From Discovery to Mastery: Malaysian Students’ Approach to Italian Vocabulary Learning Strategies

Omar Colombo, Shen Min, Piermauro Catarinella

Abstract


Proficiency in vocabulary has been identified as the most critical skill for effective communication in foreign languages. Consequently, employing Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS) is essential for students to efficiently retain and apply new vocabulary. Recognizing the pivotal role of vocabulary and VLS in foreign language acquisition, this study addresses gaps in the existing literature regarding the use of VLS among university students learning Italian as a Foreign Language (IFL) in Malaysia. The research aims to identify the most and least utilized VLS by these learners and to evaluate their awareness of the diverse strategies available. Using a modified version of Schmitt’s (1997) Vocabulary Learning Strategies Questionnaire, data were collected from 494 participants, predominantly non-advanced IFL learners. Participants rated their use of 65 individual strategies on a 5-point Likert scale, with the data analyzed through statistical methods. The findings indicate that learners were moderate users of VLS overall. Discovery strategies (Determination and Social) were the most frequently employed, followed by Consolidation strategies (Cognitive, Metacognitive, and Memory), with Consolidation-Social strategies being the least used. Popular strategies among participants included those involving technology, cross-linguistic applications, peer interaction, and rote learning. Conversely, strategies involving pictorial aids, deep cognitive processing, mnemonics, and metacognition were the least utilized. The study highlights several socio-educational factors influencing VLS use: (a) students' autonomous learning capabilities, (b) the multilingual context, (c) social-interactive teaching approaches, and (d) the need for targeted VLS training to boost students’ confidence and enhance their IFL vocabulary acquisition skills.


Keywords


Italian as a Foreign Language; Malaysia; University Students; Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS).

Full Text:

PDF

References


Almosa, A. (2024). A Look into the Effectiveness of Vocabulary Learning Strategies by Foreign Language Students in Undergraduate Classes. Migration Letters, 21(S1), 14-24. https://doi.org/10.59670/ml.v21iS1.5907

Alqarni, I. R. (2018). Saudi English Major Freshmen Students’ Vocabulary Learning Strategies: An Exploratory Study. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, 7(1), 141-145. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.7n.1p.141

Asgari, A., & Ghazali, M. (2011). The Type of Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by ESL Students in University Putra Malaysia. English Language Teaching, 4, 84-90. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230813491_The_Type_of_Vocabulary_Learning_Strategies_Used_by_ESL_Students_in_University_Putra_Malaysia

Cameron, L. (2001). Teaching languages to young learners. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Carter, R. (1987). Vocabulary and Second/Foreign Language Teaching. Language and Teaching, 20(1), 3-16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444800004225

Colombo, O., & Ghimenton, A. (2023). Students’ Perceptions of Factors Influencing Italian as a Foreign Language Learning in a Malaysian University Context. Conference Proceeding, 15th International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, May 18-19, Throne International Convention Center, PSU, Hat Yai, Thailand, pp. 28-61. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lGhwQemgKnZHxtB64xzAYrzzb8d0rI1a/view

Davies, P., & Pearse, E. (2000). Success in English teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

DeVellis, R. F. (1991). Scale Development: Theory and Applications. In: Applied Social Research Methods Series, 26. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Dinelli, R., & Clulow, V. (2002). An exploratory study of students’ learning strategies in a first year university Italian language course. In: Herrington, T. (Eds.), Quality Conversations. Research and Development in Higher Education, 25, HERDSA (pp.191-201). ISBN: 0 908557 54 X.

Folse, K. S. (2004). Myths about teaching and learning second language vocabulary: What recent research says. TESL Reporter, 37(2) 1-13. Retrieved from https://www.solidmemory.com/assets/pdf/Folse2004MythsAboutTeachingAndLearningSecondLanguageVocabulary.pdf

Gökhan Karacan, C., & Dikilitaş, K. (2020). Vocabulary Learning Strategies Of Italian-Turkish Bilingual Students: Impact Of Simultaneous And Sequential Acquisition. Sustainable Multilingualism, 17(1), 41-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/sm-2020-0013

Gu, Y. (2018). Validation of an online questionnaire of vocabulary learning strategies for ESL learners. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching (SSLLT), 8(2), 325-350. http://dx.doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.2018.8.2.7

Gu, Y. (2003). Fine brush and freehand: The vocabulary learning art of two successful Chinese EFL learners. Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Quarterly, 37(1), 73-104. https://doi.org/10.2307/3588466

Gu, Y., & Johnson, R. (1996). Vocabulary learning strategies and language learning outcomes. Language Learning, 46(4), 643-679. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1996.tb01355.x

Harun, B., & Zawawi, I. (2014). Vocabulary Learning Strategies and Arabic Vocabulary Size among Pre-University Students in Malaysia. International Education Studies, 7, 219-226. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v7n13p219

Hüseyin, Ö. (2019). Impact of note taking during reading and during listening on comprehension. Educational Research and Reviews, 14(16), 580-589. https://doi.org/10.5897/ERR2019.3812

Jafari, S., & Kafipour, R. (2013). An investigation of vocabulary learning strategies by Iranian EFL students in different proficiency levels. International Journal of Applied Linguistics & English Literature, 2(7), 23-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijalel.v.2n.6p.23

