The Effect Of Mind Map Strategy On Vocabulary Learning In Junior High School

Vocabulary learning is of great importance to English learning.As vocabulary is the building block of a language,acquiring vocabulary well is necessary for EFL learners.In addition,the standard of having a good command of vocabulary is related to the nature of vocabulary knowledge,which includes components like the form,function,position and meaning of words.Learning vocabulary not only means enlarge one’s breadth of vocabulary,but also develop one’s depth of vocabulary.In junior high school,as there is a big leap in the requirements of mastering the number of words in class,students are troubled with how to learn words more effectively.Mind map,on the other hand,is an effective thinking tool which helps to organize one ’ s mind into networks.It requires the accumulation and arrangement of the existing knowledge and develops the logical and organization skills.As words also can be learned in networks,it is necessary to research on mind map strategy on vocabulary learning of junior high school students.Ten-week action research was designed and carried out to research on following questions: 1)To what extent,can the mind map strategy influence junior high school students’ vocabulary learning? 2)What kind of mind map types are more effective? 3)How can teachers help students to make good use of mind map strategy?Participates are from two classes in Grade One in a public junior high school in Hangzhou.The selected two classes were taught by the same teacher and their English scores are close to each other.One class is as the experiment class,the other one is control class.Questionnaires,vocabulary tests,mind map observations and interview were research instruments.Before the implementation of mind map strategy,pre-questionnaires and pre-vocabulary test were delivered.Then,a mind map strategy introduction brochure was designed and handed out to students to learn the strategy.After the implementation of mind map strategy,postquestionnaires and post-vocabulary test were delivered.The data analysis presented that mind map strategy has positive effect on junior high school students’ vocabulary learning.Efficient mind maps are organized by the understanding of center topic and drawn in a tidy way with center images,arrows,more sub-topics and more nodes.As for the guidance,teachers need to stimulate students’ intrinsic motivation,introduce the mind map strategy with clear instruction step by step,give timely feedback,develop overall understanding of vocabulary knowledge and have a good time management.