Vocabulary learning problems of 7th and 8th grade students of public schools in La Paz

Abstract

Many 7th and 8th grade students of different public schools feel the need of learning vocabulary to use it in real communication; however when they try to learn vocabulary , they face problems in this process. Considering this, the present study is aimed to support to linguistics professors, English teachers, English learning books, sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics. Consequently, this research, mainly based on constructivist approach, argues that most of the problems might be related to the meaning, written form and learning conditions. Thus, it describes some vocabulary learning problems students may have as well as it suggests ways to overcome some of these difficulties. It also considers the strategies that students use in order to learn vocabulary in that context.

Accordingly, chapter one introduces the study, sets out the background of the problem and the justification, formulates the research questions, proposes the objectives of the study and formulates the hypotheses. Chapter two presents the theoretical framework. Chapter three describes the methodology of the research, the characteristics of the design, the procedures, population and sample. This also presents the gathering information instruments and the validity and reliability of them. Chapter four is related to the data analysis, interpretation and central findings of the study. Consequently, chapter five presents the conclusion of the study; it confirms the three hypotheses and gives some recommendations for upcoming researches.

Finally, a proposal for vocabulary learning and practice is presented in chapter six. This proposal was designed considering the results of the study and it gives the reader some ideas about easy vocabulary learning activities.