http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/profile.v17n1.

41632

Training in Metacognitive Strategies for Students’

Vocabulary Improvement by Using Learning Journals

Entrenamiento de estrategias metacognitivas

para mejorar vocabulario a través de diarios de aprendizaje

Itala Diaz*1
Universidad de Córdoba, Montería, Colombia

This study examined the effects of metacognitive strategies to help beginning young learners with diffi-
culties increasing and retaining vocabulary. This was a qualitative study in which participants first went
through metacognitive strategy instruction to provide awareness of learning strategies. Following this
instruction, students underwent a set of five interventions based on the cognitive academic language
learning approach instructional model. These interventions, together with journaling progress, were
used to train them in the use of the metacognitive strategies planning, monitoring, and evaluating. The
findings showed that metacognitive strategy training has positively contributed to vocabulary acquisi-
tion skills, as participants were able to raise consciousness about some learning strategies and the use of
metacognitive strategies to increase their vocabulary learning.

Key words: Evaluating, language learning strategy training, metacognition, metacognitive strategies,
monitoring, planning, vocabulary.

Este estudio examinó el efecto de las estrategias metacognitivas para ayudar a estudiantes con
dificultades para aumentar y retener vocabulario en inglés. Este fue un estudio cualitativo, en el cual
se instruyó en el uso de estrategias metacognitivas proporcionando el conocimiento de estrategias de
aprendizaje. Luego, se aplicó un conjunto de cinco intervenciones basadas en el método académico
cognitivo para la enseñanza de lenguas. Estas intervenciones, junto con el uso de diarios, se utilizaron
para entrenarlos en el uso de estrategias metacognitivas. Los resultados mostraron que el entrenamiento
de estrategias metacognitivas ha contribuido positivamente en la adquisición de vocabulario, ya que los
participantes fueron capaces de propiciar el conocimiento acerca de algunas estrategias de aprendizaje
y el uso de estrategias metacognitivas para aumentar su aprendizaje de vocabulario.

Palabras clave: entrenamiento en estrategias para el aprendizaje de lengua, estrategias metacognitivas,

evaluar, metacognición, monitorear, planear, vocabulario.

* E-mail: [email protected]
How to cite this article (APA, 6th ed.): Diaz, I. (2015). Training in metacognitive strategies for students’ vocabulary improvement by using
learning journals. PROFILE Issues in Teachers’ Professional Development, 17(1), 87-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/profile.v17n1.41632.

This article was received on January 18, 2014, and accepted on October 20, 2014.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons license Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
4.0 International License. Consultation is possible at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

PROFILE Vol. 17, No. 1, January-June 2015. ISSN 1657-0790 (printed) 2256-5760 (online). Bogotá, Colombia. Pages 87-102 87
Diaz

Introduction journals in the students’ ability to improve their

There is a belief that the effectiveness for incor- vocabulary retention.
porating learning strategies to support students’
classroom goals can be fostered by providing learners Context
with training and practice in learning strategies. The English Language Center at Universidad
These strategies are considered as “actions taken de Córdoba is a public institution for teaching and
by students to make learning easier, more effective, learning different languages in Montería, Colombia.
and more self-directed and more transferable to This institution helps students who want to receive
new situations” (Oxford, 1990, p. 8). Applying these instruction in foreign languages, especially in
actions encourages participants’ knowledge on how English. It offers different language levels according to
they learn new vocabulary and find meaning in students’ ages. Classes are held every Saturday from
the language developed in class. In regard to these 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Center’s English teaching
actions, Flavell (1979) refers to this process as building philosophy is based on providing opportunities for
students’ knowledge of the operations through which students to experience real communication as they
they achieve effective learning. Therefore, this study undertake their learning.
examines the strategy training in vocabulary learning
in participants who are A1 level according to the Participants
Common European Framework (CEFR) and who Participants in the study were third, fourth,
also have difficulties retaining vocabulary. Having and fifth grade students whose ages ranged from
noticed their lack of vocabulary through a needs 8 to 10, with a total of six girls and four boys. Their
analysis and their failed efforts at communication in socioeconomic status was middle class and their
most of the class, the teacher wants to see whether English level is A1 as established by the CEFR. They
their training in metacognitive strategies results in were chosen for the study because they were having
more effective vocabulary learning. Consequently, difficulties in class conversations, as they did not
training students in these procedural strategies help manage the necessary vocabulary to express or clarify
them gather and exploit tools that help with managing their communication purposes.
their language learning process. With this in mind, In addition, to confirm the above information a
training learners in metacognitive strategies such as needs analysis was carried out in the participant’s first
planning, monitoring, and evaluating is considered language. It was found that 45% of them think that
as one way of improving their vocabulary acquisition they possess a good range of vocabulary and 60% said
by enabling them to manage techniques to control, they never set objectives for learning new vocabulary.
supervise, and regulate their learning process (Rubin, It was also noticed that they were not aware of learning
1981). That is to say, if learners can be made aware of strategies even though they did in fact use them. As
their own learning strategies, they may develop tools a result of this analysis, an additional finding was
that will serve them well into the future by helping that students struggle to learn new words and do not
them monitor their cognitive and linguistic processes reflect on the process they undergo while learning.
in their own vocabulary learning.
Considering this as the main variable of this Researcher’s Role
study, this research project studies the effect of The teacher and the researcher were the same
metacognitive strategy training using learning person during this study. The teacher’s primary role

