Mnemonic Instruction: A Way to Boost Vocabulary Learning and Recall

Abstract

Traditionally, vocabulary was neglected in language teaching programs and curriculums for the sake of grammar and other parts of language. Nowadays, however, researchers have realized that vocabulary is an important part of language learning and teaching and worthy of attention and research. A proliferation of studies done on vocabulary can be taken as a proof to it. Students are, however, reported to frustrate when they face with new words, since they have difficulty retaining them. This paper provides information on how mnemonics devices can be used to solve this problem and to improve vocabulary learning, boost memory and enhance creativity

The Mnemonic Keyword Method: Effects on the Vocabulary Acquisition and Retention

“…Shapiro and Waters (2005) asserted that the superiority of the keyword method lies on the fact that visual images are considered strong stimuli for the human brain. Likewise, Amiryousefi and Ketabi (2011) believed that new words would be learned if they were combined with pictures. Not only can pictures facilitate recall, but they can also increase learners' motivation and interest.…”

“…In order to prove the effectiveness of the technique in various circumstances and show how the technique helps learners retain the words in their memory, a great deal of studies have been conducted (e.g., Amiryousefi & Ketabi, 2011;Brown & Perry, 1991;Sagarra & Alba, 2006;Shapiro & Waters, 2005). Some studies required the subjects to make their own imagery linkage between the sound in L1 and L2, while some were teacher-oriented.…”

Vocabulary Teaching in Foreign Language via Audiovisual Method Technique of Listening and Following Writing Scripts

“…One of the most challenging parts of every language learning is the acquisition of vocabulary items. Students, however, complain that they cannot remember the words they have learned (Amiryousefi & Ketabi, 2011). When learning vocabulary, learners often have problems with retention of words for a long time.…”

Effects of Hierarchy Vocabulary Exercises on English Vocabulary Acquisition

“…From a psychological perspective, the definition of memory was the capacity for storing, maintaining and recalling daily information (Parle, Singh, & Vasudevan, 2006). Amiryousefi (2011) also stated that the two essential memory types: short-term and long-term play an influential role in the achievement of vocabulary and grammar. With regard to short-term memory, only a small amount of information can be held in the mental storage capacity so acquisition rate is fast.…”

“…Vocabulary acquisition may be considered to be the main problem in learning the English language (Amiryousefi, 2011;Green & Meara, 1995).When teaching a new language, we place great emphasis on the importance of acquiring a useful vocabulary. In the EFL context, there can be no doubt that a limited vocabulary would impede language learning because vocabulary undergirds the four components of language, namely: listening, speaking, reading, and writing (Nam, 2010).…”