The Effectiveness of Corpus-Based Approach on Vocabulary Learning Gains and Retention in Saudi Tertiary EFL Context

Abstract

Corpus Linguistics has been noted to be a trendy approach in language research in the last few decades as it is closely related to technological advancements. The rising number of available online corpora and the advanced concordancing software have been urging and boosting researches on potentials and uses of corpora in language analysis and teaching. In this study the researcher tried to fill in the gap apparent in the Saudi EFL context of poor or lack of corpora use. Therefore, the researcher has investigated the effect size of using corpus-based approach on vocabulary gains and retention. He has employed quasi – experimental study to thoroughly investigate the study questions. A diagnostic pre-test, posttest and delayed posttests have been employed with both groups, the control which has been taught using conventional approach and the experimental which has been taught using corpus-based approach. At the end of the treatment test scores for both groups have been statistically analyzed to find out the differences. The results of posttests and delayed posttests showed a statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group, which indicated the effectiveness of using corpus-based approach on vocabulary gains and retention rates. Consequently, the researcher has recommended integrating corpus pre-service and in-service training for EFL teachers. He has also suggested enhancing friendly user interfaces for available corpora to be easily accessed and used by teachers and learners. Finally, combining conventional tools alongside with corpus-based method is recommended in some instances to meet some emerging challenges with corpora use.