Alongkorn Achawabool. English lexical knowledge and vocabulary learning strategies : a case study of pre-service English teachers in Thailand. Master's Degree(Language and Culture for Communication and Development). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2019.
English lexical knowledge and vocabulary learning strategies : a case study of pre-service English teachers in Thailand
Abstract:
Lexical knowledge greatly contributes to English language learners' proficiency and English teachers are the key people in developing students' vocabulary skill. Two main objectives of this study then are 1) to explore the preservice English teachers' English vocabulary knowledge, and 2) to identify the vocabulary learning strategies they used. 101 university students of English language teaching from a distinguished institution producing English school teachers in Thailand were selected by purposive sampling technique. The vocabulary level test version 2 by Schmitt et al. (2001) and Schmitt's (1997) vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) were adapted for use as the research tools together with the focus group interview. It is revealed that the participants' average score of vocabulary knowledge was below 2,000 words. All five strategy groups were "sometimes" used. Metacognitive strategies were the most frequently employed followed by determination, cognitive, memory, and social strategies. In the interviews, the participants disclosed that they preferred discovering word meaning by themselves and exposing themselves to English through several kinds of media. Moreover, they were quite aware of the significance of self-evaluation in lexical knowledge development. The findings also confirm the importance of lifelong-learning for continuously developing the skills the language teachers and learners require in the 21st century and beyond