The Strategies of English Vocabulary Learning.doc

学习英语单词的策略The Strategies of English Vocabulary LearningCONTENTSAbstract1Key words1I Introduction1II The Purpose of This Study2III The Present Situation of This Topic Home and Abroad23.1The Definition of the “Strategy”23.2 The Main Researches Aboard33.3 The Development of This Topic in China4IV The Methods of the Research and the Findings54.1 The Methods54.2 An analysis of the questionnaire and the interview6V The Key Problems and Resolutions of the Study85.1 The Main Problems85.2 The Resolutions 95.2.1 Changing the Learning Habit95.2.2 Finding Out the Remembering Rules105.2.3 The Using of Affixes11VI Conclusion 12References12Appendix114摘要：在整个英语学习中，英语单词的学习受到越来越多的人的重视。本篇文章的目标就是要为英语学习者提供一些关于英语单词学习方面的建议。通过总结国内外的研究成果和近百份的问卷调查，我们可以得出：策略的应用在单词的学习中有着至关重要的地位。我们的目标就是要通过调查，找出哪些策略是最常用的，哪些策略是最有用的。在学习单词的策略应用上，给出一些有用的建议。关键词：单词学习 学习策略 学习习惯 记忆规律 构词法 Abstract: As we considered the whole process of English learning, we can easily get that: vocabulary learning is the most important part in the English learning. The aim of this paper is to find out which strategy is the most frequently used in China and which are more helpful ones for second language learners. Though reviewing the major findings from researches done on EFL learners vocabulary learning strategies in Chinese-speaking contexts and comparing them with those from the West, we can know clearly that the using of learning strategies in vocabulary acquisition is very important for a second language learner. Finally, the paper will also draw some suggestions and implications for EFL learning and teaching in China.Key words: vocabulary learning； learning strategies； learning habit； remembering rules； word formationI. Introduction Nowadays, English has become a very popular language. However, for our second language learners, English learning is a very hard thing, especially vocabulary learning. It always takes a lot of time and energy; moreover, the process of learning vocabulary is so boring. But we cant give it up. As we all know, learning vocabulary is one of the key elements in learning a language. In fact, vocabulary has been described as the key element (Wilkins 1972: 111) since lexis is more useful than grammar at low levels for communicating meaning. The basic problem with learning vocabulary is that there is so much of it; it is very easy to become overwhelmed. This is true for the teacher as well as the student.In the last two decades or so, based on some of the characteristics of the good language learners, a lot of researches have been done on language learning strategies and all kinds of factors affecting the choice and using of learning strategies, in the world of ESL learning (Rubin 1975; Stern 1975;Oxford 1989;Oxford 1990; Porte 1988;Lawson and Hogben 1996; Rees-Miller 1993; OMalley and Chamot 1991; Oxford and Scarcella 1994; White 1995). The study of language learning strategies still attracts great attention from current researchers, mostly hoping that these strategies have a great effect upon language learning outcomes and that they can be trained in some way (Skehan 1989). One phenomenon that has been noticed by some teacher researchers (Huang and Van-Naerssen 1987; Gu and Johnson 1996; Wen and Johnson 1997; Kouraogo 1993) is that the majority of the students in second language learning use inappropriate vocabulary-learning strategies. To find out a suitable learning strategy becomes a vital important thing for all our second language learners. Thus, this paper is to find out which strategy is the most frequently used in the vocabulary learning in China and which are more helpful ones for second language learners. I hope this paper will give some useful suggestions on the English vocabulary learning for second language learners. II. The Purpose of This StudyThe purpose of this study is to explore which vocabulary learning strategy is the most frequently used and which one is the most helpful for the second language learners. Besides these, another purpose of this study is to find out: whether the strategies the second language learners used are also the most helpful ones in the English vocabulary learning and to give some suggestions on how to learn the English vocabulary.III. The Present Situation of This Topic Home and Aboard 3.1The Definition of the “Strategy”The term “strategy” had been defined as “ the art of planning movements of armies or forces in war”, “a particular plan for winning success in a particular activity, as in a war, a game, a competition, or for personal advantage” and “skillful planning generally” (Longman Dictionary 1978). However, in language learning, this term has been used differently. A general definition for the term “strategy” in linguistics can be “a mental or behavioral activity related to some specific stage in the overall process of language acquisition or language use.” (Ellis 1994) So, we may also generally consider the “strategy” as “the tools for the improving the English language ability”. (Oxford 1992/1993) Therefore, vocabulary-learning strategy can be defined as “specific approaches, methods, behaviors, steps or techniques that students (often intentionally) use to improve their progress in learning the English vocabulary.3.2 The Main Researches AboardDuring the past 2 decades, a gradual significant change has taken place in education: that is less emphasis on teachers and taking great stress on learners and learning. This change has a great reflection. As a result, these days more and more educators pay their attention to this new trend in teaching: the students-centered teaching method. The teacher-centered mode is thought to be not appropriate for learners. Therefore, more and more researches have been done on the English vocabulary learning, and a large number of research findings have been explored. (Hell&Mohn 1997; Lawson&Hogben 1996; Sanaoui 1995; Schmitt 1997)With the increasing interest in language learners and their learning strategies over the past decades, the growing attention has been paid to the importance of second language lexical knowledge. Therefore, this has led to a number of recent studies on second language vocabulary learning strategies overseas.Most of the early studies of language learning strategies focused on the general approach and specific actions or techniques that the “good” language learner used to improve his progress in developing second language skills. (Rubin 1975 and 1981; Stern 1975)Other studies put their key point on the interactions between the learning strategies and various learner characteristics. (For example, language aptitude, personality traits, learning style, cognitive style, attitudes and motivations) of groups of both good and poor language learners (Hosenfeld 1976; Naimon et al 1978; Omalley and Chamot 1990)Much of the early work on strategies (Rubin 1975; Stern 1975; Naiman et al 1978) was focused on isolating and listing the learning strategies, which was used by successful language learners. According to the classroom observation and informal discussions with good language learners and second language teachers and what she had observed of