A survey of beliefs and vocabulary learning strategies adopted by EFL learners at Shaikh Zayed University

Abstract

This study explored the “Beliefs about Vocabulary Learning and Vocabulary Learning Strategies” among Afghan EFL Learners at Shaikh Zayed University, Afghanistan. The aim of the research was to find out the most and least strategies adopted by the learners. A questionnaire developed by Gu (2018), see Appendix, which contains four components: beliefs about vocabulary learning, metacognitive regulation of vocabulary learning, cognitive strategies of vocabulary learning, and affective strategies of vocabulary learning—was administered to 177 undergraduate students (155 males and 22 females). The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 20). The results of the study revealed that learners: (1) preferred learning words through use (contextual learning) rather than memorization; (2) had the ability to identify, select, and understand essential words; (3) preferred more readings in addition to feedback they received; (4) mostly relied on a dictionary, guessing, repetition, and auditory encoding in learning vocabulary and (5) were capable of managing and controlling their emotions, both external and internal and positive and negative, in learning vocabulary.