Kai-Chee, L., & Wee-Ling, K. (2019). Vocabulary Learning Strategies: The case of Mandarin Learners in Sarawak. Human Behavior, Development and Society, 20(3), 62-72. Retrieved from https://so01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/hbds/article/view/175195

Kudo, Y. (1999). L2 vocabulary learning strategies. Unpublished doctoral thesis, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Hawaii. Retrieved from https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/788d75bf-b87d-4081-8bc4-de538098a393/content

Laffey, D. (2020). Vocabulary Learning Strategies Preferred by Korean University Students. English Teaching, 75(4), 81-100. https://doi.org/10.15858/engtea.75.4.202012.81

Laufer, B., & Sim, D. (1985). Measuring and Explaining the Reading Threshold Needed for English for Academic Purposes Texts. Foreign Language Annals, 18, 405-411. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1985.tb00973.x

Lawson, M., & Hogben, D. (1996). The Vocabulary-Learning Strategies of Foreign-Language Students. Language Learning, 46, 101-135. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-1770.1996.tb00642.x

Lee, S. (2007). Vocabulary learning strategies of Korean university students: Strategy use, vocabulary size, and gender. English Teaching, 62(1), 149-169. Retrieved from http://kate.bada.cc/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/kate_62_1_7.pdf

McCarthy, M. (1990). Vocabulary. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Nation, I. S. P. (1990). Teaching and learning vocabulary. Boston: Newbury House.

Oxford, R. L. (2003). Language Learning Styles and Strategies: An Overview. GALA, 1(25). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254446824_Language_learning_styles_and_strategies_An_overview

Oxford, R. L. (1990). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. New York: Newbury House.

Oxford, R. L., & Scarcella, R. C. (1994). Second language vocabulary learning among adults: State of the art in vocabulary instruction. System, 22(2), 231-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/0346-251X(94)90059-0

Oxford, R. L., & Nyikos, M. (1989). Variables affecting choice of language learning strategies by university students. Modern Language Journal, 73(3), 291–300. https://doi.org/10.2307/327003

Oxford, R. L., Nyikos, M., & Ehrman, M. (1988). Vive la Différence? Reflections on Sex Differences in Use of Language Learning Strategies. Language Annuals, 21, 321-329. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1988.tb01076.x

Park, G. (1997). Language learning strategies and English proficiency in Korean university students. Foreign Language Annals, 30, 211-221. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1997.tb02343.x

Rabadi, R. I. (2016). Vocabulary Learning Strategies Employed by Undergraduate EFL Jordanian Students. English Language and Literature Studies, 6(1), 47-58. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ells.v6n1p47

Rivers, W. (1987). Interactive language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Rubin, J., & Thompson, I. (1994). How to Be a More Successful Language Learner. London: Heinle & Heinle.

Saengpakdeejit, R. (2014). Awareness of Vocabulary Learning Strategies among EFL Students in Khon Kaen University. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 4(6), 1101-1108. https://doi.org/10.4304/tpls.4.6.1101-1108

Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in language teaching. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Schmitt, N. (1997). Vocabulary learning strategies. In: N. Schmitt & M. McCarthy (Eds.), Vocabulary: description, acquisition, and pedagogy (pp. 199-227). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Schmitt, N., & Schmitt, D. (1995). Vocabulary notebooks: Theoretical underpinnings and practical suggestions. ELT Journal, 49, 133-243. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/49.2.133

Shamis, W. A. (2003). Language Learning Strategy Use in Palestine. TESL-EJ, 7(2), 20-33. Retrieved from https://tesl-ej.org/wordpress/issues/volume7/ej26/ej26a3/

Ta’amneh, M. A. A. A. (2021). An Analysis of Various Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by EFL University Students. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 8(3), 77-88. Retrieved from https://www.jallr.com/index.php/JALLR/article/view/1193

Tahmina, T. (2023). Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by the High-Proficiency Learners. ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 6(1), 93-101. https://doi.org/10.34050/elsjish.v6i1.26142

Wu, W. (2005). Use and Helpfulness Rankings of Vocabulary Learning Strategies Employed by EFL Learners in Taiwan. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 1(2), 07-13. https://doi.org/10.7118/JHSS.200512.0007

Vo, T., & Jaturapitakkul, N. (2016). The use of vocabulary learning strategies by Thai EFL learners studying Vietnamese as a third language. LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, 9(2), 105–121. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/LEARN/article/view/102650

Wenden, A.L. (1987). Conceptual Background and Utility. In: Wenden, A.L. & Rubin, J. (Eds.), Learner’s Strategies in Language Learning (pp. 3-13). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Wharton, G. (2000). Language learning strategy use of bilingual foreign language learners in Singapore. Language Learning, 50, 203-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/0023-8333.00117

Yee Chin, Y., Saazai Mat Saad, N., Baharun, H., Ibrahim, M., & Ain Chua, N. (2021). Mandarin Vocabulary Learning Strategies among Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) Mandarin Learners. Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences, 3(3), 163-176. Retrieved from https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ajress/article/view/15702

Zare, P. (2012). Language Learning Strategies among EFL/ESL Learners: A Review of Literature. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2, 162-169. Retrieved from

http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_2_No_5_March_2012/20.pdf


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright @ 2009 ASEAN Journal of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education