Teaching Vocabulary through Web-Based Language Learning (WBLL) Approach

This study investigated the effect of Web-Based Language Learning (WBLL) and the Paper-based (conventional) approaches on vocabulary retention of Iranian foreign language learners. 300 participants were randomly assigned into two homogeneous groups; and then both groups were given a pre-test. The results of the pre-test underlined the homogeneity of the groups. Twelve expository passages selected by the researcher from CNN website after each session participants had to sit for an immediate quiz for the short term effect of the treatment and finally, at the end of the course and after a two-week interval, participants sat for their post-test as an indicator for the long term effect of the treatment. Findings revealed that there was a significant effect of the Web-Based Language Learning (WBLL) approach on the retention of vocabularies in the short term (p<.05). However, the post-test results indicated that the effect of the treatment in the long term has faded away.