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 Training in Metacognitive Strategies for Students’ Vocabulary Improvement by Using Learning Journals

was that of an observer and that of the researcher similar situations. In this way, metacognition is like the
identifying the classroom difficulty that needed enabling process of vocabulary learning, incorporating
to be improved in everyday classroom practices, strategy training to predetermine and decide upon
framing the research question for this study. This role what is necessary to achieve learning purposes and
then transitioned into one of a designer and driver, vocabulary goals. In addition to this idea, important
designing the research plan, interventions, and all research has established that metacognition is the
the data collection instruments; after that, a trainer engine that drives self-directed learning. According to
and a facilitator, in which she guided participants Knowles (1975), self-directed learning:
throughout the process, managing, analyzing, Is that process in which individuals take the initiative, with or
and supporting the participants’ training. Finally, without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs,
reporting events and data from the process, following formulating learning goals, identifying human and material
high ethical standards that cemented the purpose of resources for learning, choosing and implementing learning
this research. strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes. (p. 18)

Theoretical Framework If metacognition is a way of fostering learner

This study is based on the framework of training knowledge about the thinking process, metacognitive
learners in metacognitive strategies (MTS), which strategies are then a way of developing that knowledge.
include planning, monitoring, and evaluating in order The deployment of several activities and ways of
to foster vocabulary learning. Therefore, the following approaching task goals can certainly be viewed
review will outline a significant perspective that as strategies to fulfill learning goals. According to
addresses the use of MTS in classroom practices. The O’Malley and Chamot (1990), in establishing the
subsequent review covers metacognitive strategies, learning strategies as sets of actions in which students
language learning, strategy training, vocabulary feed their own learning, learning strategies contribute
learning, and journal study. to the improvement of students’ learning process.
Anderson (2002) states, “the use of metacognitive
Metacognitive Strategies (MTS) strategies activates one’s thinking and leads to
Recently, educational entities have paid improved performance in learning in general” (p. 3).
importance to strengthening metacognition to This means that learners, who use these techniques,
support and regulate students learning to prepare have advantages in understanding their own role
themselves with the skills at signifying and organizing in learning since they are aware of different ways of
beliefs about their own knowledge. For this process, approaching learning goals. Similarly, Rubin (1987)
researchers have defined the concept of metacognition. states, MTS are “management steps or operations by
Cross and Paris (1988) conceived metacognition as which learners control and manage their learning or
“the knowledge and control children have over their problem-solving process via planning, monitoring,
own thinking and learning activities” (p. 131). In short, evaluating, and modifying their learning approaches”
participants are aware of the particular cognitive (p. 23). That is to say, using MTS can make participant-
strategies and the way to move toward given tasks, not directed learning possible by establishing the new
only for the learning of vocabulary but for any kind of thought processes to achieve learning tasks on their
learning action so that they will be able to come across own, while simultaneously causing them to reflect on
and extend those strategies and knowledge into new or their performance.

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Diaz

For the purposes of this study, metacognitive different ways of representing expository texts,
strategies are considered as a way of providing becoming more aware while they were reading, and
participants with more opportunities for reasoning figuring out the vocabulary in the texts (Boulware-
out their own process of learning. Engaging with the Gooden, Carreker, Thornhill, & Joshi, 2007).
subject matter and using these methods encourage
them to assume responsibilities and logical Language Learning Strategy Training
understanding of their own cognitive processes. In Oxford (1990) defines learning strategies as
essence, O’Malley and Chamot (1990) define three “operations employed by the learner to aid in the
steps to use as strategies when developing a task. First, acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of information”
plan for the task, which gets participants engaged (p. 8). That is to say, learning strategies are defined as
with the material as they set out task goals. Next, the way learners learn and recall information. This
monitoring the task allows participants to examine, definition is expanded to what Nunan (1999) states by
regulate, and manage their comprehension as they calling them “the mental and communicative process
progress during the task. The final step is evaluation, that learners deploy to learn a second language” (p.
where participants self-evaluate the process they 55). In other words, students’ learning strategies can
underwent and how they developed the task. The influence the success of their language learning.
outcome is that participants learn to evaluate their “Their active use of strategies helps them attain higher
own learning process while simultaneously becoming proficiency” (p. 60). That is to say, learning strategies
familiar with journaling and more self-direction. The are the individual actions that learners take to succeed
goal is for participants to internalize strategies that in a language learning task or improve their target
can become habitual and later skills for learning and language proficiency. A study by Lam (2010) about
retaining new vocabulary in a more self-directed way. metacognitive training establishes an important point
To shed light over a broader view Martinez (2006) to the root of this study as the strategy instruction
states that recent research suggests that metacognition should begin with helping students to become
improves with adequate instruction, providing aware of knowing about the strategies and which
convincing evidence that supports its importance in strategies they are already using because it may result
the instruction and learning process. in turning students’ attention away from non-task
Additionally, Martinez (2006) implies that specific strategies towards task-specific strategies,
whether or not the process of developing meta- matching them with the type of task. In that way,
cognition is adequately initiated, it benefits the raising students’ awareness in trying more types of
learning process as it is supported. This is linked to strategies, broadening the spectrum of learners’ pre-
the purpose of this study since participants can start existing non-target and task-specific strategies in
the reasoning of their own process of learning. In the future contexts. This situation supports this study in
same light, a study on third graders found out that providing A1 learners with training in metacognitive
the metacognitive instruction significantly improved strategies to know about the strategies they have at
their academic achievement. Their improvement is hand and to alert their use for upcoming settings.
reflected in the domains of reading comprehension Similarly, a report by Chamot (2005) in the field of
and vocabulary, as the systematic instruction of these language learning strategy training states: “Strategy
strategies led to positive effects in understanding instruction should be explicit, that is, that the
written texts. This effect could be observed through teacher should inform students about the value and

