Abstract:

It is important to use the most appropriate and most interesting methods and techniques when teaching a language. One of the techniques used in vocabulary teaching is using caricatures. The purpose of this study is to determine the contributions of using caricatures to vocabulary retention in foreign language lessons (English). An experimental design with pretest-posttest and retention test control group was employed. The study was carried out with the voluntary participation of a total of 50 students in the preparatory class of a high school in Tokat during the fall semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. The students were randomly divided into two groups as experimental and control groups. The students in the experimental group were asked to draw the caricatures of the predetermined target words, and these drawings were hung on the walls of the class. The control group students studied the unit without caricatures through traditional methods accompanied by the teacher. At the outset of the study, a pretest covering the predetermined target words was administered to the students before starting the related unit. At the end of the unit, students were given a posttest, and then a retention test was administered after three weeks. In addition, the students in the experimental group were interviewed to determine their views on the use of caricatures. The results of the posttest indicated that there was no significant difference between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference between the retention test scores of the experimental and control groups. Additionally, it was found in the interviews with the experimental group students that using caricatures was beneficial. As a result, it was determined that using caricatures for teaching vocabulary increased retention.

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