Developing the Barriers to Vocabulary Learning (5Vs) For Thai EFL Learners
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Abstract
Vocabulary has been one of the most challenging aspects of language learning, especially for EFL learners. The difficulties related to word learning are numerous and diverse, highlighting the need to explore underlying factors and possible relationships between different variables. A total of 507 Thai EFL learners completed a questionnaire designed based on word learning difficulties identified in previous studies. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to uncover potential factors underlying the various problems reported by the learners. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy was extremely high at 0.946, and Bartlett’s test for sphericity yielded a significant result. The analysis revealed five vocabulary learning barriers (5Vs), which accounted for 63.551% of the cumulative variance: Vocabulary Knowledge Aspect Difficulties (VKAD), Vocabulary Anxiety Barriers (VAB), Vocabulary Exposure Deficit (VED), Vocabulary Management Barriers (VMB), and Vocabulary Support Deficiency (VSD). The results suggest that teachers may design targeted training in these specific areas to assist students in vocabulary acquisition along with communicative competence.
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