Abstract:

In all schools in Turkey, English is a compulsory subject. Therefore, English is taught for two hours a week depending on the school type or grade. Since vocabulary is regarded as a crucial aspect in language learning, the purpose of the study is to investigate the vocabulary learning strategies adopted by 9th grade students, to find out which vocabulary learning strategies used most and the least. Another purpose of this study is to find whether there were any differences between male and female learners regarding strategy use. 172 9th grade students took part in this study and they were asked to fill in a questionnaire of 25 vocabulary learning strategy items. Also, a semi-structured interview with ten students was held. The data was analyzed by using frequency, percentages, and means. The mostly used strategies were Social (Discovery) and Determination Strategies and the least ones are Social (Consolidation) and Metacognitive Strategies. No significant difference of strategy use between female and male students was observed. However, when the strategy items were examined individually,  slight differences were observed. The findings contributed the teachers in terms of improving themselves and their students about the instruction of VLSs and it also helped the teachers to select appropriate course books and materials related with the strategy use of their students.

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