Vocabulary learning strategies employed by preparatory class students at Adana Anatolian Teacher training high school

This study aims to identify vocabulary learning strategies which are known by preparatory class students attending Adana Anatolian Teacher Training High School. Moreover, the second purpose of this study is to observe to what extent students can employ the vocabulary learning strategies they are aware of. In this study, a VLS questionnaire prepared by Marin and think-aloud protocols were used with 90 participants from the preparatory classes of Anatolian Teacher Training High School. After the VLS was completed by the participants, ten students were selected by the researcher for think-aloud protocols. The data obtained from VLS questionnaire were analysed in five categories: determination strategies, social strategies, cognitive strategies, memory strategies and metacognitive strategies. The frequencies and percentages were computed and shown in tables. Then, the protocols of ten students were transcribed and strategies used by the participants were grouped in a taxonomy. The findings of this study indicate that the participants are not successful enough to employ the vocabulary learning strategies which they believe that they know. Key Words: Vocabulary Learning Strategies, Cognitive Strategies, Metacognitive Strategies, Social Strategies, Think-aloud