key factors impacting students acquisition of vocabulary

While the field of second language acquisition, specificallyEnglish, has yielded a great deal of research, the specific challenges associated withacquiring English vocabulary remain a di

HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

1.2 Statement of the Problem 2

1.3 Significance of the Study 2

1.4 Purpose of the Study 3

1.5 Research Questions 3

1.6 Definition of the Keywords 3

1.7 Limitation and Delimitation 4

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 5

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

I would like to acknowledge and give my warmest thanks to my supervisor,Pham Ngoc Son (Mr.), who made this work possible His guidance and advice carriedme through all the stages of writing my project I would also like to thank mycommittee members for letting my defense be an enjoyable moment, and for yourbrilliant comments and suggestions.

I would also like to give special thanks to my family as a whole for theircontinuous support and understanding when undertaking my research and writing myproject Your prayer for me was what sustained me this far.

Finally, I would like to thank God, for letting me through all the difficulties Ihave experienced your guidance day by day You are the one who let me finish mydegree I will keep on trusting you for my future.

Student’s name NGUYỄN THỊ DIỄM TIÊN

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

For foreign language learners, the role of vocabulary is important because itdirectly affects the acquisition and use of English Vocabulary serves as a fundamentalfoundation that profoundly influences the development of reading, listening, writingand speaking skills In our contemporary globalized society, achieving proficiency inEnglish vocabulary is of paramount importance The lack of a solid vocabulary can bea formidable obstacle, hindering a student's progress and acquisition of knowledge.Moreover, possessing a rich vocabulary helps students communicate more easily,allowing accurate expression of thoughts and feelings, especially in written andspoken expression.

In this age of wide connectivity, acquiring a rich vocabulary is a powerful tool,enabling students to interact, explore and engage with global cultures and fields ofstudy techniques, thereby motivating them to achieve their ambitions However,embarking on the journey of vocabulary mastery is a multifaceted and complexprocess, influenced by a multitude of factors that complicate vocabulary acquisitionand memorization While the field of second language acquisition, specificallyEnglish, has yielded a great deal of research, the specific challenges associated withacquiring English vocabulary remain a dilemma and are areas that need moreattention.

In the midst of the diversity of modern learning environments, technologicaladvancements and growing teaching methods, it is now important to understand thecomplexity and influence of these factors on students' vocabulary acquisition studentsbecome urgent and important This study attempts to elucidate the central factorsaffecting students' vocabulary acquisition along with their respective effects At thesame time, research seeks to assist students in mitigating their challenges and offeringappropriate strategies for effective vocabulary learning Thereby, this will facilitatestudents in achieving vocabulary fluency, thus making it easier for students to pursue,approach and achieve the goal of improving English vocabulary.

1.2.Statement of the Problem

Vocabulary acquisition is a key component of language learning which has asignificant impact on a student's language competency and overall success in thelanguage learning process This topic includes both theoretical investigation andpractical application, with an emphasis on the identification and comprehension ofcritical factors that impact and form the system of language acquisition amongstudents Understanding these factors in depth is critical for educators, curriculumdesigners, and learners alike, allowing them to develop and implement suitable,effective learning vocabulary tactics This endeavor enables students to navigate andavoid challenging circumstances that arise throughout the vocabulary learningprocedure, boosting their linguistic flair.

Despite significant research being conducted on language acquisition and learning, acomprehensive exploration of the key factors that significantly influence studentvocabulary acquisition is lacking Previous studies have often investigated broaderaspects of language learning, but less have delved into the key factors and their effectsthat specifically contribute to vocabulary acquisition As such, there is a glaring gap inthe literature regarding the detailed understanding and study of the factors thatinfluence students' acquisition and development of vocabulary.

