O'Brien, Mary GranthamKaushik, Vibha2013-09-162013-11-122013-09-162013Kaushik, V. (2013). German for English Speakers: The Use of the L1 in L2 Vocabulary Acquisition (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26298http://hdl.handle.net/11023/980Several studies have investigated the use of the first language (L1) in second language (L2) vocabulary teaching and learning. But so far, there is a scarcity of research that looks into this issue from the perspective of English learners of German. With the aim to fill this gap, a study was carried out that compares the effectiveness of the two experimental teaching conditions: L2 vocabulary instruction using L1 translation equivalents vs. L2 vocabulary instruction using L2 definitions of L2 words. This study also examines the role of the L2 proficiency level in the recall and retention of the L2 words under the two conditions. The participants were English learners of German. The results were compared across three different proficiency levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. The research findings suggest that the use of the L1 facilitates the learning of the new L2 words and enhances the recall and retention of the newly learned L2 words.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.LinguisticsL1L2second language acquisitionGermanVocabularySecond language learningSecond language teachingTranslation equivalentsmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/26298