A study of vocabulary learning strategies adopted by dentistry students in Hong Kong in learning specialized dental vocabulary

Abstract

Since research on the use of vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) among Hong Kong dentistry students has been scarce, this study attempts to investigate how an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course geared to help learn specialized dental vocabulary has affected their VLS use. Students’ perception of the usefulness of strategy training was also investigated. Data were collected by means of a pre-course and a post-course VLS questionnaire, post-course focus-group interviews, and students’ pre- and post-course vocabulary test scores. Findings from the questionnaires suggested that the training provided in learning dental vocabulary appeared to have an impact on students’ use of certain VLS and their vocabulary test scores at the end of the course. While most interviewees perceived the training currently provided by the course as useful and effective, they welcomed more strategy training and practice in class. Pedagogical implications derived from the findings are discussed at the end of the paper1.