English Vocabulary Learning Strategies Used by Eleventh Grade Students of SMK N 2 Salatiga

Abstract

Mastering vocabulary is one of the basic aspects of language learning. Vocabulary learning becomes challenge that learners will face during the language learning process. Luckily, there are vocabulary learning strategies that can make the learning of new words become feasible. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the application of vocabulary learning strategies by learners. The main purpose of this study was to describe vocabulary learning strategies used by students in learning new words. This research employed a mixed-method design in order to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. This study applied survey as a research method in collecting data. This study involved 100 students from 3 classes in grade-eleventh of SMK N (State Vocational High School) 2 Salatiga. The data were collected using a questionnaire which was developed based on the theory proposed by Schmitt (1997). The data from the questionnaire were categorized into five categories, namely determination strategies, cognitive strategies, social strategies, memory strategies, and metacognitive strategies. The result of this study revealed that the participants most frequently used metacognitive strategies and the least strategies were cognitive strategies. This study also proposed some pedagogical implications of the vocabulary learning strategies.