The vocabulary learning strategy use of Iranian elementary EFL learners

Abstract

In order to learn vocabulary efficiently, the utilisation of learning strategies is very important and surely it depends on learners’ attempts. The current study aimed at examining the strategies that Iranian elementary English as a foreign language (EFL) learners adopt for learning English vocabulary. To this end, based on the performance of the participants on the Quick Placement Test, the researcher recruited 100 participants through availability sampling. To determine the strategies that the participants employ for learning English vocabulary, Schmitt’s taxonomy of vocabulary learning strategies (VLSs) questionnaire was administered. The findings of the current study indicated that Iranian elementary EFL students were medium VLS users. The social strategy was found as the most frequently used category of strategies, followed by memory, determination, cognitive and metacognitive strategy.   Keywords: Language, learning strategies, vocabulary, Iranian, elementary.