NON-ENGLISH MAJOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF DIFFICULTIES IN MEMORIZING ENGLISH VOCABULARY

Abstract

In the context of increasing global use of English for academic and professional purposes, vocabulary knowledge plays a crucial role in language learning. However, memorizing and retaining English vocabulary remains a major challenge for non-English major university students. This study investigates students’ perceptions of difficulties in vocabulary memorization and the factors affecting their retention. A quantitative approach was employed, using a questionnaire administered to 81 undergraduate non-English major students enrolled in General English courses at Can Tho University (CTU), Vietnam. The findings reveal that students commonly struggle with remembering word meanings, pronunciation, spelling, and appropriate usage. Key contributing factors include ineffective learning strategies, limited practice opportunities, and the large volume of vocabulary. The study also highlights students’ reliance on basic memorization techniques and their need for more effective learning strategies. Based on these findings, several pedagogical implications are proposed to enhance vocabulary learning and retention among non-English major students.