An Exploratory Study of Vocabulary Learning Strategies by Saudi Female First-year EFL University Students

Abstract

The aim of this exploratory study is to investigate the vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) used by 55 Saudi female freshmen students studying English as a foreign language (EFL). The participants were enrolled in their second level of English (ELI 112) in the university’s foundation program. To provide rich detailed data, the study integrated two research instruments to collect the data: a closed/open-ended questionnaire that adapted Schmitt’s (1997) taxonomy of VLSs, and a vocabulary diary learning log. The overall results of this study show that the participants used all the different VLSs at different rates. Participants tended to resort more to memory VLSs followed by determination, cognitive, social, and finally metacognitive strategies.