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.