The relationship between grammatical knowledge and the ability to guess word meaning: The case of Iranian EFL learners with upper intermediate level of proficiency

Abstract

The present study provided some empirical data to examine the contribution of grammatical knowledge to getting the meaning of unknown words. The researcher's aim was to see if grammatical knowledge played any significant role in word guessing. For this purpose, thirty participants took part in this study. To evaluate their knowledge of grammar a sixty- item test of Nelson was given to them. Then a forty-five item test on vocabulary was administered to see how grammar knowledge can affect their ability in guessing. The findings indicated that grammar knowledge was a key factor in deciphering the meanings of unknown words. It was also shown that the more comprehensive the grammar knowledge was, the higher the learners' proficiency level in guessing words would be. Therefore, instruction of grammatical structures in L2 contexts is recommended. © 2012 ACADEMY PUBLISHER Manufactured in Finland.