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Academic Vocabulary Acquisition Difficulties for Saudi Postgraduate Students in New Zealand Universities

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  • Ayman Ankawi

Abstract

Education outcomes for L2 students in academic preparation programs, undergraduate studies, and graduate work are directly influenced by the learning and use of academic vocabulary. Among 15 Saudi graduate students studying in New Zealand, this study investigated at their perspectives with academic vocabulary learning. Students in Saudi Arabia who are enrolled at New Zealand universities were asked about their difficulties in learning academic vocabulary. According to this study, a new perspective on academic vocabulary can be gained by studying students' assessments of their problems in learning academic vocabulary. Four research questions are the focus of the study- 1) When it comes to mastering academic vocabulary, what are the most common challenges faced by postgraduate students? 2) What methods do these Saudi postgraduate students employ in order to increase their knowledge of academic language? 3) Do students who perceive the most difficulty in learning a new language likely to have had the least effective ways for learning vocabulary. 4) Saudi graduate students confront what kinds of problems in learning academic vocabulary? Academic vocabulary is typically a problem for graduate students in a number of areas. These challenges were addressed utilizing a qualitative approach, that comprised an exploratory study, personal face-to-face questions, and a group discussion. A wide range of academic circumstances were found to be problematic for all 15 participants, regardless of language proficiency. It was difficult to find time to read for writing when there was so much emphasis on paraphrasing. (Hirvela, 2016) Aside from that, participants had no prior experience with academic vocabulary learning and only a limited number of strategies at their disposal to assist them. In contrast, the results of this study do not support the concept that merely being revealed to academic language can increase the chances of incidental vocabulary development; somewhat more, they recommend that deliberate vocabulary knowledge is needed, so such learning should be based on sound academic skills, including the use of vocabulary study materials; and unsuitable vocabulary acquisition strategies could indeed risk causing unhappiness and loss of vocabulary knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayman Ankawi, 2022. "Academic Vocabulary Acquisition Difficulties for Saudi Postgraduate Students in New Zealand Universities," English Language Teaching, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 15(9), pages 138-138, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:eltjnl:v:15:y:2022:i:9:p:138
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Majed Ali Alqahtani, 2015. "Teaching English for Specific Purposes: Attitudes among Saudi Engineering Students," English Language Teaching, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(7), pages 1-76, July.
    2. List, John A, et al, 2001. "Academic Economists Behaving Badly? A Survey on Three Areas of Unethical Behavior," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 39(1), pages 162-170, January.
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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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