (2012). Vocabulary learning strategies: A case of Jordan University of Science and Technology. English for Specific Purposes World, 12(34), 1-15.

Afzal, N. (2019) A study on vocabulary-learning problems encountered by BA English majors at the university level of education. Arab World English Journal, 10(3), 81-98.

Asgari, A., & Mustapha, G. B. (2011). The type of vocabulary learning strategies used by ESL students in University Putra Malaysia. English language teaching, 4(2), 84-90.

Basturkmen, H. (2010). Developing courses in English for Specific Purposes. Basingstoke: Macmillan.

Belcher, D. D. (2004). Trends in teaching English for specific purposes. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 2, 165-186.

Brunton, M. (2009). An account of ESP–with possible future directions. English for specific purposes, 3(24), 1-15.

Carver, D. (1983). Some propositions about ESP. The ESP Journal, 2, 131-137.

Chien, C. W. (2015). Analysis the Effectiveness of Three Online Vocabulary Flashcard Websites on L2 Learners' Level of Lexical Knowledge. English Language Teaching, 8(5), 111-121.

Dinh, H. M. T. (2022). Using TBLT framework in technology-mediated environments to enhance students’ vocabulary retention and interpreting skills. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(2), 201-215. doi: https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.222211

Dudley-Evans, T., & St-John, M. J. (1998). Developments in English for specific purposes: A multi-disciplinary approach. Cambridge University Press.

Edge, D., Fitchett, S., Whitney, M., & Landay, J. (2012). MemReflex: adaptive flashcards for mobile micro learning. Proceedings from:The 14th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices and Services (431-440). ACM.

Erten, Ä°. H., & Tekin, M. (2008). Effects on vocabulary acquisition of presenting new words in semantic sets versus semantically unrelated sets. System, 36(3), 407-422. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2008.02.005

Fan, M. (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(2), 222-241.

Farjami, F., & Aidinlou, N. A. (2013). Analysis of the impediments to English vocabulary learning and teaching. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 1(4-1), 1-5.

Ghalebi, R., Sadighi, F., & Bagheri, M. S. (2020). Vocabulary learning strategies: A comparative study of EFL learners. Cogent Psychology, 7(1), 1824306.

Goundar, P. R. (2019). Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLSs) Employed by Learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). English Language Teaching, 12(5), 177-189. doi: https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v12n5p177

Gu, Y., & Johnson, R. K. (1996). Vocabulary learning strategies and language learning outcomes. Language learning, 46(4), 643-679.

Gu, Y. (2003). Vocabulary learning in second language: person, task, context and strategies. Electronic Journal. TESL-EJ, 7(2), 1–26.

Gu, Y. (2012). Learning strategies: Prototypical core and dimensions of variation. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, 3, 330-356

Huong, L. P. H. (2018). A survey study on academic vocabulary learning strategies by EFL university students. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 9(5), 1009-1016. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0905.15

Hutchinson, T., & Waters, A. (1987). English for specific purposes: A learner-centred approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hyland, K. (2006). English for academic purposes: An advanced resource book. London: Routledge.

Jafari, S., & Chalak, A. (2016). The Role of WhatsApp in Teaching Vocabulary to Iranian EFL Learners at Junior High School. English Language Teaching, 9(8), 85-92.

Kose, T., & Mede, E. (2018). Investigating the use of a mobile flashcard application Rememba on the vocabulary development and motivation of EFL learners. MEXTESOL Journal, 42(4), 1-26.

Ma, X., & Yodkamlue, B. (2019). The Effects of Using a Self-Developed Mobile App on Vocabulary Learning and Retention among EFL Learners. PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand, 58, 166-205.

Mart, Ç.T. (2012). Guessing the Meanings of Words From Context: Why and How. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, 1(6), 177-181.

Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Nation, I. S. P. (2011). Research into practice: Vocabulary. Language Teaching, 44(4), 529-539.

National Assembly of Vietnam. (2005). Education law. Vietnam.

Nguyen, N. T. T. (2021). A review of the effects of media on foreign language vocabulary acquisition. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 1(1), 30-37. https://i-jte.org/index.php/journal/article/view/5.

Oxford, R. L. (1990). What every teacher should know? Language learning strategies. Boston: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.

Phillips, B. (2017). Student-produced podcasts in language learning–exploring student perceptions of podcast activities. IAFOR Journal of Education.

Robinson, P. C. (1991). ESP today: A practitioner's guide. Prentice Hall.

Rachmawati, D. L. (2018). Vocabulary learning strategies used by first year of EFL students. EnJourMe (English Journal of Merdeka): Culture, Language, and Teaching of English, 2(2), 1-6.

Schmitt, N. (1997). Vocabulary learning strategies. In N. Schmitt & M. McCarthy (Eds.), Vocabulary:Description, acquisition and pedagogy (pp. 199-227). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in language teaching. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Trinh, L. M., & Le, S. H (2021). Students’ Perceptions about using Website to Learn Vocabulary in English for Specific Classroom. International Journal of Science and Management Studies, 4(6), 89-95.

Vo, T. T. T., & Duong, T. M. (2020). Non-English majors' perceptions and use of metacognitive strategies in a Vietnamese EFL context. TNU Journal of Science and Technology, 225(12), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.34238/tnu-jst.3703

Wilkins, D. A. (1972). Linguistics and language teaching. London: Edward Arnold.

Yang, W., & Dai, W. (2011). Rote memorization of vocabulary and vocabulary development. English Language Teaching, 4(4), 61-64. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v4n4p61

Yogman, J. & Kaylani, C. T. (1996). ESP program design for mixed level students. English for Specific Purposes, 15(4), 311-324.

Downloads

Published

16-01-2024

Issue

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

Trinh, M. L. (2024). An Investigation of Vocabulary Learning Strategies of ESP Students. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 4(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24411

Similar Articles

1-10 of 121

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.