The Type of Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by ESL Students in University Putra Malaysia

One of the most important challenges that learners will face during the process of second language learning is learning vocabulary. Vocabulary has been recognized as crucial to language use in which insufficient vocabulary knowledge of the learners led to difficulties in second language learning. Thus, in the case of learning the vocabulary in second language, students need to be educated with vocabulary learning strategies. The present study examined the type of vocabulary learning strategies used by Malaysian ESL students majoring at Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) whereby ESL students at Universiti Putra Malaysia is a population that has been rarely included in any previous studies on vocabulary learning strategies. Based on the aim of this study, it was decided that the best method for this investigation to better understand the use of VLSs by these particular students is to adopt the qualitative research design. Hence, the method of conducting is an open-ended interview that was conducted individually with ten students at the Faculty of Education Studies in UPM. The concluded strategies such as the learning a word through reading, the use of monolingual dictionary, the use of various English language media, and applying new English word in their daily conversation where are related to memory, determination, metacognitive strategies respectively are popular strategies and the learners are keen in using them