An Investigation into the Role of You Tube Videos as a Pedagogical Tool in Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition

Abstract

Abstract Vocabulary mastery is a big challenge in the foreign learning process. It is viewed as a complex task for both teachers and learners. In fact, the majority of English foreign language learners (EFL) face difficulties in acquiring vocabulary. These difficulties could be due to their vocabulary store shortage. Therefore, acquiring vocabulary has become a topic worth to researching by many researchers in the field since their contributions can help EFL learners develop their vocabulary storage. In the meantime, this allows them to become competent and proficient in the target language. On this point, the present study attempted to investigate the role of adopting an educational innovative technique, You Tube videos, as an active teaching/learning strategy to enhance EFL learners’ vocabulary acquisition. Furthermore, the present work sought to increase EFL learners’ motivation for positive interaction between teachers and their students, as well as, between students and their classmates. Likewise, it looked for a better quality of learning and teaching of English language. Thus, the hypotheses suggested to examine this study set out that educational You Tube videos can help EFL students to develop their vocabulary proficiency. In order to check and test the hypothesis, a number of videos were used in the treatment sessions. The latter aimed to enhance vocabulary acquisition of a sample of third Year students. Methodologically, a Mixed-methods Approach was adopted in this study. In relevance to this approach, two data collection methods were used to investigate EFL learners’ attitudes and perceptions towards the use YouTube videos. These tools included a test and a questionnaire. After the interpretation of the collected data, through the used data analysis, the findings revealed that the educational Youtube videos could help students to enhance their vocabulary. Although, it was found that the stated hypotheses had been disconfirmed. Such an ultimate result is natural in research. We believe a replication of this study in another study could realize why we have had attained this result.