Cross-Disciplinary Investigation of EAP Students’ Vocabulary Learning Strategies in Online Platforms: The Mediating Role of Multiple Intelligence

Subject Areas : Journal of Studies in Learning and Teaching English

Farzaneh Akbari ¹ , Farahnaz Rimani Nikou ² , Hossein Sadeghoghli ³

1 - Department of English, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad university, Sarab, Iran
2 - Department of English, Islamic Azad University Salmas, Iran
3 - Department of English, Faculty of Humanities, Islamic Azad University Sarab, Iran

Received: 2021-11-01 Accepted : 2022-02-01 Published : 2022-03-01

Keywords: MI types, EAP Learners, vocabulary learning strategies, Online education,

Abstract :

This study was motivated by an interest in the process of acquiring EAP vocabulary for Iranian university students. The study identified the vocabulary learning strategies of 360 undergraduate EAP students considering the role of multiple intelligences and online education platforms using self-reported questionnaires. They were members of Telegram groups studying engineering, medical sciences, and humanities at different universities in Iran. Descriptive analysis of the VLS survey indicated that the participants frequently use strategies for making the new vocabulary part of their repertoire, followed by strategies for getting the meaning of the new word, and studying the vocabulary, respectively. Inferential analysis of the VLS data revealed that engineering students use different strategies to get the meaning of a new word to which they are exposed in the online classroom. Descriptive and inferential analysis of the participants’ MIs demonstrated the positive relationship of logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, and intrapersonal intelligence to the use of strategies for making the new vocabulary part of the repertoire only for the engineering group. The results suggest implications for EAP practitioners and learners.