The Relationship between Vocabulary Learning Strategies and Vocabulary of Learners of Turkish as Foreign or Second Language

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out which vocabulary learning strategies learners of Turkish in Turkey and abroad use, to compare and contrast vocabulary learning strategies used by these two group of learners, to determine whether learners’ use of vocabulary learning strategies are influenced by a set of variables including age, gender, language level, and another foreign language learnt, and to identify the relationship, if any, between vocabulary and the use of vocabulary learning strategies. This study used a relational screening model that allows drawing comparisons and correlations. The data were collected in 2017-2018 using the Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning Strategies Scale developed by Kocaman and Kizilkaya-Cumaoglu (2014) and vocabulary tests designed by the researcher considering different language levels. The sample consisted of 182 learners of Turkish in Turkey and abroad. In the analysis of the data, parametric and nonparametric tests were used together on the basis of the normality distribution of the data. The data were analyzed using the t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Tukey’s test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and correlation analysis. The analysis results showed that the mean frequency of strategy use was medium, the type and frequency of strategies used by the learners varied according to language levels, gender and the place of learning Turkish (in Turkey or abroad) had a limited and statistically insignificant effect on the use of strategies, previous learning of another foreign or second language has an effect on the use of vocabulary learning strategy, the place of learning led to a significant variation in vocabulary achievement, and there was a strong, positive and significant correlation between the use of vocabulary learning strategies and vocabulary.