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 Training in Metacognitive Strategies for Students’ Vocabulary Improvement by Using Learning Journals

applications of the strategies” (p. 23). It brings light to applying what students have learned to their own lives
this study as the language instruction for participants (Chamot, 2009). In conclusion, by implementing this
is approached early on through MTS training based learning strategy training, participants were provided
on the learning task, their instructional model, and with the opportunity to develop habitual procedures
students’ needs. for enhancing learning strategies and promoting
In addition, as Rubin (2005) and Chamot (2009) students’ awareness of their own learning processes.
have stated, good language learners have an array of
learning strategies to call on, to select, and employ Vocabulary
when necessary. This is the main reason why the use Vocabulary is the foundation on which a language
of learning strategies is important to this study, as is taught. Vocabulary is “the knowledge of the
students undertake the strategy training. It is possible meanings of words” (Herbert & Kamil, 2005, p. 3). In
that they may succeed in learning a second language other words, it can be said that vocabulary constitutes
due to the correct application of these strategies that information coded in language meaning. There are
make learning more manageable. Moreover, Chamot two different manners of conveying information
(2005) states: “Once a learning strategy becomes through language: oral and written. According to
familiar through repeated use, it may be used with Herbert and Kamil (2005):
some automaticity” (p. 112). In other words, once The two forms that envision vocabulary are the oral and the
students have a certain amount of experience in using imprint form, in which oral represents the receptive skill that
and applying learning language strategies, they may allows learners to understand or recognize the words, and the
develop the ability to automatically tap into their productive skill which allows students to write or speak using
learning process. different vocabulary. (p. 14)
By following the Chamot and O’Malley (1994)
instructional method, referred to as the cognitive Oral vocabulary is the set of words in which a
academic language learning approach (CALLA), we person knows the meaning when speaking or reading
can say the purpose of this study was to build a useful aloud. Written vocabulary is a set of word meanings
framework for direct language learning strategy encoding information that is meant to be written or
instruction, in which the instruction was based on read silently. Vocabulary, then, refers to well-known
a five-phase recurrent cycle. This cycle included an words that are used and recognized frequently by a
introductory phase to explain the importance of person. For this reason, vocabulary is important in
metacognitive learning strategies; a teaching phase to the English language teaching (ELT) process because
present or model the learning strategies; a practicing it seeks to engage a successful language learner who
phase to offer opportunities to let students practice is able to recognize and produce communicative
the learning strategies with the learning task; an functions. Hence, the learner’s vocabulary acquisition
evaluating phase to use the learners’ journals and is seen as “learning words, learning phrases and
have students reflect on their own learning and chunks” (Cameron, 2001, p. 72). In oral and written
evaluate their vocabulary learning; and lastly, a phase form, vocabular y acquisition helps improve
for the application of learning strategies to allow spontaneous communication in class, supporting
students to reflect, become aware of strengths and the teaching and learning of other language skills,
weaknesses, and participate actively in their learning such as listening, writing, reading, and speaking
process. Finally, an expansion phase is defined as (Chengqian, 2009). Consequently, the improvement

