The Use of Vocabulary Learning Strategies among Form 6 Students in a Malaysian Private School

Abstract

There are varieties of vocabulary learning strategies that can be implemented by all students. According to various past studies, vocabulary learning strategy is one of the learning methods that benefit pupils' learning style and method inside and outside of the classroom. The findings of past studies indicate that vocabulary learning strategies improve students' understanding in mastering a topic and this is also applied with learning vocabulary. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the vocabulary learning strategies employed by 50 Form 6 students in Malaysian private schools. This study was carried out at a suburban Chinese independent secondary school which is based in Klang, Selangor. The researchers utilized a quantitative approach by using surveys as a data collection tool. The findings of this study indicated that most of the students responded neutrally due to their limited knowledge of vocabulary learning strategies. Nonetheless, the most preferred vocabulary learning strategies were guessing and dictionary strategies whereas the least preferred strategy was using word lists which fall under rehearsal strategy. Therefore, it is hoped that the findings of this study would benefit the English teachers to identify the most preferred vocabulary learning strategy implemented by most of the students in their learning and reflects their implication on teaching strategies.