2.3. Data Analysis
To answer question one of the study, the findings of the questionnaire revealed that
the major strategies for learning specialized and non-specialized vocabulary did not
differ in general among ESP students in different fields of study, that is, the most
frequent comprehension strategy was using bilingual dictionaries and the most
commonly used learning strategy was oral and/written repetition. In addition, three
main VLSs were elicited from observations and interviews and the rationale for using
these strategies were explained according to some underlying factors (answer to
question two). It is necessary to mention that the factors affecting the kind of
strategies used by the participants might not have been revealed solely by using
questionnaires yet they were detected mainly through observations and interviews.
2.3.1. Person-related factors
Motivation. Students who had integrative motivation in addition to instrumental
motivation, for instance those who were determined to continue their education at
post graduate levels or had a great tendency to use the original English terminology in
their speech instead of their Persian equivalents, reported that they spent more time
and energy specially for learning specialized vocabulary. They were determined to
learn the specialized words due to their key role in following their current academic
studies and performing effectively in their current simulated (i.e., training courses)
and future occupational settings (e.g. in the clinics or hospitals).
Attitudes/Beliefs. Students (60%) reported that using English words in Persian
speech unconsciously would bring about some kind of prestige for them and
consequently they would be encouraged to use more English words (specialized in
academic settings and non-specialized in ordinary conversations depending on their
interlocutors’ knowledge of English language).
In contrast, there were students (35%) who did not like to switch to English while
they were speaking Persian and some (40%) who believed that learning English was
very difficult especially due to their low language proficiency and/or their prior
unpleasant learning experiences during their course of education. They, therefore,
reported that learning English in general and learning English vocabulary in particular
is a time-consuming activity; and the only way to learn it is to memorize it; at least to
fulfill their immediate needs.