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Diaz

of vocabulary acquisition skills also has other one of the instruments used to collect qualitative
language skills benefits, providing a foundation for information in order to find data documenting patterns
a different area of language learning that engages the and events that emerged during the analysis. It was kept
target language. For this reason, vocabulary learning during each lesson after participants completed their
is conceived through metacognitive instruction by activities and then registered their own perceptions about
training the learner in the use of MTS turning his/her the lesson development. Participants were expected
preexisting abilities into deploying different ways of to write ideas about lesson events and experiences
figuring out conceptual understanding and creating while using learning strategies to describe his/her task
deeper understanding of a word rather that applying performance. Journals were then the primary source to
traditional ways as memorizing or translating. Lam’s find out about students’ engagement in using the task-
(2010) study on third graders accounts for this based strategies. This is further supported by Chamot’s
decision as it shows evidence regarding metacognitive (2005) report manifesting that language learning
instruction for the learning of vocabulary. It actively strategies are identified through self-report, since it is
engages students in the process of creating meaning the only way to identify a leaner’s mental processing.
through task-based strategies. A research study on self-access learning manifests
The importance of vocabulary in the performance significance for students’ capacity in making decisions
of language learners is also the focus of several and evaluations, developing reflectivity and awareness of
researchers who have worked on different cognitive their own learning processes (Herrera Díaz, 2012). This
strategies for teaching vocabulary. Herman and Dole idea complements the purpose of using journals since it
(1988) consider that when vocabulary teaching is is to have a space to place all that reflective knowledge.
started early and individually trained, it might help the In the same way we can say teacher’s notes play
learning of other skills, mainly reading and listening. a very important role in this study, since they help to
For this reason, providing students with ways of record entries from the teacher observations at each
improving their vocabulary storage, recognizing their intervention. A study from Lopera Medina (2013)
learning strategies to be able to draw meaning and concludes that the use of teacher’s journal in a study
understanding the target language equips participants not only served as a useful and objective tool to gather
with learning alternatives for new settings. information, but also to cement information from
other instruments as they are confronted. This study
Journal Study also conveyed a teacher journal on students’ language
A journal is a report of data that is recorded from processes, keeping track of each student’s anecdotes
introspection to describe studies on one’s teaching and of what learners do, understand, and misunderstand
learning practice where the journalers’ perceptions are in class and giving accounts from the whole process.
also included. According to Bailey and Oschner (1983), This further supports the purpose of this study.
a journal study is “an account of a second experience
as recorded in a first-person journal” (p. 189). In Method
other words, journals were the instruments to record
experiences from participants’ introspection as well as Type of Study
the means for the learners to describe the teaching and This study is based on a descriptive-qualitative
learning process. During the period of implementation, analysis. Nunan and Bailey (2009) define this type of
journals proved to be of great value because they were study as a systematic, interactive process of identifying

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 Training in Metacognitive Strategies for Students’ Vocabulary Improvement by Using Learning Journals

an issue, problem, or puzzle to identify in any context. different insights from participants and to elicit
Through this frame, the teacher can inquire her/ information for the further data analysis.
his own classroom practice in ELT reflecting on the
puzzle observed and intending to improve it in order Questionnaire (Needs Analysis)
to significantly make more effective decisions about This data collection instrument was focused
teaching. on obtaining the basic and relevant information
The research plan is then carried out reflecting about the students’ possible lack of vocabulary as
on the whole process and the repeated cycle, allowing perceived by the teacher, needs, and knowledge about
this study to self-reflect on the training in improving metacognitive strategies for the research project
vocabulary learning via MTS. Based on this principle, (needs analysis). It was also previously piloted. Babbie
it could be determined whether or not MTS helped (2001) defines a questionnaire as “an instrument
A1 learners improve vocabulary learning skills specifically designed to elicit information useful
throughout the application of systematic procedures for analysis” (p. 239). The identification of needs
like planning, monitoring, and evaluating. Moreover, is a process of describing the “problems” of a target
Kemmis and McTaggart (1988) have pointed out population. It was applied to participants to evaluate
that when new thoughts are applied to educational students’ knowledge of MTS and lexical competence.
environments, these can be a means to improve
knowledge in the learning and teaching practices. Mind Map
This study included a descriptive-qualitative This elicitation tool was applied during the
analysis for interpreting participants’ awareness training to measure students’ knowledge of both
and perceptions. Consequently, participants were everyday vocabulary and the selected vocabulary
randomly assigned to the task for the purpose during the interventions, and to observe the
of collecting data in the strategy training during students’ improvement. Mind maps would also
the intervention period, and offered a subjective provide evidence of learning and serve as a way
description and explanation of the students’ for the participants to document their knowledge
performance (Kvale, 1996). transformation (Radix & Abdool, 2013). The mind
The research consisted of training students in MTS map was a concept map consisting of a diagram
(planning, monitoring, and evaluating), following to structure knowledge around a single concept,
Chamot and O’Malley’s instructional model (1994). determining students’ vocabulary range in everyday
Five interventions were also applied, developing routines.
activities intended to enable students to use and One mind map was applied at the pre-intervention
practice these strategies as well as their vocabulary stage to check participants’ knowledge on everyday
learning skills. vocabulary. A second mind map was then applied at
the end of the interventions, with students filling it
Data Collection out according to each intervention topic, to compare
In this study, the data were collected by using initial and final vocabulary knowledge.
different observational methods, including a
questionnaire, a mind map, student journals, and field Student Journals
notes. These instruments were selected according to Students were asked to keep a written record to
students’ age and language proficiency level to obtain register the process of metacognitive strategies and

