Vocabulary Retention Research Articles

Impact of Processing Various Textual Genres on the Incidental Acquisition and Retention of L2 Vocabulary

Impact of Processing Various Textual Genres on the Incidental Acquisition and Retention of L2 Vocabulary

Comparison of Direct Method and Grammar Translation Method of Learning English on Students' Achievement at the University Level

By comparing the effects of using the Grammar Translation Method (GTM) and the Direct Method (DM) on students' academic progress, this study digs into the area of education. The study uses a mixed-methods design for data collection. The performance of a sample consisting of 30 pupils from an education university was assessed during a predetermined time period. Through pre- and post- assessments that gauge linguistic proficiency in terms of vocabulary retention, grammatical accuracy, and reading comprehension using quantitative data. Students shared their teaching approach opinions and experiences through interviews and surveys, collecting qualitative data. The results of this study revealed that the grammar-translation method has better performance when compared with the Direct Method. The quantitative analysis identifies each method's advantages and disadvantages in terms of language skill development. The qualitative data gave a more in-depth knowledge of how students are motivated, engaged, and feel about the two techniques.

Incidental Vocabulary Learning and Retention in Education-oriented L2 Communicative Tasks

Vocabulary learning is pivotal for language learning as it is a cross-sectional aspect related to both receptive and productive skills. L2 vocabulary learning has given way to a substantial body of research in which the role of implicit and explicit instruction has been central. Bearing in mind the importance of communicative tasks as sources for vocabulary learning, this study will explore how vocabulary presented with context and without context is retained. 39 undergraduate students were assigned to each of these conditions, and after performing a communicative task which included a warm-up activity with a set of 15 target words, they completed a word meaning test (post-test) and repeated the same test after two weeks. The data gathered was analyzed using a quantitative approach. Findings indicate that the type of vocabulary test with context-embedded words is more effective for vocabulary retention in the short term. Nevertheless, multi-word items were better identified with the no-context vocabulary test, a finding supported by previous research. The present study raises the possibility that different vocabulary strategies are used by EFL learners, and that warm-up activities may contribute to L2 vocabulary learning.

MNEMONICS AND ITS USAGE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING ENGLISH LANGUAGE

This study focuses on the development of memory retention, the most difficult and basic approach for learners. The purpose of this study was to find a way to improve memorizing retention after removing all the factors that prevent learners from dismissing data from the mind. The qualification research paper proposes several techniques and methods developed by renowned methodologists and teachers. These techniques and methods reveal mnemonics as a means of improving vocabulary retention for per-intermediate students in the learning centre which the researcher worked with. The subjects ranged in age from 14 to 16 and they are native speakers of Uzbek language. Number of learners in both groups almost the same: control group consists of 13 learners along with another group. In addition, the research paper describes the role of teachers and learners in collaborative language learning, possible obstacles to methods in their implementation, and how to overcome problems encountered. This study proposes strategies and sample activities for improving memory retention based on the experience and data collected. In addition, the qualification form shows the criteria for students taught in co-operative learning. Therefore, this paper consists of an introduction, a literature review, methods that describe the objectives of experiments and experiments, and discussions that disclose the results and results of the experiments. When reading a study, keep in mind that the improvement of remembering foreign words through mnemonics is a very broad subject and researchers have narrowed it down to make it easier for the reader to read.

A Comparative Study of Teaching L2 Vocabulary with and without Illustrations to Virtual EFL Learners

Second language learning research suggests that visual aids and illustrations have the potential to enhance proficiency and retention of vocabulary terms in a foreign language. This study builds off of this literature by studying Native English speakers learning of Polish words using images versus no images. This quantitative study compares the effectiveness of 2 learning methods within groups that studied 10 vocabulary terms in Polish: (1) participants studying with virtual flashcards with illustrations, and (2) participants studying with virtual flashcards without illustrations. After a 10-minute virtual tutorial, participants were asked to fill out a Google form that measured their vocabulary retention. They were then asked to fill out the same Google form after 5 days.
 Keywords: Audio-aided flashcards, Flashcards, L2 vocabulary learning, Pandemic, Proficiency, Retainment, Virtual learning conditions, Visual aid

The Use of Mind-Mapping Technique towards Students' English Vocabulary Retention at a Primary School

The Use of Mind-Mapping Technique towards Students' English Vocabulary Retention at a Primary School

The Presentation-Practice Route to Teach Vocabulary to Young Learners: A Casa Study at International Schools in Uzbekistan

