An Investigation of the English Vocabulary Knowledge of Lower Secondary Students: A Case Study of a Malaysian School

Abstract

This preliminary study aimed to investigate the vocabulary level of lower secondary students in Kedah, specifically in a school located at a sub-urban area. The purpose was to gather the base data for a study on the effectiveness of using audio-visual materials in enhancing students’ vocabulary.  In this preliminary study, quantitative approach was employed to identify the vocabulary level of the secondary school students.  The samples consisted of 30 Form 1 students from a sub-urban school in Kepala Batas, Kedah, Malaysia. A vocabulary checklist was used to identify their knowledge of vocabulary and a vocabulary test was used to identify their vocabulary levels. The finding of this study shows that the students are at intermediate level on vocabulary knowledge. Based on this finding, the researcher will be able to conduct a suitable activity according to the students’ vocabulary knowledge for the study on the effectiveness of using audio-visual materials in enhancing students’ vocabulary.