Does Applying Vocabulary Learning Strategies Vary Based on Gender? The Case of Turkish EFL Learners

Abstract

This research study aimed at exploring the vocabulary learning strategies of the undergraduate English Language Teaching students at Eastern Mediterranean University in Northern Cyprus. These research questions posed accordingly: 1.What is the frequency of vocabulary leaning strategies? 2. Is there any difference in applying vocabulary learning strategies by male and female students? In order to analyze data and answer research questions, inferential statistics via SPSS (17) deployed. The finding of the study revealed that 24 vocabulary learning strategies out of 44 VLS (including psycholinguistic and metacognitive strategies) are being used infrequently while only 20 vocabulary learning strategies are being applied frequently via learners. However, the frequency mean for the psycholinguistic strategy use, metacognitive strategies as well as the overall frequency mean was slightly higher for the female respondents.

Keywords: gender difference, vocabulary learning strategies, language learning strategies