Teaching vocabulary to young learners is an essential aspect of language acquisition that requires a specific approach or strategy to ensure that learners acquire a wide range of vocabulary. Expanding vocabulary is a critical aspect of language learning as it equips learners with the learning tools to confidently articulate their thoughts and ideas in the target language. Developing vocabulary also enables learners to grasp complex concepts and ideas. One technique that has proven effective in language classes is the presentation-practice route. In light of this, the purpose of this study is to describe the teaching techniques employed by English teachers at Genius International School in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, when using the presentation-practice route to teach English vocabulary. The study adopted a descriptive research methodology, with data collection conducted through interviews and observations of English teachers at the school. Qualitative analysis was used to analyze the data collected from the respondents. The study's findings revealed that the teachers employed several techniques to encourage learners' mastery of vocabulary, including contextualization, the use of visual aids, and the incorporation of interactive activities. These techniques were found to be effective in facilitating learners' comprehension and retention of English vocabulary.

Extensive viewing as additional input for foreign language vocabulary learning: A longitudinal study in secondary school

This study presents a teaching intervention to maximize the learning of a set of target words (TW) in learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) in a secondary school by means of intentional vocabulary learning activities and additional captioned television (TV) viewing. In the course of one academic year, two groups of grade 10 EFL learners ( N = 64) were introduced to new TWs each week through language-focused exercises. The experimental group ( n = 33) was additionally exposed to a captioned TV series where these TWs appeared. To measure lexical growth, all students took pre- and post-tests evaluating both TW form and meaning recall. Vocabulary retention was measured with an eight-month delayed post-test. Results revealed that vocabulary was mainly learned intentionally, but that additional viewing of the captioned TV series significantly contributed to greater lexical gains at different testing times. Similar vocabulary retention rates were observed for both groups. Conclusions and implications for teaching are drawn on the role of extensive video viewing for vocabulary learning in instructional settings.

A Study on the Effects of Lexical Processing Strategies in Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition While Reading

Research on vocabulary acquisition in SLA has revealed that a large proportion of vocabulary is acquired without overt intention. This paper analyzes the relevance of different lexical processing strategies for incidental vocabulary acquisition while reading involving 56 native Chinese speakers who are studying English at a local university in China. The lexical processing strategies which the participants adopted to analyze unknown words are discussed based on the cognitive processes involved, namely implicit/explicit cognitive processes and top-down/bottom-up cognitive processes. According to the introspective data collected during a think-aloud protocol as well as the results of a subsequent vocabulary retention test, we examine the acquisition effects of different strategies. The results indicate that students can learn vocabulary incidentally through implicit processing, though it has a significantly lower acquisition rate than that of the explicit processing strategies. With regard to the dichotomy of top-down and bottom-up cognitive processes, the bottom-up processing strategy demonstrates better acquisition effects than the top-down strategy. Finally, a multilevel cognitive model of factors that contribute to incidental vocabulary acquisition is developed in an attempt to provide theoretical and practical implications to L2 vocabulary teaching and learning in China.

Metaphor as a cognitive facilitator in L2 vocabulary acquisition

Vocabulary acquisition is a cognitive activity that poses a significant challenge to second language learners. Non-literal language, particularly metaphor, has long been recognized as a potent cognitive and linguistic tool for expressing and understanding abstract concepts, emotions, and experiences. However, some contend that learning non-literal language may impede L2 vocabulary acquisition. This research paper aimed to investigate the impact of metaphorical competence and metaphorical awareness on vocabulary acquisition in second language learners based on theoretical and empirical studies. It examined a few studies that demonstrated how metaphorical competence and awareness facilitate vocabulary acquisition, such as scaffolding learners’ acquisition of word meanings and improving their vocabulary retention. The implications for L2 vocabulary research were discussed for future design, and pedagogical implications were proffered for educators.

Neural machine translation in EFL classrooms: learners’ vocabulary improvement, immediate vocabulary retention and delayed vocabulary retention

Neural Machine Translation (NMT) has gained increasing popularity among EFL learners as a CALL tool to improve vocabulary, and many learners have reported its helpfulness for vocabulary learning. However, while there has been some evidence suggesting NMT’s facilitative role in improving learners’ writing on the lexical level, no study has examined whether vocabulary improvement made with the aid of NMT leads to any vocabulary retention when the tool is no longer in use. The present study employed a quasi-experimental design to examine the extent to which editing with NMT may lead to vocabulary improvement, immediate vocabulary retention and delayed vocabulary retention in the legal context and how the findings may vary by learners’ proficiency level. ANOVA results revealed that learners with higher proficiency achieved a similar level of immediate and delayed retention compared to their vocabulary improvement, while the benefits of NMT for learners with lower proficiency were significantly confined to vocabulary improvement and immediate vocabulary retention.

