Strategies for Dealing with Vocabulary Learning Problems by Thai University Students

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Published: Apr 4, 2014
Keywords:
vocabulary learning strategies vocabulary learning problems

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Rakchanok Saengpakdeejit
Faculty of Liberal Arts, Khon Kaen University, Nong Khai Campus, Nong Khai, Thailand

Abstract

Nowadays, vocabulary learning plays an important role in language teaching especially in the context where English is taught as a foreign language. This is because lexical competence is now seen as the heart of language competence and the ultimate goal of language teaching is to improve the language competence of learners. Additionally, vocabulary has been recognized as an important factor to language learning because insufficient vocabulary knowledge leads the learners encountering difficulties in language learning. Learners can significantly improve their language competence by developing their ability to use vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs). The present study primarily aimed at investigating how Thai university students deal with vocabulary problems. The participants were 63 undergraduate students studying at Khon Kaen University (2 campuses). A semi-structured interview was used as a method of data collection. After completing the stage of data collection, the interview recordings were transcribed verbatim and then translated from Thai into English for the purpose of data analysis. The translated data was then analyzed. The results show two main purposes in employing strategies for dealing with vocabulary learning problems: 1) to discover the meaning of unknown words; and 2) to retain the newly learned words in long-term memory and recall them at will.

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Volume 14, Number 1 (January - April), 2014
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Articles

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Author Biography

Rakchanok Saengpakdeejit, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Khon Kaen University, Nong Khai Campus, Nong Khai, Thailand

Rakchanok Saengpakdeejit (Ph.D.) is an assistant professor in TESOL at Khonkaen University, Nong Khai Campus, Thailand. She has been taught English courses at different institutions in Thailand for more than 10 years. Her main research interests are language learning strategies, reading strategies, and vocabulary learning strategies.

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