EFL VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES AMONG TUAREG PEOPLE

Ahmed Omaar

EFL VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES AMONG TUAREG PEOPLE Abstract by Ahmed Omar Aghalli Omaar, Ph.D. Washington State University May 2016 Chair: Thomas Salsbury The main purpose of the study was to examine the overall use of Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS) among EFL Tuareg learners in the Libyan classroom and explore how the use of vocabulary learning strategies varies among Tuareg EFL learners with a focus on differences in strategy use between Tuareg men and women. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used first with quantitative data followed by qualitative data to provide an in-depth understanding of strategies used among the students. Self-reported questionnaires were used in the first phase of the mixed methods study to collect quantitative data from 126 EFL participants who were selected for the purpose of the study (convenience sample), and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 of the EFL students. The quantitative data revealed that the participants utilized various patterns of vocabulary strategies to discover and consolidate the meanings of English vocabulary. Regarding gender differences in strategy use, the statistical analysis revealed some patterns of differences in social strategies, the use of bilingual dictionaries, and speaking new words aloud. The qualitative data illuminated how the students perceived vocabulary learning strategies, their preferences and consistent use of varying combinations of strategies, and how they proceed with the learning of English vocabulary outside the class. The qualitative analysis showed that differences between men and women were related to gendered activities participants engaged in within their community that influenced their approaches to vocabulary strategies for consolidating the meanings of new English vocabulary. The results of the explanatory sequential mixed methods design provided rich, meaningful information which quantitative research alone could not have provided. It highlighted how vocabulary strategies vary when learners are bilingual and/or from different learning contexts and cultural backgrounds. Tuareg EFL learners have a strong affinity for using social strategies and relying on cooperative learning inside and outside the class to learn and study the meanings of English words in comparison with EFL learners from other cultural backgrounds.

EFL VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES AMONG TUAREG PEOPLE

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