Second Language Vocabulary Learning Through Visual and Textual Representation

Vocabulary functions as an existential foundation for language. Furthermore, vocabulary learning is one of the most problematic fields in second language learning. It has attracted cynosure of a wealth of studies in recent years. However, the fact that majority of Iranian second language (L2) learners have learnt English through traditional methods has compounded the problem. To arrive at a better understanding of this problem, this study compared the effect of visual cues versus textual input-enhancement on vocabulary learning of Iranian intermediate EFL learners. A predominantly quantitative approach, along with a quasi-experimental design, was used. 90 EFL learners were selected and, following a pre-test, were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (visual cues and textual input-enhancement) and a control group. After the treatment, a post-test was administered for all groups. Thorough analysis of the data obtained using paired t-test and one-way ANOVA, it was indicated that visual cues have a significant impact on vocabulary learning of Iranian intermediate EFL learners.