The Effect of Advertisements on Improving Turkish Young EFL Learners’ L2 Vocabulary Learning

Abstract

Vocabulary is at the heart of English language teaching/learning process, because without adequate vocabulary learners cannot understand others or convey their own ideas. Beck et al. (2002, p.15) provided a research based conclusion in this regard: “All the available evidence indicates that there is little emphasis on the acquisition of vocabulary in school curricula.†Thus this study tried to investigate the effect of ads on improving L2 vocabulary learning. Sixty female learners participated in this quasi-experimental research which lasted 18 sessions. Before starting the program the researcher administered a language proficiency test for controlling the proficiency level of the participants. Afterwards one pre-test on their word knowledge has been administered and at the end of the study one post-test was taken. The results provided powerful support for the positive effects of ads on L2 vocabulary learning. This would be due to the role of authentic materials in learning, since these materials are provided for native users and for real purposes.