Abstract

Vocabulary is one of the key elements of language. The depth and width of vocabulary has an important effect on communicative ability of language learners. In China, vocabulary still puzzles a lot of secondary school students due to the current situation of English teaching in secondary schools and the poor learning methods students use. In recent years, with the development of computer and popularize of smart phones, the increasing number of students start to using CALL programs and smart phone APPs which enable them to do a better job in vocabulary learning and retention. This thesis tries to construct theoretical basis of CALL and vocabulary learning, analyses the result of vocabulary memorize experiment on the secondary school students, finally, concludes the impacts of CALL programs and smart phone applications. Furthermore, the thesis will provide some suggestions to vocabulary teaching and learning in secondary schools.

Keywords: vocabulary learning, secondary school, CALL program, smart phone application.

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Backgrounds-1

1.2 Purpose and significance-2

2. Literature review-3

2.1 Vocabulary learning-3

2.2 Vocabulary teaching and learning in secondary schools-3

2.2.1 Vocabulary teaching in secondary schools-3

2.2.2 Vocabulary learning in secondary schools-4

2.3 CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning)-5

2.4 CALL vocabulary programs and smart phone APPs-6

2.4.1 CALL vocabulary programs-6

2.4.2 Smart phone APPs-7

2.4.3 Comparison and evaluation-7

3. Methodology-11

3.1 Participants-11

3.2 Instruments-11

3.3 Procedures-11

3.3.1 Experimental group-11

3.3.2 Control-13

3.4 Interview-13

4. Results and Analysis-15

4.1 Interpretation of results-15

4.1.1 Experiment-15

4.1.2 Interview-16

4.2 Impacts on the students-16

5. Conclusion-17

References-18