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Diaz

vocabulary learning in their first language. According students’ needs in terms of lexical competence and
to Bailey and Oschner (1983), “a journal allows participants’ homogeneity in vocabulary learning.
participants to report on affective factors, language The implementation phase had to do with the
learning strategies, and their own perceptions, facets of strategy training. It lasted for a period of six weeks,
the language learning experience which are normally in which five hours were used on MTS training and 10
hidden or largely inaccessible to an external observer” hours on the application of activities designed to allow
(p. 189). As being this the tool to pique students’ the use of metacognitive strategies on vocabulary
reflection and introspection on the use of MTS, students learning.
were expected to report on their thoughts, perceptions
and ideas about applying learning strategies during the Training
lesson interventions. The reflection was over a process The researcher modeled strategies for learners
of five 60-minute lessons with a variety of activities to understand how to use vocabulary strategies. The
that allowed students to use learning strategies to learn strategies were associating, making sentences, using
vocabulary. Journals were also guided with a group of images, and so forth. After that, MTS were explained
seven open-ended questions and three closed-ended and detailed, covering the three components of:
ones within four sections (planning, monitoring, planning, monitoring, and evaluating, as stated by
evaluating, and vocabulary learning). That allowed Chamot and O’Malley (1994). Each intervention
students to bring up data and quality information included a lesson plan and students’ journal entries;
from their mental processing on planning, monitoring every lesson was designed and reported in teachers’
and evaluating to address the research question. field notes to record reflections about the study.
The lessons consisted of five stages in accordance
Field Notes with the CALLA model by Chamot and O’Malley
Field notes were used to register observations (1994), a useful framework for direct language
directed towards the teaching and learning process of learning strategies instruction:
participants, focusing on vocabulary and strategy use Preparation: This stage consisted of finding
during the intervention. This instrument was kept in a out what students knew about the topic through
digital format, recording data after each intervention. brainstorming concepts in relation to the suggested
The objective was to analyze the influence of strategy topic. Lesson objectives were explained and also
training in vocabulary learning. These field notes established by learners to approach the lesson, as well
included general accounts of what happened during as the new vocabulary to practice during the lesson.
each intervention, for the purpose of collecting data Presentation: During this stage, the new infor-
that might respond to the research question. mation was presented and explained by modeling
some language samples on how to use the new words,
Pedagogical Intervention making sure of the understanding of the learning
During the pre-implementation phase, a needs activity instructions.
analysis questionnaire was applied in Spanish Practice: The students worked on the different
to examine participants’ knowledge of MTS and activities such as gap fill in, brainstorming, associating,
techniques used for learning their vocabulary. In the and guessing for practicing the new vocabulary. The
same way, a mind map was also applied to determine teacher provided guidance to help learners assimilate

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 Training in Metacognitive Strategies for Students’ Vocabulary Improvement by Using Learning Journals

the new words, giving them the opportunity to work Corbin (1990) as “the construction of theory from
in groups and clarify understanding. data that implies to extract and develop concepts
Self-evaluation: In this stage, the students from the data collected” (p. 278). Considering this
evaluated their performance during the lesson in approach, this process was carried out by analyzing
relation to the way they attempted to solve language all the data that emerged from the journals, mind
problems they encountered, and their own learning map, field notes and questionnaire, tagging individual
experience with the use of metacognitive strategies. phrases in an Excel document with different colors.
A second mind map and the same needs analysis Then the analysis was taken to match ideas with each
were also applied again during this stage in order to other in order to consider indicators to assemble
measure student growth in retaining new vocabulary later categories and organize data according to their
and the application of MTS after the interventions. commonalities and triangulation patterns from the
For the post-implementation, all the data were data which became the core categories and a picture
grouped and analyzed to determine the influence the of preliminary results.
metacognitive strategies had on the improvement of
lexical competence in everyday vocabulary. Findings
Following the data analysis, this section explains
Data Analysis the categories and sub-categories (see Table 1) that
The process of analyzing data was based on the emerged during the analysis as a way of grouping
grounded theory approach explained by Strauss and and organizing encountered themes during data

Table 1. Categories and Sub-Categories

Main Category Categories Subcategories

Applying personal plans.

Category 1
Engagement of metacognitive
strategies through the use of
Raising consciousness of their
learning journals.
needs (behavior and attitudes) by
means of learning journals.
Awareness in the use of
metacognitive strategies by
means of learning journals to Awareness of learning strategies.
Category 2
improve everyday vocabulary. Enhancement of learning
strategies. Employment of learning
strategies.

Category 3
Effectiveness of the use of
Development of vocabulary
vocabulary strategies.
strategies.