herself as a language learner, Rubin (1975) suggested that the good language learners:1). Guessed willingly and accurately2). Was eager to communicate and to learn from communication3). Took risks and views errors as a useful tool for learning4). Focused on both form and meaning;5). Seized every opportunity to practice 6). Monitored his own speech and that of otherIn addition, Stern (1975) noticed that the good language learners benefited from an awareness of his own learning style and his preferred learning strategies. At the same time, they also took responsibility for their own learning and often tried to think in the target language learning.Later, research tried to systemize the strategies Schmitt claimed that vocabulary-learning strategies included five parts: determination strategy, social strategy, memory strategy, cognitive strategy and metacognitive strategy.3.3 The Development of This Topic in ChinaIn the EFL context in China, there have also been several recent studies on vocabulary learning strategies (Dong 2001; Gu&Johnson 1996; Lu 2000; Wu 2001; Zhang 2001)Most of the studies, focused only on no more than a limited number of strategies. Gu and Johnson (1996) and Liu and Yang (2001) may be two exceptions. They all had a large sample in the survey and a questionnaire was used, which consisted of 91 strategies. But they only collected data on students strategy using and beliefs about vocabulary learning, not on their perceptions of strategy helpfulness.Another research, which was developed by 2 professors, Yang Jian, of College of Education, Seattle University, Liu Bing, of Beijing Foreign Studies University, explored the vocabulary learning strategies of Chinese EFL students. The research was done with a questionnaire that consists of 17 discovery strategies and 35 consolidation strategies. The students were asked to indicate if they had used each strategy and thought it was helpful. In addition, 23 of the students were interviewed. They named two least helpful strategies and gave the reason for their selection.After studying the information of the questionnaire, Yang Jian and Liu Bing got four findings: The major finding from this study is that instead of using only strategies that involved mechanical means and repetition, the Chinese students also used many deeper strategies. Another finding is that social strategies, those that require interactions between students, were among the less used or even the least used ones. Third, while these Chinese FEL students were not satisfied with many of the strategies they most frequently used, they had not used or even had no knowledge of many strategies they consider helpful. Finally, the results, especially the interview data, point to the connection between proffered learning strategies and social-cultured upbringing. (Yang Jian & Liu Bing 2001) Thus, from the finds above, we may conclude that a large number of students dont know which strategy is appropriate for himself.IV. The Methods of the Research and the Findings4.1 The Methods1) QuestionnaireBased on the questionnaire of Yang Jian and Liu Bing (2004) and taken our students learning level into consideration, a new questionnaire was made, which consisted of 20 selections about English vocabulary learning. Of those selections, both discovery strategies and consolidation strategies are included. A total of 80 middle school students took part in this study, aged from 12 to 15 years old. They all came from No.152 middle school in ShiHezi city where I worked for two months as a practice teacher. Although they are not in the same grade, they are all in the same team named “like English”, which would have a meeting once a week. When I was in that school, I was one of the leaders of this team.The study was hold in the meeting time, and the students were asked to indicate if they had used each strategy, if they thought it was helpful, and whether they had used it or not. In addition, within each of the two strategy types, they had to choose five most helpful strategies and rate them by assigning a number to each. 2) InterviewImmediately after the students had finished the questionnaire, 20 of them were interviewed. The students were selected randomly. They were asked to tell why they selected that strategy and whether they think the frequently used strategies are helpful or not.3) Interacting with Second Language TeachersWhen worked in No.152 middle school, I often communicated with other teachers. Through our talking, I got some useful ideas about English vocabulary learning. 4) The Experience of My Own As a college student in China, I have learned English for about ten years. When I was a middle school student, I found that English vocabulary learning was extremely difficult. How to remember vocabulary effectively became a key point in the English learning.In Nov 2005, I had worked in a middle school for two months. When I was in that school, I collected a lot of useful information.4.2 An analysis of the questionnaire and the interview The questionnaire and the interview have covered the most frequently used vocabulary learning strategies within Second Language Acquisition. It is hoped here that an analysis of their findings may help provide a general picture of the use of vocabulary learning strategies in China. Among the many various strategies reported used by these EFL learners in China, the following characteristics appear to be outstanding.1) Reading as a major means to the English vocabulary learningIt seems from the questionnaire and the interview that one outstanding feature of the target groups of Chinese EFL learners is that reading may be the most important way of language learning for them. After analyzing the questionnaire, we can know that 41% students learn the English vocabulary through reading. Despite the explosion in the demand for English and massive expansion (Cortazzi and Jin 1996) of English learning and teaching, EFL in China still shows the disadvantage of poor input. For second language learners, they have few chances to engage themselves in a variety of wide communicative activities and to put the target language into real communication. This is especially true for students in middle schools and colleges. For them, the most familiar activity is either in the classrooms, where the teacher (mostly Chinese-speaking rather than native) gives their English lesson, or outside the classrooms when they can find their own means to the English language learning. The most probable situations they can find and put themselves into is from books, reading materials and listening materials, but not likely from real conversations. For them, reading itself is one means of putting the language into using. It is a combination of effortful study, deliberate use, elaboration and analysis of the target language (Wen and Johnson, 1997). Thus, the Chinese EFL learners frequently dwell on those techniques and strategies that promote effectively reading.New vocabulary reading and listening seems to be the general behavior the top groups of EFL learners in China are likely to adopt. In prescribed reading, students are generally required to