LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 13:4 April 2013
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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A Good Way for Teaching Vocabulary

Fahimeh Mirkamali, M.A. Student in TEFL
Science and Research University, Arak

Mojtaba Maghsoudi, Ph.D. in TEFL
Farhangian University of Arak

Fatemeh Azizmohammadi, Ph.D. in English Literature
Islamic Azad University of Arak

Abstract

The present research was intended to investigate the effectiveness of foreign language vocabulary acquisition through pictures and short stories. The subjects were divided into four groups as follows:

a) 15 males in age range of 8-10
b) 15 females in age range of 8-10
c) 15 males in age range of 20-30
d) 15 females in age range of 20-30.

All the participants came from the same linguistic background. In all the groups vocabulary items were presented through pictures and short stories. The treatment of the study took five sessions. The researcher used two similar tests as pretest and posttest. Each of them consisted of 40 vocabularies. After the treatment, the posttest was administered. Then the statistical technique of two-way ANOVA was utilized to analyze the collected data. The results revealed that:

1. Both pictures and short stories are useful in teaching vocabulary items.
2. Vocabulary acquisition is more facilitated through the use of pictures than short stories.

Key words: vocabulary, picture, short story

1. Introduction

Although vocabulary has been the subject of many studies, few researchers have revealed the effective techniques of vocabulary teaching. In this paper, the researchers aimed to do that. Different techniques are used by teachers, such as teaching the word through lists, translation, context, realia and so on. Vocabulary is an inseparable part of any language learning process. It would be impossible to learn a language without vocabulary. “If language structures make up the skeleton of language, then it is vocabulary that provides the vital organs and the flesh” (Harmer 1993.153). We should keep in our mind, as Ur (1996) stated, one item of vocabulary can consist of more than a single word, e.g. ‘mother-in-law’ consist of three words and still expresses one idea (p.60). Poor vocabulary knowledge of Iranian EFL students is a matter of serious concern among those in and around education. Therefore, this study presents short stories and pictures methods in order to find one of the most effective techniques of vocabulary teaching. The best way of teaching can be helpful for teachers, because by using it students and adults learn vocabulary items better.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Fahimeh Mirkamali, M.A. Student in TEFL
Science and Research University, Arak

Mojtaba Maghsoudi, Ph.D. in TEFL
Farhangian University of Arak
maghsudim@yahoo.com

Fatemeh Azizmohammadi, Ph.D. in English Literature
Islamic Azad University of Arak
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