The Effect of the Instruction of the Etymology of the Words on the Overall Vocabulary Knowledge of the EFL learners: A Case of Iranian Learners

Iran, ID CLEaR2015-261;

In this study, we have tried to investigate the effect of the instruction of the etymology of words on the overall vocabulary knowledge of the EFL learners in three proficiency levels of Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced. The sample included six intact groups of EFL learners in three different proficiency levels, three of which were given instructions on the etymology of the words and were compared to the three corresponding control groups who did not receive any instruction of the etymology. An immediate post- test of vocabulary knowledge was administered to account for the short term effect of the instruction. Later on, a delayed post- test of vocabulary knowledge was administered a month later to account for the long term retention of the vocabulary. The results indicated that the instruction of etymology of the words had a significant effect on the overall vocabulary knowledge of the EFL learners. The effect appeared to be more significant on the advanced learners compared to the Intermediate ones and more on the Intermediate learners compared to the Elementary ones.