The Effectiveness of the Vocabulary Notebook in Learning English Vocabulary by Libyan Master’s Students

This study was designed to investigate the perceptions of master’s students about vocabulary learning in EFL, and the effectiveness of using vocabulary notebooks in vocabulary acquisition. A qualitative approach was followed to collect data from 11 participants who were all Libyan master’s students in Eastern Mediterranean University. The data was gathered through individual semi-structured interviews with the participants and subsequently analyzed qualitatively. The results show that participants assign different roles to vocabulary and keeping a vocabulary notebook was recognized as a useful language learning strategy, expressing positive attitudes towards using one. Participants also reported that the vocabulary notebook helped vocabulary learning and language skills in many respects. The results suggest that the vocabulary notebook is not just a simple strategy for recording vocabulary but a complex engagement that has an impact on different aspects of language learning. Vocabulary notebooks, therefore, should be given more attention especially in an EFL context. They should be part of language teaching to make the learning of the target language more efficient.