Developing EFL Vocabulary Learning Strategies

Abstract

This study investigates how to develop vocabulary learning strategies of students at Almughtribeen University. The researcher hypothesized that, university students in Sudan encounter difficulties in learning vocabulary. In addition, they are not able to infer the meaning of unknown words from context. To measure these hypotheses and other sub hypotheses the researcher used descriptive and analytical methods. Two groups of first level students from Almughtribeen University who study management are selected. The total number of students was (70).The instruments utilized to measure the study hypotheses are of two measures. A standardized test and a questionnaire established for English teachers The data collected by these tools are computed and statistically treated as shown in chapter three. The results obtained by the data analysis and discussion reveal that students at Almughtribeen University encounter difficulties. The experimental group showed a significance advantages over the control group in the achievement test. Their mean score was (57.167). This proved that vocabulary learning strategies consolidate vocabulary knowledge. Another finding of this study is that students have low performance to infer the meaning of unknown words from context. The mean score of the control group in inference strategy was (32.67). The teachers’ questionnaire results reinforced by the results gained by the achievement test and proved all the study hypotheses correct. Therefore, the researcher enlisted the following points as they represent the important findings and causes for these errors: