Awareness of vocabulary learning strategies among EFL students in Khon Kaen University

Abstract

In recent decades, vocabulary learning strategies have received increasing attention among language educators as they are found to facilitate foreign language learning. Limited vocabulary knowledge can be a crucial problem which leads the learners to encounter difficulties in language learning. In this study, types of vocabulary learning strategies used by Thai EFL students were examined. In order to identify the aforementioned group of students in terms of vocabulary learning strategy use, a semi-structured interview was used as a method of data collection. The participants were 63 undergraduate students studying at Khon Kaen University (2 campuses). Results of the study reveal that the students display awareness of vocabulary learning strategies. Two main types of vocabulary learning strategies were found: 1) strategies for discovering the meaning of unknown words; and 2) strategies for retaining the newly learned words in long-term memory and recalling them at will. © 2014 ACADEMY PUBLISHER Manufactured in Finland.