The Effect of Mnemonic Key Word Method on Vocabulary
Learning and Long Term Retention
Mohammad Ahmadi Safa
Assistant Professor, Bu-Ali Sina University
Raouf Hamzavi
M.A. student, Bu-Ali Sina University
Abstract
Most of the studies on the key word method of second/foreign language vocabulary
learning have been based on the evidence from laboratory experiments and have
primarily involved the use of English key words to learn the vocabularies of other
languages. Furthermore, comparatively quite limited number of such studies is done
in authentic classroom contexts. The present study inquired into the effect of using
mnemonic key word method of vocabulary instruction on the learning and retention
of vocabulary over long term in a normal EFL classroom context.Fifty5
th grade
primary school students were selected and randomly assigned into experimental and
control groups. The experimental group received vocabulary instruction using
mnemonic key word method and the control group received classic memorization
based instruction of the same vocabulary items. The two groups took three posttests a
day, two weeks, and a month after the last treatment session. A MANOVA analysis
was run on the data and the results indicated that subjects in the key word group
outperformed the memorization group at a significant level in both their learning and
retention of the newly learnt vocabularies. The results of the study underscore the
efficacy of the establishment of mental links and images for the vocabulary learning
and retention of novice and beginning level EFL learners. It further implies that
mnemonic devices like key word method should be given prompt attention by both
EFL material developers and practitioners as a potentially effective strategy for
vocabulary teaching, learning and long term retention at the early stages of second or
foreign language development.
Key Words: Mnemonic Keyword Method, Rote Memorization, Vocabulary,
Retention, Vocabulary Learning