Vocabulary cards as a strategy for vocabulary acquisition of English as a second language: The learners' perspectives.

摘要

The use of vocabulary cards has been advocated by various authors (Gairns and Redman, 1986; McCarthy, 1990; Schmitt and Schmitt, 1995; Hopkins and Bean, 1997) as a strategy to enhance vocabulary acquisition in both first language and second language acquisition. However, there has not been much focus on the students' perspectives of this strategy. The present study examines the learners' perspectives of the use of vocabulary cards as a vocabulary learning strategy with special emphasis given to the use of drawing as a strategy. Data were collected via a questionnaire, in-class observation and interviews with both learners and instructors. Results showed that learners recognized vocabulary cards as an effective strategy due to the variety of information included; however, they also had a few reservations concerning time. Regarding the drawing, learners were divided between those who considered the strategy lengthy and not completely effective and those who regarded it as relevant.