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Diaz

reduction. These help to answer the research question: goals to be reached in the lesson. In terms of reflection,
How can training learners on planning, monitoring, they did not carry out a satisfactory process, since the
and evaluating through learning journals help young responses were not fully completed. Similarly, the
learners improve their everyday vocabulary? needs analysis showed students’ awareness of learning
First, the main category draws specific conclusions strategies as well as recognition of the MTS (planning
from the data collected. This shows an overview and monitoring). As an illustration of this, 80% of
from the findings in relation to the effect of MTS the participants manifested that they made plans for
training. The constant review of data, its permanent the lessons and also thought about the strategies they
verification, and integration of main categories possessed.
allowed the researcher to label the core category as Figure 1 shows student responses about the
the awareness in the use of metacognitive strategies planning stage, presenting percentages that indicate
by means of learning journals to improve everyday participant awareness of MTS.
vocabulary.
The first category emerged in response to the Figure 1. Needs Analysis: Setting Objectives to Learn
New Vocabulary
research question in the application of MTS through
the use of learning journals. It can be explained from Always
two perspectives: Initially, in applying personal plans, 30%
data revealed that learners generated a plan for the
task, setting personal goals to be reached during the
lesson as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Subjects set and
recorded personal objectives. For example, these
included expected behavior outcomes or knowing the Never Sometimes
60% 10%
meaning of unknown words for the activity. Students
also predicted what they would find in the activity.
The excerpts below illustrate participant journal
responses in terms of planning and setting personal Figure 2. Needs Analysis: Following Planning Steps2

objectives for the lesson:

Never Always
Excerpt 11
20% 40%
“Focus on the lesson” (S3), “pay attention” (S5), “be quiet in class”
(S6), “I should behave” (S8), “sit down so I don’t get quarreled”
(S10). (Students’ journals)
Excerpt 2
They seem to be more worried about behavior issues than
the activity purposed. They set out goals in terms of behavior.
Sometimes
(Teacher’s journal) 40%

It can be said that during this planning stage the

students got involved in the task of setting personal
2 Figure 2 mentions students’ responses in regard to setting
goals, stating steps to find unknown information, and framing a pos-
1 Excerpts have been translated from Spanish. S = Student. sible performance.

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 Training in Metacognitive Strategies for Students’ Vocabulary Improvement by Using Learning Journals

Even though participants were aware of the Excerpt 4

strategies they could use and when to use them, their The teacher noticed that S5 at the moment to start working in
process of auto evaluating task performance was pairs established steps to follow in the activity and for each group
weak. Their manifestations regarding this last stage mate. (Teacher’s journal)
were not clear in terms of what was expected, such
as reflections about their lesson performance. One Participants identified when their strategies were
factor that could explain this issue is the participants’ effective or needed revision as they encountered the
ages, which ranged from 8 to 10 years old, as they problems they had predicted. They were also aware of
seemed to be confused by the idea of formulating a some difficulties they predicted they would find, as well
self-evaluation process. as the possible solutions, implementing vocabulary
Second, raising consciousness of their needs strategies as necessary. For example, they indicated
(behavior and attitudes) by means of learning journals they had problems with meaning as they stated “no
is another sub-category to explain the enhancement of saber las palabras” (not knowing the meaning of some
metacognitive strategies. Embedding MTS has some words) but they immediately came up with a possible
impact on students’ learning process; it has to do with solution, stating “buscar en el dictionary” (look up in
their initiation of planning for the lesson. That is to the dictionary). Figure 3 illustrates the most common
say, the development of their ability to express what solutions learners proposed when they encountered
they know and assist their learning process by means difficulties with word meanings.
of setting personal goals (Mercer & Mercer, 1993).
Likewise, MTS contributes positively to the improvement Figure 3. Students’ Suggested Solutions
to Vocabulary Problems
of vocabulary learning skills, as student journal entry
reflections showed more consciousness in terms of Saying the words
knowing what to do when the students faced difficulties. 16% many times
Translating
Excerpt 3 29% the words
In terms of the metacognitive strategies, they knew the steps to Looking up in the
dictionary
follow after each task. They seem to be more concerned with the 16%
Writing sentences
strategy they use to find out the information they do not know. using the words
Reading the word
(Teacher’s journal) 12% several times

27%
Learners manifested independence in recognizing
difficulties and ways of managing the activity
proposed. For example, when they encountered Excerpt 5
problems with the meaning of some words during the They get the text and started to read several times in order to
task, that difficulty was assisted by asking a friend or understand it. S5, S8, and S10 checked the dictionary to find out some
the teacher, looking the words up in a dictionary, or word meanings and so be able to understand the text about Carl’s
associating it within the context. This idea of being reading, highlighting the words in the texts. (Teacher’s journal)
conscious learners is further supported by Wenden
(1987), who states this process is the set of acquired Regarding Category 2, defined as the enhance-
skills about their own cognitive process to apply, use, ment of learning strategies, two subcategories were
and gain knowledge in various situations. identified:

PROFILE Vol. 17, No. 1, January-June 2015. ISSN 1657-0790 (printed) 2256-5760 (online). Bogotá, Colombia. Pages 87-102 97
Diaz

