L’ACQUISITION DU VOCABULAIRE DU FRANÇAIS LANGUE ÉTRANGÈRE DANS LES UNIVERSITÉS NIGÉRIANES

Tar, Maryam (2013) L’ACQUISITION DU VOCABULAIRE DU FRANÇAIS LANGUE ÉTRANGÈRE DANS LES UNIVERSITÉS NIGÉRIANES. ["eprint_fieldopt_thesis_type_phd" not defined] thesis, Covenant University, Ota.

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Abstract

Vocabulary acquisition and use are major aspects of foreign language learning. The growth of a learner’s vocabulary depends on his/her ability to acquire new words and phrases. The size of a lexical repertoire thus varies from one individual to another. This study, therefore, examined strategies of vocabulary acquisition among undergraduates learning French as a foreign language in Nigerian universities. A survey descriptive design was adopted for this study. The sample size is made up of 239 students and 25 lecturers randomly selected from a sample frame obtained from the French Language Village, an inter-university centre at Badagry, Lagos State and some universities in Nigeria. Three instruments were used in data collection: Vocabulary Acquisition Strategies Rating Scales (VASRS), Cloze test (vocabulary test) and an interview guide. Items on VASRS were based on Gu and Johnson’s (2003) strategies. Cloze test was used to measure learners’ knowledge of words in different contexts. Four research questions were raised and answered. The findings revealed that six strategies are adopted by learners in acquiring French vocabulary in Nigerian universities. Learners use two or more strategies at the same time. The inferencing/guessing strategies were used by 94.2% of the informants, note-taking strategies by 72.9%, dictionary strategies by 68.4%, activation strategies by 65.8%, retrieval/rehearsal strategies by 64.9% and encoding strategies by 55.6% of the informants. The findings equally revealed that teachers’ attitude and rewards in the form of praise, etc motivate students to acquire French language vocabulary. Among the factors facilitating the acquisition of French vocabulary by students were teachers’ prior knowledge of students’ level of vocabulary before teaching, which was reported by 244 (98.78%) of the informants, keeping glossaries/lists of words indicated by 236 (95.54%) of the participants. 212 (85.82%) informants indicated the ability of the students to discuss vocabulary acquisition outside classroom activities. 208 (84.21%) of the participants cited ability of students to guess the meaning of French vocabulary as a factor facilitating vocabulary acquisition. Students’ drive to communicate in French was indicated by 216 (87.45%) as a factor that facilitates acquisition of French vocabulary; other factors identified were willingness to make mistakes indicated by 188 (76.11%) and using any opportunity to acquire vocabulary indicated by 168 (68.02%). The findings revealed a significant difference between students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the problems students confront in the acquisition of French vocabulary in Nigerian universities. While students cited the learning of grammar and lack of French speakers on campus as well as in the community at large with whom to communicate as problems, lecturers cited crowded timetable and the scarcity of opportunities for students to interact with other French speakers outside the classroom. It was concluded that supporting students in their attempt to acquire French vocabulary should be an important instructional goal throughout the curriculum. It was recommended among others that immersion of students should be done in either French-speaking countries in Africa or in France supplemented by frequent visits/excursions and other short programmes. The government, it is suggested, should also be responsible for part of the expenses

Item Type:	Thesis (["eprint_fieldopt_thesis_type_phd" not defined])
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
Divisions:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Humanities
Depositing User:	Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	22 Jan 2015 14:40
Last Modified:	22 Jan 2015 14:40
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/3379

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