Institutional Repository | Satya Wacana Christian University: Vocabulary Learning Strategies of Students in Economic International Program

VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES OF STUDENTS IN
ECONOMIC INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
Tia Arsita Desiana
Faculty of Language and Literature, Satya Wacana Christian University,
Salatiga – Indonesia.

Abstract
Learning technical vocabulary is crucial for ESP students. Vocabulary learning strategies is
important to help students in understanding and learning specialized words. The present
study explored Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS) used by Economic International
Program in learning specialized words. The data were collected by using Schmitt’s
vocabulary learning strategies questionnaire adapted from Kafipour and Naveh (2011) and
Komol and Sripetpun (2011). The questionnaire had thirty-three items administered to 24
students of Economic International Program. An interview was also conducted to get more
information from the participants. The results showed that the students chose practical,
simple, and fast strategies in learning vocabulary. Checking if the word is also an
Indonesian word, guessing word’s meaning from the context, asking the teacher to give
definition, studying the word with my classmates, remembering the word by studying and
paying attention to word’s spelling, underlining the word, and using English media were
highly chosen in the present study.

Key words: Vocabulary learning strategies, ESP, EFL, technical words