The Effect of Using Visual Aids, Semantic Elaboration, and Visual Aids plus Semantic Elaboration on Iranian Learners' Vocabulary Learning

Subject Areas : All areas of language and translation

Saeideh Ahangari ¹ , Maryam Amini ² , Touran Ahour ³

1 - Department of English Language, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
2 - Department of English Language, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
3 - Department of English Language, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

Received: 2016-08-08 Accepted : 2016-08-08 Published : 2015-12-01

Keywords: Vocabulary, Visual aids, Semantic elaboration,

Abstract :

This study investigated the effect of using visual aids, semantic elaboration, and visual aids plus semantic elaboration on the Iranian EFL learners' vocabulary learning. To conduct the study, the researchers assigned 49 elementary learners to three homogeneous groups according to their proficiency level. Then, a pre-test of Paribakht and Wesche's Vocabulary Knowledge Scale was given to each group. As the treatment, the first experimental group consisting of 17 learners received visual aids instruction. The second experimental group had 16 learners who received semantic elaboration method. The last experimental group including 16 learners received visual aids plus semantic elaboration instruction. After the treatment, a similar post-test was used again. Then, an ANOVA analysis was run on the data. The results of ANOVA analysis indicated a significant difference in the performance of the learners of three groups in their post-tests. For determining the place of the differences, post hoc test analysis was used. The results demonstrated that the visual aids plus semantic elaboration group outperformed the other two groups.