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The Effects of Pictures on Learning Vocabulary

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The Effects of Pictures on Learning Vocabulary
The Effects of Pictures on Learning Vocabulary
Hossein Maskani
Hakim Sabzevari University

Abstract
This research explored the effects of pictures on learning new vocabularies. Learning vocabulary is one of the most important components of any languages and we attempted to represent a way to learn new words more effectively and easily. This study compared the learning words through pictures and paired with translated equivalents. Our experiment on learning and recalling English words shows that there are differences between learning words through pictures and translated equivalents. The subjects recalled the words through pictures easily and faster than words paired with printed translations and they recalled the words by mental image had in their minds. Generally pictures facilitate learning foreign vocabularies and subjects are overconfident in the power of pictures to help them learn new words. Base on the experiment which applied to some learners and it will explain at the end of article, we can compare this two learning method and to answer to many questions you had in your minds.

The Effects of Pictures on Learning Vocabulary "If language structure make up the skeleton of language, then it is vocabulary that provides the vital organs and the flesh." (Hamer, 1995, p. 153). Vocabulary teaching is one of the most important components of any language class. The predominant reason for this is that teaching vocabulary is a means that convey meaning (Joklova, 2009). Recently teaching methods focused on vocabulary because of "the development of new approaches to language teaching, which are much more 'word-centred'." ( Thornbury, 2004, p. 6). Thornbury (2004) listed several techniques to follow to make vocabulary teaching more effective, including: repetition, personalizing, motivation, and visualizing pictures for new words. He explained that to visualize a picture for a new word is to link an abstract word with some mental image. Teaching vocabulary paired



References: Carpenter, S. K., Olson, K. M. (2011). Are pictures good for learning new vocabulary in a foreign language?. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 1, 1-10. Joklova, K. (2009). Using pictures in teaching vocabulary. Faculty of Education, 1, 1-53. Cohen, M. (2009). The effectiveness of imagery interventions on the vocabulary learning of second grade students Jones, L. (2004). Testing L2 vocabulary recognition and recall using pictorial and written test item. Language Learning & Technology, 8, 1-5 Craik, F Finn, B., & Metcalfe, J. (2007). The role of memory for past test in the underconfidence with practice effect Koriat, A., Sheffer, L., & Ma’ayan, H. (2002). Comparing objective and subjective learning curves: Judgments of learning exhibit increased Potter, M. C., & Faulconer, B. A. (1975, February 6). Time to understand pictures and words Paivio, A., Rogers, T. B., & Smythe, P. C. (1968). Why are pictures easier to recall than words? Psychonomic Science, 11, 137–138. Paivio, A., & Csapo, K. (1973). Picture superiority in free recall: Imagery or dual coding? Cognitive Psychology, 5, 176–206 Paivio, A. (1976). Imagery in recall and recognition. In J. Brown (Ed.), Recall and recognition (pp Nelson, D. L., Reed, V. S., & McEvoy, C. L. (1977). Learning to order pictures and words: A model of sensory and semantic encoding

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