Indonesian JELT
Vol 4, No 1 (2008): Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching Vol. 4 no. 1 May 2008

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND THE USE OF VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES: A CASE STUDY OF CHINESE LEARNERS

Wang Dakun (Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore)
Simon Gieve (University of Leicester, U. K.)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 May 2008

Abstract

This paper reports a survey study of how Chinese students use strategies when learning second language vocabulary. The focus of the study is on the effect of learning environments (EFL vs. ESL) on the use of vocabulary learning strategies. The subjects are Chinese secondary school students learning English in China (EFL context) and in Singapore (ESL context).The questionnaire used in the survey was a modified version of Gu and Johnson (1996). 450 secondary school students, aged from 16 to 19, from two secondary schools in Harbin, China, and one boarding school in Singapore participated in the survey. The profile of the students’ learning beliefs, sources and strategies was examined in relation to their learning environments. The t-test results showed that learning environment was significant factors in affecting vocabulary learning beliefs, sources and strategy use. The findings suggest that language environments can influence individuals’ vocabulary learning profile. Thus, the combined effects of the teaching emphasis and the amount of exposure to the target language in and out of the classroom should be considered closely in order to understand the strategy choice of Chinese EFL and ESL learners. Key words:  Vocabulary learning strategies; Context, environment; EFL; ESL

Copyrights © 2008






Journal Info

Abbrev

JELT

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching (IJELT) (pISSN: 0216-1281) is a peer-reviewed journal in which submitted articles will go through a blind review process. IJELT is published twice a year in May and in October every ...