Empirical Study of Key-word Method for English Vocabulary Learning and Retention

The key-word method associates the keyword with the target word,and creates a mental picture in which the keyword and the target word are associated.The present study intends to explore the effect of key-word method on English vocabulary learning for Chinese-learners.With 64 Grade 6 elementary school students as subjects,the experiment investigates the effectiveness of key-word method in English vocabulary learning and retention as opposed to the method of learning words in context and Chinese translation.The experiment results showthat the key-word method is significantly better in giving-Chinese-definition task in delayed test,but not in immediate test.In terms of spelling task,there is no significant difference between the two methods either in immediate or delayed test.