First, the awareness of learning strategies during Figure 4. Systematic Steps Applied During the Lesson
the process of integrating vocabulary learning
strategies and MTS. Students showed a more conscious Setting clear objectives
11% to learn words in English
process in regard to being aware of the strategies they 28%
Applying previous
could use and recycle later. Participants seemed to knowledge to remember
and learn new words
be more conscious of learning strategies, especially 22% in English

vocabulary learning. They discovered different ways of Thinking about strategies

approaching language, recalling some of the strategies Reviewing content

suggested at the beginning of the project.
Excerpt 6 39%
In terms of the metacognitive strategies, they knew the steps to
follow after each task. They seem to be more concerned with the
strategy they use to find out the information they do not know. evident as students outlined tools such as repetition,
(Teacher’s journal) translation, testing themselves, and so forth, during
Excerpt 7 the lesson to facilitate their task performance
They also managed to have the activity done within the time (Excerpts 6 to 8). They also involved the use of MTS,
limit, and also setting objectives in terms of putting their focus on such as planning and monitoring. During vocabulary
the activity and coping with the requirements. (Teacher’s journal) activities, the process of strategy instruction allowed
Excerpt 8 students to be guided in the use of MTS embedding
I could see that there was appropriation of the new words as they training for the task activity (O’Malley & Chamot,
tried to use them constantly during the activity in order to learn 1990). Moreover, a reflection on the activity was
their meaning; some others were just writing the meaning they taken from the lesson results, instead of what they
found in the dictionary or asking for the meaning in the first predicted in the planning stage that implies following
language. (Teacher’s journal) the process of using these strategy mechanisms. By
doing so, learners are seen as more self-reliant in
It can be said from the above, that as students determining what strategies they can use. Figure 5
became more aware of learning strategies, they could shows students’ responses regarding the application
understand how to manage obstacles encountered of learning strategies.
during the lesson by making use of the knowledge
about their own strategies. To illustrate this, the use of Figure 5. Wanted Learning Strategies

vocabulary strategies is presented as evidence of when To look for strategies

students at the planning stage started setting personal 18% To understand

goals, predicting, and recalling background in relation 27% To learn new words

to the lesson. This can be a sample of how they are To follow a topic
It is not needed
starting to notice how they learn in a systematic way.
Figure 4 shows evidence of how students start noticing 9% 28%
the frame to learn in a systematic way.
Second, the employment of learning strategies is 18%
another subcategory in the enhancement of learning
strategies. The application of learning strategies is

98 Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, Departamento de Lenguas Extranjeras

 Training in Metacognitive Strategies for Students’ Vocabulary Improvement by Using Learning Journals

Excerpt 9 Excerpt 10
I can see that students’ thinking on metacognitive strategies is Although they try to follow the steps presented to complete the
more evident because they are managing their activities with activity, they measure the evaluation process by the product of
little help from the teacher, at first sight, they knew the steps to their individual activity results. In terms of monitoring, they call
follow after one was completed, making it easier to handle the for partners’ helps as well as teachers’; they also looked up the
class activity. (Teacher’s journal) meaning of unknown words on the dictionary very repeatedly.
(Teacher’s journal)
Category 3 refers to the development of vocabulary
strategies. As students determined their class plans In the same way, learning journals also contributed
and raised their awareness of learning strategies, they to the training of MTS by providing learners with a
became more familiar with planning the strategies to scan of their own experience (see Figure 4) at learning
be used to complete a task or to understand it. As a vocabulary as well as understanding the strategies
result of the influence of these, they could increase the they used to make it possible. It also provided the
number of words produced in the second mind map opportunity to self-reflect on individual experiences
per intervention in relation to the first one. Following and apply tools to acquire the meaning of unknown
the training, the number of words increased on vocabulary, identifying their preferences based on
average 5 or 6% in each week’s lesson. strengths and weaknesses as illustrated in Excerpts
O’Malley and Chamot (1990) define learning 11 and 12, although the process of self-report was
strategies as “the special thoughts or behaviors that demonstrated to be accurate since it comes from their
individuals use to comprehend, learn, or retain new mental processing.
information” (p. 1). When the students set behavior Excerpt 11
objectives and activity goals (see Figure 2 and Excerpt Journals have been useful for students to notice how they
1), they seemed to identify those strategies supporting tried to solve lesson problems. They talk about how they could
their task performance quickly. They also decided clarify understanding. I could also noticed them grouping and
when to use them, and regulated their learning to resourcing for getting the learning activity completed. (Teacher’s
understand the task. For example, thinking about the journal)
difficulties they may encounter before beginning a Excerpt 12
learning task can be seen as part of the planning stage Remember the meaning of words about free activities, unknown
of metacognitive strategies, anticipating possible the verbs and how to write them, do not know how to pronounce
situations to be experienced (see Figure 3). Knowing some words (students identified problems).
and planning ways of overcoming these difficulties Memorize the words, strive for completing the activity, do my job
can be seen as a student’s way of scaffolding his or in a better way as possible, look up in the dictionary (students
her own learning, making conscious use of learning identified advantages). (Students’ journal)
strategies. Hence, the integration of strategies
constitute a combination of MTS and vocabulary
strategies processing, where learners are aware of Conclusions
learning strategies to improve their vocabulary The main objective of this study was to examine
through their own efforts as they prioritize strategies the effect of metacognitive strategies training on A1
to make the understanding and completion of a level students to help them improve their vocabulary.
task possible. It found that the training in MTS contributed to

