Vocabulary development in the learning of science at the first secondary class

النوع : Mémoire

The present study examines the importance of vocabulary development in the field of science. It presents an approach that is based on the interpretive level. This approach helps students improve their vocabulary in various subject areas. It requires students to analyze relationships among terms by focusing on group discussions prompted by exercises on the interpretive level. An experiment is conducted to answer certain questions the investigator poses in advance. Sixty-six first-secondary public-school students participated in the study. The results showed that vocabulary development in the field of science is positively related to the recall of information across all text-types, for vocabulary instruction has the greatest effect on comprehension when students are engaged in different activities including, but not limited to, defining words and using words in context. Furthermore, the results of the study revealed that the participants became aware of the importance of improving their terminology in content areas, for vocabulary knowledge is fundamental to comprehending text. Moreover, results of the student questionnaire showed that it became clear to them that in order to promote comprehension, they needed to develop an understanding of how words could be used across contexts, and be able to understand the meanings of words quickly while reading.