The Effect of Drawing Pictures on Improving Iranian Elementary EFL learners’ L2 Vocabulary Knowledge

Abstract

Undoubtedly vocabulary is the most important step in the journey of language learning. It is more vital in foreign language situations due to the limited exposure of the language learners to the target language and inadequate opportunities to use learnt items in real situations. They cannot express their ideas because of the lack of word knowledge when they need. It is a safe claim that vocabulary teaching techniques are not effective enough, and words are not kept in long-term memory. There is a serious need for effective strategies. This study tries to present an effective strategy for vocabulary learning of children. Sixty female language learners contributed in the present study which has Been completed in one academic semester. They have been divided into two groups: one as an experimental group in which learners learnt new vocabulary items through drawing pictures, and one control group whose students learned the equal items through traditional instruction. At the beginning of the program, the researcher administered a langue proficiency test. Afterwards a pretest of vocabulary subsequently was run on learners’L2 vocabulary knowledge. At that point the intervention got started. After completing the program, with the intention of measuring effectiveness of the treatment one posttest was performed. Afterwards, the researcher analyzed the gathered data. Since there were two groups in the study, the researcher applied t-test for analysis. The results demonstrated that drawing pictures were undeniably effective in the process of word acquisition.