Correlation between Students’ Vocabulary Size and Their Reading Comprehension (A Case Study of Medical College at Jazan University, KSA)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between students’ vocabulary size and their reading comprehension. The students were from first year Medical College Jazan University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The samples selected were (50) instructors at Jazan University from different colleges and nationalities, also (150) students who were enrolled in different departments at the Medical College female section, such as Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing. In order to carry out the study the researcher adopted the descriptive analytical method. Two instruments were used including teachers’ questionnaire and students’ achievement tests. For analyzing data the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program was used. The results of the study revealed that EFL students’ awareness of learning English vocabulary was weak. In addition to that the size of vocabulary appeared to affect the student’s reading comprehension ability. Moreover the use of English language as a medium of instruction appeared to affect the students’ learning of vocabulary. Based on the results the researcher recommended that EFL students’ should be aware of the importance of learning English vocabulary and develop it by using different learning strategies and techniques. Additionally, students should increase the size of English vocabulary to master their reading comprehension ability as well as all English language skills, since English language has become the language of instruction in English classes. Finally, mastering vocabulary can enhance students’ entire understanding.