Vocabulary Levels of the First Year Students of the UNP College of Social Work

Abstract

This study endeavored to determine the vocabulary levels of the first year students of the College of Social Work of the University of Northern Philippines. Data was gathered using a Vocabulary Level Test for Learners of English as a Second Language. The test was divided into five levels the 2,000 Word Level, 3,000 Word Level, 5,000 Word Level, University Word Level, and 10,000 Word Level. Each test gave one mark for each correct matching of a word and its definition. Although only 18 words are matched at each level, infact 36 words at that level are tested. This is because the distractors in the test are not meanings but words. The learners'scores on a level represent the proportion of the words kow at that level. Results ofthe Vocabulary Level Test showed that the students got a Good rating in the 2,000 Word Level, Good in the 3,000 ord Level, Fair in the 5,000 Word Level, Fair in the University Word Level and Poor in the 10,000 Word Level. This means that the freshman BSSstudents of UNP need help in the University Word Level and 10,000 Word Level. An English Vocabulary Program for BSSstudents should be developed and validatedfor use. English Professors or Communication Arts teachers as well as content/professional subject teachers should conduct similar studies to determine the vocabulary levels and needs of their students.