The effect of using ZPD technique for promoting Iraqi EFL students of vocabulary acquisition

الملخص EN

-This study aims at investigating the effect of using ZPD technique (zone of proximal development) for promoting Iraqi EFL Students` in Vocabulary Acquisition.

To achieve the aim of the present study, the following hypothesis has been used: There is no statistically significant differences at (á≤0.05) between the mean scores of the experimental group who was taught vocabulary acquisition according to ZPD technique and that of the control group who was taught according to the traditional way in the post test in vocabulary acquisition.

The present study is limited to the 5 th preparatory female students in Al-Adnaniya secondary school for girls in Baqubba City for the academic year 2016-2017.

The sample of this study consistes of 40 students as the experimental group and 41 as the control group.

Then, it is ensured that the two groups are equal through a statistical manipulation of a number of variables such as age, parents’ education, achievement scores in English in the previous year, and achievement scores on the pretest.

pre& post are designed , and the validity of the tests and the lesson plans have been obtained by exposing them to jury members in the fields of EFL and linguistics.

The reliability of the test has been secured by using Kuder Richardson-20 formula (0.87).

Statistical analysis of data achieved through the test indicates that there were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the two groups in favour of the experimental group in the post test.

The researcher concludes that using the ZPD technique (henceforth ZPDT) is proven to be more fruitful and effective in promoting the students’ storage and retention of vocabulary and to give the students more opportunities than those in the textbook to store and retain or retrieve easily what has been taught or learned.

The researcher suggests using this technique for other stages and other subjects.