Direct Language Learning Strategies in EFL

Abstract

This present study was designed to investigate the impact of using direct language learning strategies on long term and short term (LT and ST for short) of vocabulary retention of non-specialist EFL learners in Iraq. A total of 60 Iraqi male non-specialist EFL learner’s college between the ages of 19 and 21participated in the study. The data were collected using a questionnaire (five-point rating) from Oxford’s (1990) the Strategy Inventory for the Language Learning (SILL for short / version7). To identify the strategies used, the information gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics of means, frequency and standard deviation. In direct language learning strategies (DLLS for short) study, the (t-test) has been used to examine the learners ' performance of vocabulary retention in LT and ST. On the other hand, One-way between groups (ANOVA) with post-hoc comparison test was used to investigate the differences between LT and ST of the vocabulary retention by using the subcategories of direct language learning strategies. The outcomes showed that the learners’ strategy uses ST more out weights than LT of vocabulary retention. According to the outcomes, the most used (in both long term and short term) was (memory) strategies and followed by (compensation and cognitive) strategies. In the light of the results obtained, a number of pedagogical implications and suggestions were presented.