The application of IT in language teaching with a focus on vocabulary acquisition

Information technology has made, in fact, a revolution in all aspects of human life including teaching and learning. Language learning and teaching is not an exception either. The use of multimedia in the area, in particular, received a great deal of attention in the last decade. This study examines which of the image modalities dynamic video or still pictures is more effective in aiding vocabulary acquisition. The participants are V • ESL students at Golestan Shokouh institute who were selected with regard to their proficiency level. Then, they were introduced to a hypermedia learning program, designed by the researcher for reading comprehension. The program provides users reading a narrative English test < graphics> video and sound all of which are intended to aid in the understanding and learning of unknown words. A within subject design was used in this study with V • participants being measured under three conditions: printed text definition alone; printed text definition coupled with still pictures and printed text definition coupled with video clips. In addition, a face-to- face interview was conducted, and questionnaires were distributed. Results of the study showed that a video clip was more effective in teaching unknown vocabulary words than a still picture. Among the suggested factors that explain such a result are that video better builds a mental image, better creates curiosity, leads to increased concentration, and embodies an advantages combination of modalities dynamic image, sound, and printed text.

Keywords:

IT , multimedia , vocabulary acquisition