Investigating the Effect of Using pictures on Improving Iranian EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning

English

Due to the findings of memory studies pictures are kept in mind more effectively than words. For instance, a list of pictures is recalled easier than the relevant words (Carpenter & Olson, 2011). Thus the current study was an attempt to examine the effect of pictures on improving Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary learning. Sixty female elementary level learners participated in the quasi-experimental study which completed in one academic semester. The results of the study indicated that using pictures as instructional tools is an influential method for vocabulary teaching. That could be due to their role in activating both visual and verbal memory of the learners. Through making use of pictures learners knew how to connect the images to corresponding verbal levels. Derived from the nature of pictures; in using them there was a relaxed atmosphere and it was really important, since anxiety impedes learning. The other point was the element of self confidence which enhanced in the students of the experimental group; because they learnt easily and somehow effortlessly hence they found themselves successful and efficient. Enhancement in self- confidence helps learners to be autonomous, which is an important element in the process of learning in general and language learning in particular.

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