A Comparative Research On Vocabulary Learning Strategies: Effects Of Context-inferring And Dictionary-consulting Strategies On Vocabulary Retention In EFL Context

The study (1) investigated the students' use of two vocabulary learning strategies: guessing strategies and dictionary use strategies; (2) explored which learning strategy might lead to higher retention of vocabulary, context-inferring strategy or dictionary-consulting strategy; and (3) examined the effects of training in guessing strategies and dictionary use strategies.Subjects of the study were 36 second-year Chinese students majoring in Business English from Beijing Vocational & Technical Institute of Industry, whose ages were between 16 and 18 years old. They were divided into two groups, who were treated in different ways. 18 of the students (6 of high-level students, 6 of intermediate-level students, 6 of low-level students) selected from Class One according to their level of performance in English study formed Group One (dictionary group), and they were trained in and tested on the dictionary-consulting strategy. The other 18 subjects selected from Class Two with the same principle made up Group Two (context group) and they were trained in and tested on the context-inferring strategy.The instruments used in the research were a pre-questionnaire, three vocabulary retention tests and a post-interview.Before the treatment phase of the study, a questionnaire was given to the students to see if they had already used these two strategies even...