The Effect of Using Semantic Maps on Jordanian EFL 8th Grade Students' Vocabulary Learning

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of using semantic maps on Jordanian EFL 8th grade students’ vocabulary items. The participants of the study were 83 females eighth grade students from two intact sections from Ballie Secondary School for Girls. One was assigned as a control group which was taught by the guidelines of the Teacher's Book, and the other as an experimental group, which was taught the semantic maps based- instructional program. Teaching the instructional program lasted for eight weeks during the first semester of the academic year 2018-2019. The instruments used to collect data were a pre-/post- vocabulary test. The findings of the study showed that there were statistically significant differences (at α ≤0.05) between the students` performance on the vocabulary test in favor of the students in the experimental group. The improvement in the students’ vocabulary items could have been a result of using semantic maps in teaching vocabulary items. The students expanded their vocabulary items. Several recommendations were put forth for EFL researchers and the Ministry of Education.  Key words: semantic maps; vocabulary items expansion.