DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2706-6185/59/132-136
Khatira Mammadova
Nakhchivan State University
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3739-032X
khatiramammadova@ndu.edu.az
The Effectiveness of Contextual Learning Strategies in Enhancing
Vocabulary Retention Among Foreign Language Learners
Abstract
The vocabulary knowledge is central in the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills development when learning a foreign language. Nevertheless, the learning of words in the form of isolated lists or employing direct translation is not always guaranteeing long-term memory. This article aims to review the effectiveness of contextual learning strategies in improving the vocabulary retention of students of a foreign language. The research is premised by the conceptual-analytical method and comparative analysis of the foundations and recent research on second language vocabulary studies. The article asserts that contextual learning strategies enhance retention due to the fact that they relate word form, meaning, and collocation and communicative function unlike lexical items as independent entities. Meanwhile, context is not enough in itself. Great retention comes with the reinforcement of contextual exposure by repeated exposure, scaffolds of a teacher, design of purposeful tasks, note taking, and planned focus on target vocabulary. The comparison of incidental and intentional vocabulary learning is discussed and demonstrates that the best model is an integrated one. The article concludes that contextual learning based on authentic texts, dialogues, collocation-based practice, and staged review processes may do a great job in enhancing both vocabulary memory and the capacity of learners to apply words in where they are used in real communicative contexts.
Keywords: vocabulary retention, contextual learning, foreign language teaching, lexical acquisition, incidental learning, intentional learning