The Effect of Cognitive Vocabulary Learning Strategies on Vocabulary Retention in ESP and EGP Contexts

Gabriela Nedelkoska; Svetlana Dimitrova-Gyuzeleva

doi:10.37075/RP.2026.2.07

Автори

ас. д-р Габриела Неделкоска Американски университет – ФОН Автор https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5529-4902
ас. д-р Светлана Димитрова-Гюзелева Нов български университет Автор https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5915-590X

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.37075/RP.2026.2.07

Ключови думи :

Когнитивни стратегии за усвояване на лексика, Задържане на лексиката, Усвояване на лексика, Английски език за специални цели, Английски език за общи цели

I21

Абстракт

Being at the core of second language proficiency, good knowledge of vocabulary is essential in both EGP and ESP contexts. This paper investigates the effectiveness of cognitive vocabulary learning strategies (VLS), focusing on their impact on vocabulary retention. Research data were collected from 296 learners of English as a second language through a vocabulary test measuring of their vocabulary size and a questionnaire eliciting self-reported VLS use, followed by a quasi-experiment assessing the effect of more conscious VLS application on learners’ language performance. Results indicate a statistically significant positive relationship between the use of cognitive strategies and vocabulary size. However, cognitive strategies were not associated with the highest levels of vocabulary achievement. The findings suggest that vocabulary retention is most effectively supported through a combination of cognitive processing and socially mediated learning practices.

Литература (библиография)

Georgieva, V. (2015). "Терциум компарационис" и преподаването на специализирана английска терминология. Чуждоезиково обучение – Foreign language teaching, 42(1), 28-39.

Belyaeva, Anastasiia (2015). English for Specific Purposes: Characteristic Features and Curriculum Planning Steps. Sustainable Multilingualism, 7, 73-91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7220/2335-2027.7.4

Katsarska, Vanya (2024). Linguistic Altitude: The Significance of Formulaic Language in Aviation English. International Conference Knowledge-Based Organization, pp. 136-141. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/kbo-2024-0065

Стефанова, Албена (2021). Improving the Communicative Competence in ESP of Students of Economics. Научни трудове на УНСС, 373-394. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37075/RP.2021.3.18

Aitchison, J. (2012). Words in the Mind: An Introduction to the Mental Lexicon. Malden, MA: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-470-65647-1

Basturkmen, H. (2005). Ideas and Options in English for Specific Purposes. Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410617040

Basturkmen, Helen (2021). ESP Research Directions: Enduring and Emerging Lines of Inquiry. Language Teaching Research Quarterly, 23, 5-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32038/ltrq.2021.23.02

Basturkmen, Helen (2024). Learning a Specialized Register: An English for Specific Purposes Research Agenda. Language Teaching, 58, 57-68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444823000472

Bloor, Meriel & Bloor, Thomas (1986). Languages for Specific Purposes: Practice and Theory. CLCS Occasional Paper No. 19. Trinity College.

Burns, Richard (1972). An Instructional Module Design. Educational Technology archive, 12(9), 27-29.

Chung, Teresa Mihwa & Nation, Paul (2004). Identifying Technical Vocabulary. System, 32(2), 251-263. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2003.11.008

Clarke, D.F. & Nation, I.S.P. (1980). Guessing the Meanings of Words from Context: Strategy and Techniques. System, 8(3), 211-220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0346-251X(80)90003-2

Corder, P. S. (1993). Introducing Applied Linguistics. London: Penguin. ISBN: 978-0-14-081051-6

Diamond, L. & Gutlohn, L. (2006). Vocabulary handbook. Berkeley: Consortium on Reading Excellence, Inc.

Dudley-Evans, Tony & St John, Maggie (1998). Developments in English for Specific Purposes: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Ehrman, Madeline & Oxford, Rebecca (1989). Effects of Sex Differences, Career Choice, and Psychological Type on Adult Language Learning Strategies. Modern Language Journal, 73, 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1989.tb05302.x

Elekaei, A., Tabrizi, H., & Chalak, A. (2020). A Study Into the Impact of the Choice of Cognitive and Meta-Cognitive Strategies and Podcasts on Vocabulary Gain and Retention Levels in the Telegram-Based E-Learning Context. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 20, 98-117.

Ellis, R. (2015). Understanding Second Language Acquisition (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Flowerdew, John & Peacock, Matthew (2001). Issues in EAP: A preliminary perspective. Research perspectives on English for Academic Purposes (Ed. Flowerdew, John and Peacock, Matthew), pp. 8-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524766.004

Foster, T. & Saenko, T. (2025). Improving Vocabulary Retention by Training Students to Use Vocabulary Learning Strategies In and Out of Class. Dialog on Language Instruction, 35(1). URL: https://www.dliflc.edu/ojs/dialog/article/view/22 (accessed 2025-10-15)

Harmer, J. (1991). The Practice of English Language Teaching: New Edition. New York: Longman.

Stenson, Nancy & Hornby, A. S. (1996). Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English. Oxford: Oxford University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/329464

Hyland, Ken (2022). English for Specific Purposes: What Is It and Where Is It Taking Us?. ESP Today, 10(2), 202-220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/esptoday.2022.10.2.1

Jiang, N (2000). Lexical Representation and Development in a Second Language. Applied Linguistics, 21(1), 47-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/21.1.47

Mariappan, Logenthini (2025). Examining the Influence of Outdoor Experiential Learning on ESL Vocabulary Retention. Cogent Education, 12(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2516871

Mitkovska, L., Kusevska, M., & Bužarovska, E. (2013). Corpus Research into English Interlanguage of Macedonian Learners: Acquisition and Crosslinguistic Influence. Skopje: First Private University FON.

Mondria, Jan-Arjen (2003). The Effects of Inferring, Verifying, and Memorizing on the Retention of L2 Word Meanings. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 25(04), 473-499. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263103000202

Neuman, Susan B. & Dwyer, Julie (2009). Missing in Action: Vocabulary Instruction in Pre‐K. The Reading Teacher, 62, 384-392. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1598/RT.62.5.2

Oxford, R. (1990). Language Learning Strategies: What Every Teacher Should Know. New York: Newbury House Publishers. ISBN: 0-06-632607-9

Peters, Elke & Webb, Stuart (2018). Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition Through Viewing L2 Television and Factors That Affect Learning. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 40(3), 551-577. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263117000407

Schmitt, N. (1997). Vocabulary learning strategies. Vocabulary. Description, acquisition and pedagogic (Ed. Schmitt, N. and Mccarthy, M.), pp. 199-227.

Schmitt, Norbert, Sonbul, Suhad, Vilkaitė‐Lozdienė, Laura, & Macis, Marijana (2019). Formulaic Language and Collocation. The Concise Encyclopaedia of Applied Linguistics (Ed. Chapelle, C.), pp. 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal0433.pub2

Stern, H. H. (1983). Fundamental concepts in language teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Walldén, Robert (2024). Contextual Elaborations and Shifts When Adult L2 Learners Present and Discuss Workplace-Related Vocabulary. Linguistics and Education, 80, 101272. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2024.101272

Webb, R. (2005). Leading Teaching and Learning in the Primary School from "Educative Leadership" to "Pedagogical Leadership". Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 33, 69-91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143205048175

Webb, S. & Nation, P. (2017). How Vocabulary is Learned. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching, 12(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.25170/ijelt.v12i1.1458

Wolter, B. (2006). Lexical Network Structures and L2 Vocabulary Acquisition: The Role of L1 Lexical/Conceptual Knowledge. Applied Linguistics, 27, 741-747. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/aml036

Yule, G. (2005). The Study of Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511819742