EFFECTS OF USING SEMANTIC MAPPING ON ESP VOCABULARY RETENTION OF THE STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY –THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The study was an action research in which semantic mapping was applied as a technique in learning English for Specific Purposes vocabulary. The study aimed at evaluating the improvement of students’ vocabulary retention after using semantic mapping and collecting students’ attitudes towards this technique. The data collection instruments included a semi-structured group interview, Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (VKS) tests considered as two progress tests and a final test, and a questionnaire. The results from the tests proved the effectiveness of using semantic mapping in both short-term and long-term vocabulary retention. The students’ positive attitudes towards semantic mapping and their suggestions show that semantic mapping could be applied in a bigger scale.