USING THE ‘NOTICE-THE-GAP’ PRINCIPLE IN L1 TO L2 LEARNING IN TRANSLATION-ORIENTED FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING

Nowadays, translation into a foreign language (L2) has become a widespread practice. However, this type of translation is known to be more challenging than translation into the mother tongue (L1). This suggests that translation-oriented foreign language teaching should be geared towards equipping learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for performing L2 translation. One such aspect is creating a meaningful link between L1 and L2 equivalents and ensuring better retention, recall and retrieval of L2 vocabulary in response to L1 equivalents. The aim of this study was to test whether using L1 to L2 learning in combination with the ‘notice-the-gap’ principle in teaching vocabulary to trainee translators can facilitate the achievement of this result. The participants were thirty 3rd-year full-time translation students enrolled on a 5-year translation training programme at the Linguistics University of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. The proposed approach was used in teaching vocabulary to an experimental group of students whose results before and after the treatment were compared with those of a control group using statistical tests. The results testify to the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in the performance time in L2 translation accompanied by improved accuracy of L2 use, i.e., retrieval of appropriate and adequate L2 vocabulary in response to their L1 equivalents. The findings have significant implications for translation-oriented foreign language teaching in terms of highlighting the importance of strengthening the L1 to L2 lexical link. On a practical level, the study provides specific recommendations and a learning procedure for achieving this aim.

A Case Study in Tablet-Based Augmented Reality Vocabulary Acquisition

Augmented Reality (AR) is a novel technology capable of embedding digital objects a user's experience of reality via a smartphone, tablet, or head-mounted display. AR offers interesting pedagogical applications and research possibilities in the field of SLA, particularly in the deliberate study of vocabulary. Such applications also offer implications for distance learning. This case study examined a 25-year-old Japanese language teacher in her deliberate acquisition of three sets of 15 vocabulary items selected from the first 1,000 most frequent words of Basque. A word card study method was compared with two AR vocabulary study methods. One AR study method involved the study of physical objects and their signifying Basque vocabulary items within a context-independent scene which was unknown to the participant. The second AR study method similarly involved the study of physical objects and their signifying Basque vocabulary items within a context-dependent scene which was known to the learner. In terms of vocabulary retention as measured with meaning recognition, form recognition, and form recall tests, both AR methods of study appeared to be as effective if not more so than word cards. The study of vocabulary items represented by physical objects in a contextualized environment with the use of a tablet-based AR application was beneficial in leveraging the recall of meaning and form of those items. During reflective interviews regarding the use of AR the participant indicated that she found the novel method of vocabulary study to be engaging and motivating. The findings of this study also indicate that mobile AR applications have potential pedagogical uses relevant to distance education practices.

Enhancing vocabulary learning through understanding the human memory system: Episodic memory

Vocabulary acquisition in learning languages is a crucial aspect of language learning, and effective teaching theories are essential for the retention and application of new vocabulary. However, understanding the memory system is important for educators to design and implement effective vocabulary teaching strategies that support student learning and retention. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the human memory system, including sensory, short-term, and long-term memory, with a focus on the differences between semantic and episodic memory. It explains the impact of episodic memory on vocabulary recall. In addition, it puts forward two teaching theories that enhance the utilization of episodic memories. Experiential Learning and Elaboration Theory focus on connecting vocabulary with personal experience for episodic memory and using previous knowledge to help students remember new vocabulary.

Mnemonics and Their Effect on Students’ Vocabulary Memorization and Recall: A Quantitative Study

Having a Quasi Experimental Research design, this study aimed to reveal the fact whether Mnemonic Keyword is more effective in helping students to memorize and store vocabulary in the short and long term compared to Mnemonic Loci. Twenty-nine students of class IXB (Experimental group) and 31 students of class IXA (Control group) were involved in this study. The Experiment Group was required to memorize vocabulary by using Mnemonic Keyword while the Control group was required to use Mnemonic Loci in memorizing English vocabulary. Right after the last treatment session, the participants were given a post-test to find out the ability of the participants in both groups regarding their ability to store and recall vocabulary in short-term memory. The results revealed that the Experimental group and the Control group had the same performance. Exactly one week after the first post-test, the researcher conducted a second post-test which aimed to find out the ability of the participants in both groups regarding their ability to store and recall vocabulary in long-term memory. The results revealed the fact that the Experimental group had better performance than the Control group in terms of vocabulary retention and recall in long-term memory. This research also revealed the fact that Mnemonic Keyword was more interesting and unique for students during the vocabulary memorization process so that it made them more enthusiastic in memorizing English vocabulary.

