Muthita Chinpakdee.. English vocabulary knowledge and vocabulary learning strategies of Thai undergraduate students in a science program. Master's Degree(Language and Culture for Communication and Development). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2014.
English vocabulary knowledge and vocabulary learning strategies of Thai undergraduate students in a science program
Abstract:
Considering the importance of vocabulary knowledge and the significant contributions of vocabulary learning strategy to vocabulary acquisition, the purposes of the present study are 1) to discover the average size of general and academic English vocabulary knowledge of Thai science undergraduate students, and 2) to explore vocabulary learning strategies employed by Thai science undergraduate students. The participants of this study included 165 undergraduate students studying in a science program at a provincial campus of a leading research-based university in Thailand. The research findings were obtained from the Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT) by Schmitt et al, (2001), questionnaires based on Schmitts (1997) taxonomy of vocabulary learning strategies, and focus group interviews. Statistical analysis revealed that the participants vocabulary size is below 2,000 words. The questionnaires and the interviews revealed that the most frequently employed vocabulary learning strategy was the determination strategy. Social strategies, memory strategies, cognitive strategies, and metacognitive strategies were employed moderately. Cognitive strategies were the least employed strategy group. In conclusion, the students vocabulary size and vocabulary learning strategies indicate that the importance of vocabulary knowledge and vocabulary learning strategy as well as the benefits of employing vocabulary strategies should be emphasized. In order to encourage the students to be independent and autonomous learners, pedagogical implications are proposed in an effort to make vocabulary learning strategy instruction potentially worthwhile.
Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center