Several existing studies highlight the existence of the aforementioned gap For

instance, Oxford (1990) claims that vocabulary "is the most significant and

unmanageable component in learning any language" and Nation (2008) says that

vocabulary is central to language However, factors affecting vocabulary learning isvery complicated, including individual and contextual factors Previous studies havenot deeply investigate how these factors impact to vocabulary acquisition Theseinstances collectively suggest that the scholarly community has acknowledged the gapin understanding the intricate factors influencing students' vocabulary acquisition.To address this gap, this study conducts an in-depth investigation and analysis ofvarious factors that directly and indirectly affect students' vocabulary acquisition.Using a mixed approach that combines quantitative data analysis and qualitativeinsights, this study aims to address the issue by offering a comprehensive exploration

of distinct challenges.The impact of these factors and finding appropriate and effectivevocabulary acquisition strategies for learners in general and students in particularbased on the modern development of today's learning environment In that way, thisresearch aims to bridge the theoretical and practical aspects of vocabulary acquisition,providing students with the most accurate insights into the direct and indirect effectsof these factors This is the key factor to be able to take action to avoid difficultieswhile learning vocabulary and promote the application of appropriate languagelearning methods.

1.3.Significance of the Study

Vocabulary acquisition is an essential fundamental and fundamental aspect ofstudents' language learning and is pivotal to overall academic success Understandingand addressing the key factors that influence students' vocabulary acquisition iscritical for educators, researchers, and students themselves This research is meant tocontribute to elucidating these factors as well as their effects, thereby contributing tothe advancement of the field of education and helping students acquire languagesmore effectively.

This study is meant to learn about the influence of different factors on the process ofacquiring vocabulary and the development of foreign language ability in universitystudents The findings of the study is to contribute to the field of education andimprove the efficiency of language acquisition for students with the help of aprofound analysis of the factors Based on those findings, educators can modify theirteaching methods and curriculum design to be more relevant and effective to helpstudents improve their vocabulary and achieve results learn foreign languages better.Furthermore, through an in-depth study of these factors, students will gain accurateinformation about their positive and negative impacts, thereby being able to chooseand apply methods.In addition, this study will shed light on the issues of factorsaffecting students' vocabulary acquisition that previous studies have not yet addressed.By digging into these gaps and conducting a comprehensive investigation, this studyaims to close the existing knowledge gap The identified vulnerabilities themselves

serve as the rationale for the importance of this study, as they emphasize the need fora thorough exploration of the topic.

1.4.Purpose of the Study

The main aim of this study is to explore and analyze various factors that have asignificant impact on students' vocabulary acquisition Through this investigation, thestudy deepens its understanding of how various factors, such as teaching methods,objective and subjective factors, affect students' vocabulary development The studyintends to identify effective and appropriate learning methods for students to acquirevocabulary and to examine how this acquisition relates to overall languageproficiency.

1.5.Research Questions

Based on the aims discussed above, there are two research questions in this study: 1.What are the factors that affect students’ vocabulary acquisition?

2 How can English learners learn vocabulary effectively?

1.6.Definition of the KeywordsMotivation

Motivation stands as a crucial element within the realm of second languageacquisition In this study, motivation can be understood as factors that determine aperson’s desire to do something (Richards, 1985).

Vocabulary Learning strategies (VLSs)

One of the fundamental aspects of acquiring a new language, particularly when itcomes to mastering vocabulary, involves the act of committing vocabulary words tomemory, or to put it more precisely, retaining lexical knowledge within your mind.The act of memorizing vocabulary stands as a pivotal factor in achieving proficiencyin a foreign language Cameron (2001) defines VLSs as“the actions that help learners

to understand and remember vocabulary items” Hamzah, Kafipour and Abdullah

(2009) used three different angles to analyze VLS First, it can be any conduct thelearners take to prop the literacy process of new vocabulary Second, these conducts

must be suitable to ameliorate the effectiveness of vocabulary literacy Third, VLSsare conscious conduct taken by the learner in order to study new words.

Vocabulary can be defined in various ways Commonly, vocabulary can be defined aswords we must know to communicate effectively Hath and Brown (1995) definedthat vocabulary is knowledge of words and words meanings According to thedefinition provided by Hatch and Brown (1995), vocabulary can be described as acompilation of words that an individual speaker has the ability to use.

1.7.Limitation and Delimitation1.7.1 Limitation

There are some limitations in this study.

