A Comparative Study On The Effectiveness Of Two Vocabulary Learning Software Programs In Senior High School English Vocabulary Learning

Vocabulary is one of the most important elements in English as the second language learning. However, beginning/low-intermediated students may encounter some difficulties when learning independently. This paper will introduce two types of vocabulary software programs based on CALL on the expectation of facilitating the students’vocabulary learning. Compared with the independent learning without any assistance, vocabulary learning software programs have some noticeable merits for beginning/low-intermediated students to learn vocabulary. Some vocabulary learning strategies are widely used in vocabulary learning software programs. The two vocabulary learning software programs used in this research are called New Oriental Vocabulary Learning (NOVL) and I Like Vocabulary (ILV). The main purpose of this thesis is to find out whether both types of software programs can benefit students’ current vocabulary learning comparing with their original learning method and which software program is more suitable for learners.Literature review part suggests that there are many kinds of methods for vocabulary learning. Different from traditional learning methods, students can apply some effective strategies in their learning by learning vocabulary with software. Therefore, the author carried out a six-week experiment to check whether the scores can be higher after target students using the two kinds of vocabulary learning software programs comparing with the original learning methods, and which software is more useful for students to get high scores. The author selected two classes, one is as the experimental class and the other is as the controlled class.The experiment lasts for6weeks. During the6weeks, students in the controlled class always learn vocabulary by using original learning method, and the students in the experimental class learn vocabulary by using original learning method and each type of the two software programs separately. The tests are carried out every two weeks and the questionnaire should be finished after6weeks since the research begins. The result gets from analyzing the scores of three tests and the respondents’feedback of the questionnaire.The result of the research indicates that both types of vocabulary learning software programs can benefit students’current vocabulary learning comparing with their original learning method. The software "I Like Vocabulary" is more useful for students to improve their scores and it is preferred by more students after being evaluated.This paper consists of five chapters, chapter I introduces the importance and difficulties of vocabulary learning and two vocabulary learning software programs to be discussed and gives a general description of the structure and the aim of the paper. Chapter II gives a general description of CALL theory as well as a review of the relevant vocabulary learning theories. Chapter III mainly includes the research subjects, process, data collection and instruments. Chapter IV provides the data analysis of the research and a summary. Chapter V draws the conclusion, points out the research limitations and offers recommendations for the research.