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The Magic of Mnemonics for Vocabulary Learning of a Second Language

Received: 6 October 2014     Accepted: 27 November 2014     Published: 29 November 2014
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Abstract

The keyword method is undeniably an effective method for accelerating learning of suitable material. Nor is there any doubt that it improves immediate recall, which can be useful in itself. However, what people want is long-term recall, and it is there that the advantages of the keyword method are most contentious. In this short article we introduce keyword method that is a fun method of learning vocabulary through mnemonics. The method is not new but it is presently unknown in Iran. Keyword method is a kind of memory aid method which makes the retrieval process easier by bridging the meaning of words with related pictures mentally or physically. Here we will consider the advantages and also disadvantages of the method. Some examples from Spanish, and Persian are provided to make keyword method more tangible for students of foreign languages in Iran.

Published in International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Volume 3, Issue 1-1)

This article belongs to the Special Issue Teaching English as a Foreign / Second Language--tayebeh asgari

DOI 10.11648/j.ijll.s.2015030101.11
Page(s) 1-6
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Keyword Method, Mnemonics, Memory Aid

References
[1] Atkinson, R.C., Raugh, M.R.(1975). “An application of the mnemonic keyword method to the acquisition of Russian vocabulary”. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory.
[2] Atkinson, R.C. (1975). “Mnemotechnics in second- language learning”. American Psychologist. 30. pp. 821-828.
[3] Biber, D. (1990). “A typology of English texts”. Linguistics.
[4] Desrochers, A., Gélinas, Wieland, L.D.(1989). “An application of the mnemonic keyword method to the acquisition of German nouns and their grammatical gender”. Journal of Educational Psychology. 81pp. 25-32.
[5] Ellis, R. (1990). “Instructed Second Language Acquisition”. London: Blackwell. Engels, L.K. (1968). The fallacy of word counts. IRAL. 6. pp. 213-231.
[6] Gruneberg, M.M. (1998). “A commentary on criticism of the keyword method of learning foreign languages”. Applied Cognitive Psychology . 12.pp. 529-532.
[7] Hall, J.W., Owens, W.L. and Wilson, K.P.(1987). “Presentation rates and keywords in vocabulary learning”. Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society. 25.pp. 179-81.
[8] Hall, J.W., Wilson, K.P. and Patterson, R.J. (1981). “Mnemotechnics: Some limitations of the mnemonic keyword method for the study of foreign language vocabulary”. Journal of Educational Psychology. 73. pp. 345-57.
[9] Jones, M.S., Levin, M.E., Levin, J.R., and B.D. Beitzel,(2000). “Can vocabulary-learning strategies and pair-learning formats be profitably combined?”Journal of Educational Psychology. 92. pp. 256-62.
[10] McDaniel, M.A., and Pressley, M. (1984). “Putting the keyword method in context”. Journal of Educational Psychology. 76. pp. 598-609.
[11] McDaniel, M.A., Pressley, M., and Dunay, P.K. (1987). “Long-term retention of vocabulary after keyword and context learning”. Journal of Educational Psychology. 79. pp. 87-9.
[12] Pressley, M., and Levin, J.R.(1985). “Keywords and vocabulary acquisition: Some words of caution about Johnson, Adams, and Bruning (1985)”. ECTJ. 33.pp. 277-84.
[13] Pressley, M., Levin, J.R. and Miller, G.E. (1981). “The keyword method and children’s learning of foreign vocabulary with abstract meanings”. Canadian Journal of Psychology. 34.pp. 283-87.
[14] Pressley, M., Levin, J.R. Digdon,N. Bryant, S.L. andK. Ray,(1983). “Does method of item presentation affect keyword method effectiveness?”Journal of Educational Psychology.75.pp. 686-91.
[15] Pressley, M., Levin, J.R.Hall, J.W. Miller, G.E. andJ.K. Berry(1980). “The keyword method and foreign word acquisition”. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory. 6.pp. 163-73.
[16] Raugh, M.R., andAtkinson, R.C.(1975). “A mnemonic method for learning a second-language vocabulary”. Journal of Educational Psychology. 67.pp. 1-16.
[17] Shing, Y.S. andHeyworth, R.M. (1992). “Teaching English Vocabulary to Cantonese-speaking Students with the Keyword Method”. Education Journal. 20.pp.113-129.
[18] Sajjadi, M., (2010). “Using keyword method as a mnemonic device to teach vocabulary”.Iranian ELT journal.
[19] Wang, A.Y. and Thomas, M.H. (1995). "Effect of keywords on long-term retention: help or hindrance?"Journal of Educational Psychology. 87.pp. 468-75.
[20] Wang, A.Y. (1989). “Do Mnemonic Devices Lessen Forgetting?”Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association. (97th, New Orleans. LA. August.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Farzaneh Khabbazibab Anari, Mansoureh Sajjadi, Firooz Sadighi. (2014). The Magic of Mnemonics for Vocabulary Learning of a Second Language. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 3(1-1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.s.2015030101.11

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    ACS Style

    Farzaneh Khabbazibab Anari; Mansoureh Sajjadi; Firooz Sadighi. The Magic of Mnemonics for Vocabulary Learning of a Second Language. Int. J. Lang. Linguist. 2014, 3(1-1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.s.2015030101.11

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    AMA Style

    Farzaneh Khabbazibab Anari, Mansoureh Sajjadi, Firooz Sadighi. The Magic of Mnemonics for Vocabulary Learning of a Second Language. Int J Lang Linguist. 2014;3(1-1):1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ijll.s.2015030101.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijll.s.2015030101.11,
      author = {Farzaneh Khabbazibab Anari and Mansoureh Sajjadi and Firooz Sadighi},
      title = {The Magic of Mnemonics for Vocabulary Learning of a Second Language},
      journal = {International Journal of Language and Linguistics},
      volume = {3},
      number = {1-1},
      pages = {1-6},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijll.s.2015030101.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijll.s.2015030101.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijll.s.2015030101.11},
      abstract = {The keyword method is undeniably an effective method for accelerating learning of suitable material. Nor is there any doubt that it improves immediate recall, which can be useful in itself. However, what people want is long-term recall, and it is there that the advantages of the keyword method are most contentious. In this short article we introduce keyword method that is a fun method of learning vocabulary through mnemonics. The method is not new but it is presently unknown in Iran. Keyword method is a kind of memory aid method which makes the retrieval process easier by bridging the meaning of words with related pictures mentally or physically. Here we will consider the advantages and also disadvantages of the method. Some examples from Spanish, and Persian are provided to make keyword method more tangible for students of foreign languages in Iran.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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    AB  - The keyword method is undeniably an effective method for accelerating learning of suitable material. Nor is there any doubt that it improves immediate recall, which can be useful in itself. However, what people want is long-term recall, and it is there that the advantages of the keyword method are most contentious. In this short article we introduce keyword method that is a fun method of learning vocabulary through mnemonics. The method is not new but it is presently unknown in Iran. Keyword method is a kind of memory aid method which makes the retrieval process easier by bridging the meaning of words with related pictures mentally or physically. Here we will consider the advantages and also disadvantages of the method. Some examples from Spanish, and Persian are provided to make keyword method more tangible for students of foreign languages in Iran.
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Author Information
  • English Language Department, Islamic Azad University, Gheshm Baranch, Gheshm, Iran

  • English Language Department, Islamic Azad University, Abadeh Branch, Abadeh, Iran

  • English Language Department, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz Branch, Shiraz, Iran.

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