-The first limitation comes to the English Language Proficiency of the Research Scholars was not taken intoconsideration when the study was conducted.

- The second one would be participants’ gender and age factor were not considered in the investigation

- Last but not least, this study also lacks of Language of Instruction: The study will be delimited to students who are primarily instructed in English This is due to theresearcher's proficiency in English and the need for accurate data interpretation However, it's acknowledged that students in bilingual or multilingual settings might have different vocabulary acquisition experiences.

- Explore the possibility of utilizing translation and validation procedures toadapt study materials for participants who are instructed in languages otherthan English, while maintaining the integrity of the study design.

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

1 Overview of learning vocabulary1.1.Definition of vocabulary

Acquiring a new language necessitates an understanding of its vocabulary Thisimplies that individuals must familiarize themselves with the words and terms ofthe language they are learning There are many definitions of vocabulary accordingto experts.Vocabulary can be described and explained in many ways, givingdifferent perspectives on its importance According to the definition provided byHatch and Brown (1995), vocabulary can be described as a compilation of wordsthat an individual speaker has the ability to use According to Nation (2008, p.66),vocabulary plays a crucial role in language This implies that vocabulary is thefundamental component of language Additionally, vocabulary refers to one'sunderstanding of words and their meanings in a particular language According toHath and Brown (1995), vocabulary encompasses the understanding of words andtheir meanings Words exist in both written and spoken forms, with printvocabulary being used in reading and writing, and oral vocabulary consisting ofwords we recognize and use in listening and speaking Word knowledge can becategorized into two forms: receptive and productive Receptive vocabulary refersto words we recognize when we hear or see them, while productive vocabularyrefers to the words we use when speaking or writing (Hath and Brown, 1995).

1.2.Kinds of vocabulary:

Vocabulary can be categorized into two types known as Active vocabulary and

Passive vocabulary.

Active Vocabulary: Active vocabulary comprises words that students understand

and can use in both speech and writing It includes words that are commonly usedin daily life and are familiar to individuals Hiebert and Kamil (2005) describeactive vocabulary as words that are frequently used, well-known, and familiar It isalso referred to as productive vocabulary or working vocabulary However, not allwords heard during a lesson become part of the active vocabulary (Hiebert andKamil, 2005).

Passive Vocabulary: passive vocabulary refers to words that learners understand

but are unable to use It encompasses all the words that students comprehend whenreading, listening, and speaking It may consist of unfamiliar words, which can beunderstood based on contextual clues (Jhon and Acres, 2013) Passive vocabularyoften includes words that are encountered less frequently and may be consideredlow-frequency words in a language as a whole Jhon and Acres (2013) suggest thatone way to expand vocabulary is by transferring words from passive to activevocabulary.

1.3.Importance of vocabulary

In all languages, having a strong vocabulary holds immense importance inconveying ideas, expressing desires and emotions, as well as engaging in effectivecommunication with others Vocabulary is central to language acquisition andencompasses the knowledge of words and their meanings.The main cause ofcommunication challenges and affecting language acquisition is always a lack ofvocabulary Furthermore, Lewis (1993) asserts that the core and essence of alanguage is made up of vocabulary Especially as students move towards their goalof becoming fluent and proficient in English at a higher level, acquiring a broaderrange of effective vocabulary and cultivating personalized vocabulary learningstrategies of paramount importance Therefore, the importance of vocabularyacquisition in learning English is undeniable, as learners without a solidvocabulary will have difficulty understanding others and speaking their ownminds Surname In summary, English vocabulary acts as a catalyst to helplearners not only understand but also interact effectively with others (Tozcu andCoady, 2004) It consists of both print vocabulary (used in reading and writing)and oral vocabulary (used in listening and speaking) Understanding the factorsthat impact students' acquisition of vocabulary is crucial for educators to designeffective instructional strategies Individual differences, instructional approaches,and contextual influences all play a significant role in shaping students' vocabularydevelopment Further research is needed to explore the effects of these factorsmore deeply in order to facilitate effective vocabulary instruction and improve