Data-driven Learning And Learner Autonomy In College English Vocabulary Learning: An Empirical Study

Vocabulary learning, which is the essential part of language learning, has drawnmuch attention of English learners. However, it has been one of the weakest points incollege English learning. For a long time, the traditional vocabulary learning method,definition-based learning method, has been applied in vocabulary teaching, whichtypically involves memorizing brief definitions representing only one of the shades ofmeaning, but it leads to the low efficiency and a shallow level of word knowledge at thesame time.With the development of corpus linguistics, the corpus-based approach has beenapplied in language teaching by language teachers and researches. In order to solve theproblems of vocabulary learning mentioned above, the author applied DDL (Data-drivenLearning) method, combined with learner autonomy, to vocabulary teaching and learningwith the aim to find out that whether it has advantage over traditional method.In the first place, the current situation of vocabulary learning in college English isanalyzed. The significance of vocabulary in language learning, the requirements forvocabulary presented by College English Curriculum Requirements and the problems inpresent vocabulary teaching and learning call for the attempt to change the method ofvocabulary teaching and learning.Secondly, the development of corpus linguistic has paved the way for research ofvocabulary learning. The DDL method, which is based on corpus linguistics, supplieslanguage learners abundant authentic materials and the opportunity to discover the usageof language mainly by themselves. It has its theoretical basis, such as SLA (SecondLanguage Acquisition) theory, constructivism learning theory and learner autonomy.Thirdly, based on the need of improving vocabulary learning and the significance ofDDL method, a study was carried out in Hefei Normal University to test that whetherDDL method has advantage over traditional method in vocabulary learning.80non-English majors with equal level of English proficiency adopted the two methods tolearn the same target words. After the experiment, a post-test and questionnaire wereconducted. The results of the tests show that the students perform better with the wordslearned in DDL. Therefore, it can be concluded that, DDL method has advantage over traditional method. With DDL, students could not only remember more words, but alsolearn them in a deep way. The results of the questionnaire show that DDL method sets agood example of autonomous learning, which enhance their learning ability.Lastly, besides the effects of DDL method, the limitations are also revealed and thesuggestions for further study are presented.