Towards Integrating and Utilising Contextual Clues in Strategizing Development of Students Vocabulary Preferences in Nigerian Universities

There are several approaches towards vocabulary learning and creating extra active and independent language learners. Integrating and utilizing appropriate contextual clues strategies is very important in enhancing language learners with required skills to realize and figure out word meanings accurately, moving away from too much reliance on the use of dictionary in enhancing academic capability and experience. The objective of this study is to determine forms of contextual clues and extent of learners’ skill to acquire precise and accurate word meaning through contextual deduction. The participants were learners from various programmed taught contextual clues strategies and tested using class work sheets to examine and interpret the integration and utilization of the strategies. Results of findings show that most participants relied on different contextual clues approaches, especially cognitive strategies. The participants were as well observed to be independent in presuming word meaning through creating conscious decisions, as well as showing least reference to teachers while trying to apply the strategies taught. Further results show ineffective and fruitless correct opinions by some participants regardless of comparable strategy selection. The conclusions show a level of benefit to language learners. It is recommended that more emphasis be put on teaching and learning use of appropriate contextual clues in the improvement learner’s skill.