Utilizing the Picture Describing Strategy for Enhancing Speaking Skills in Teaching

This research focuses on exploring the effectiveness of the Describing Picture Strategy in teaching speaking skills to students. The study aims to enhance students' English-speaking abilities by employing visual aids such as pictures during the learning process. The qualitative research design was utilized, and data were collected through interviews and observations with an English teacher at SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Banjarmasin. The findings demonstrate that using pictures as speaking prompts can improve pronunciation, vocabulary retention, and overall language confidence. Additionally, picture-based activities engage students and create a more enjoyable learning experience. The study recommends that English teachers integrate the Describing Picture Strategy in their teaching approaches to foster active classrooms and enhance students' interest and proficiency in speaking English. However, the research acknowledges the need for further investigation to address certain limitations and refine the strategy for optimal results.

Word Game Modeling Using Character-Level N-Gram and Statistics

Word games are one of the most essential factors of vocabulary learning and matching letters to form words for children aged 5–12. These games help children to improve letter and word recognition, memory-building, and vocabulary retention skills. Since Uzbek is a low-resource language, there has not been enough research into designing word games for the Uzbek language. In this paper, we develop two models for designing the cubic-letter game, also known as the matching-letter game, in the Uzbek language, consisting of a predefined number of cubes, with a letter on each side of each six-sided cube, and word cards to form words using a combination of the cubes. More precisely, we provide the opportunity to form as many words as possible from the dataset, while minimizing the number of cubes. The proposed methods were created using a combination of a character-level n-gram model and letter position frequency in words at the level of vowels and consonants. To perform the experiments, a novel dataset, consisting of 4.5 k 3–5 letter words, was created by filtering based on child age groups for the Uzbek language, and three more datasets were generated, based on the support of experts for the Russian, English, and Slovenian languages. Experimental evaluations showed that both models achieved good results in terms of average coverage. In particular, the Vowel Priority (VL) approach obtained reasonably high coverage with 95.9% in Uzbek, 96.8% in English, and 94.2% in the Slovenian language in the case of eight cubes, based on the five-fold cross-validation method. Both models covered around 85% of five letter words in Uzbek, English, and Slovenian datasets, while this coverage was even higher (99%) in three letter words in the case of eight cubes.

Vocabulary recall and retention improvement: Working memory training using dual N-back task

Working memory (WM) plays an important role in learning since it serves as the buffer between past sensations and future behaviour, making it essential to understand not only how we encode and recall sensory information in memory but also how we plan for its upcoming use. This study examined the effect of WM training on vocabulary recall and retention of Iranian EFL learners using the dual n-back task technique. N-back requires the individual to remember an item that was presented a certain number of items previously. To this end, 50 EFL learners were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. The participants were taught 100 English words in 20 sessions. In each session, the experimental group also received a dual n-back task. The obtained data were analysed through two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and independent samples t-tests. The results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in target words’ recall and retention. Keywords: Dual n-back task, EFL learners, working memory training, vocabulary recall, vocabulary retention

THE USE OF QUIZLET TO ENHANCE L2 VOCABULARY ACQUISITION

This study aims to improve the teaching-learning process of foreign language through Quizlet – a popular digital tool for language learning. In particular, we explore the following aspects of Quizlet use among Spanish undergraduate students learning English: the effectiveness of vocabulary retention, its impact on students’ motivation and autonomous learning. The results and conclusions obtained through a questionnaire with 30 respondents point to the success of Quizlet which has contributed in a very positive way to the learning of the vocabulary seen in the course, has helped to make the course more enjoyable, fun, and attractive, thus, improving students’ motivation, and has helped students to have a more active and autonomous role in their learning. According to the survey, 90% of participants indicate a desire to use this educational tool in other courses of the degree, and 97% consider that technology-enhanced language learning is the direction that teaching should take.

The Role of Games in Enhancing EFL Students' Vocabulary Acquisition Wagdi Rashad Ali Bin-Hady

The aim of this paper review is to explore the advantages of (digital) games for developing EFL students' vocabulary acquisition. Moreover, this review discusses some of the most widely games used to enhance students' vocabulary acquisition and introduces them to EFL instructors so they can be widely used in their classroom teaching practices. The present review also explores the essential classroom procedures needed for incorporating games in the classroom teaching. It is found that games make lessons' enjoyable to students, minimize students' anxiety, help students recall vocabulary easily and naturally, and bring context to the classroom. The review also revealed that games such as The Sims, and Semantic Boggle are amongst the most widely used games for vocabulary retention. Teachers are advised to use the suitable vocabulary games for teaching vocabulary and link the games with the course content. The present paper review recommends the inclusion of games in English curriculum and classroom teachings.