The Influence of Formal Language Learning Environment on Vocabulary Learning Strategies

This study investigates ESL students studying in the program Teaching English as a Second Language in Universiti Putra Malaysia. This investigation attempts to understand the influence of a formal language learning environment (classroom, teachers, and peers) on vocabulary learning strategies. This study describes how school environments as well as mediating agents interfere in vocabulary learning strategies of ESL students or support them. This research adopts the qualitative method. The researcher gathered data through in depth interviews and used open coding as well as constant comparative methods to analyze the data. The findings suggest that teaching methods, the level of encouragement students received, peers’ negative and positive behaviors, classroom’s activity and textbooks were significant factors that generally effected the learners’ choice of vocabulary learning strategies in school.