Vocabulary Learning Strategy Instruction: It's Impact on English for Specific Purpose Vocabulary Achievement and Reading Comprehension

Abstract

This study examined the effect of vocabulary learning strategy instruction on ESP vocabulary achievement and reading comprehension of students at academic level. To achieve this purpose, a language proficiency test of Nelson was administered to sixty-six of Islamic Azad University students of Dareshahr majoring in Accounting. The students' scores were between 36-40 (M= 38.15). Therefore, these two classes were randomly assigned to control group and experimental group. Both groups worked on the equivalent reading passages. The students in experimental group were also instructed in vocabulary learning strategies and the use of vocabulary learning strategies while the students in control group received conventional teaching vocabulary training without any treatment for 12 sessions. The result of the post-test showed that vocabulary learning strategy instruction had positive impact on ESP vocabulary achievement and reading comprehension of students. The findings of Strategy Inventory Language Learning and Think-aloud protocols also indicated that cognitive strategies are the most frequent strategies employed by students in experimental group. The results of the study suggested the importance of including language learning strategies into language courses and training the language learners to use strategies as frequently as possible to make language learning easier and more effective.