PROFILE Vol. 17, No. 1, January-June 2015. ISSN 1657-0790 (printed) 2256-5760 (online). Bogotá, Colombia. Pages 87-102 99
Diaz

improving students’ vocabulary learning at Centro learning, and expand them to others language areas,
de Inglés. This was evident as participants raised since this field is still to be investigated.
individual consciousness about some learning
strategies although they could not show evidence Pedagogical Implications
of internalizing metacognitive strategies. Findings Some practical implications of the study,
evidenced a positive influence of the learning especially concerning EFL teachers, students and
strategies to improve students’ vocabulary as educational institutions can be identified.
they could experience different ways to find and The training in metacognitive strategies benefits
understand meaning of the words given during the classroom practices as it enriches the metacognition
interventions. This knowledge gave participants process. Metacognitive strategies provide learners
different opportunities to use several tools as well as with the knowledge and ability to gather learning
the ability to increase vocabulary learning during class tools to carry out learning goals, and the acquaintance
performance. The process also indicated that students of features from their own ways of learning to manage
experienced a procedural language instruction where cognitive process when developing their learning.
systematic stages involved various cognitive and Another point drawn from this study is that the
linguistic processes. training in metacognitive strategies has significant
In regard to language learning strategies, the study influence on students’ autonomy. It generates
concluded that students can be more conscious about autonomous behaviors and ways of self-managing
the deck of strategies they use in their vocabulary learning strategies by allocating mindful tools and
learning process when they employ different particular individual methods of attaining learning
vocabulary strategies and identify the integration of goals. These strategies may help cement future
metacognitive strategies. It positively influences the learning goals as they continue pursuing knowledge
knowledge of vocabulary learning tools, as implied by using different procedural skills that cope with
Chamot and O’Malley (1994). learning needs.
The use of learning journals has also served This study also permits exploring the training on
participants positively. As participants experienced metacognitive strategies in the different language areas
the use of learning journals, they started framing their and to seek the development of learning strategies
learning through the process of thinking, recoding that help students scaffold their learning process.
their individual perceptions about their performance Furthermore, it allows promoting more classroom
in each lesson. Students were able to notice the research on different techniques and cognitive process
operations they were employing to help their learning that can be engaged to provide learners with long
by means of this instrument, recognizing their lasting strategies as possible solutions to their learning
strengths and weaknesses. Learning journals could difficulties.
also provide the researcher with an overview of The use of learning journals and field notes in
strategy training and how students were developing the classroom is another concern. It can be used as
in their learning. a way of assessing the development of a different
One positive insight of this study is for teachers teaching and learning process, through the process of
who may see this process as the starting point to thinking and writing about classroom and individual
improve methods applied by students in vocabulary experiences.

100 Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, Departamento de Lenguas Extranjeras
 Training in Metacognitive Strategies for Students’ Vocabulary Improvement by Using Learning Journals

Further Research Chamot, A. U. (2009). The CALLA handbook: Implementing

To continue exploring the effect of MTS training the cognitive academic language learning approach (2nd
on language learning areas, it is advisable to extend ed.) White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman.
the procedures carried out in this research. This Chamot, A. U., & O’Malley, J. M. (1994). The CALLA hand-
extension can be employed in using interviews or book: Implementing the cognitive language learning
focus groups in order to identify external factors that approach (1st ed.). Reading, MA: Addison Wesley.
can benefit the research purpose by providing more Chengqian, W. (2009). Methods for teaching primary stu-
data measurements. dents EFL vocabulary (Master’s thesis). University of
Moreover, it is also recommended that the period Wisconsin, USA.
of training be extended to continue contributing Cross, D. R., & Paris, S. G. (1988). Developmental and
to participants’ self-evaluation process. Finally, it instructional analyses of children’s metacognition
is necessary to devote more time to the MTS famili- and reading comprehension. Journal of Educational
arization training to promote more student practice in Psychology, 80(2), 131-142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/
the use of MTS. 0022-0663.80.2.131.
Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive moni-
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About the Author

Itala Diaz holds a Master degree in didactics for self-directed learning from Universidad de La Sabana
(Colombia), a TESOL Certificate from Anaheim University (USA), a Bachelor of Arts in English Language
from Universidad de Córdoba (Colombia), and ESL certifications from Hagerstown Community College
(USA).

102 Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas, Departamento de Lenguas Extranjeras