چكيده
The present study attempts to verify the effect of visual mnemonics on learning of abstract words by Iranian male and female intermediate EFL learners via VOLT mobile phone application. In order to meet these objectives, 120 male and female learners of SafirDanesh language center were selected. By dint of the Oxford placement test, 80 high intermediate learners were assigned to one control group and one experimental group. The control group consisted of 30 male and female students. There was one experimental group; including 25 female and 25 male participants. Next step was choosing 70 words from among 100 words, which were signified by participants through Vocabulary Knowledge Scale. During the treatment, experimental groups had used the visual mnemonics in VOLT application and the control group enjoyed the traditional vocabulary teaching method. After ten sessions of treatment, participants were given a researcher-made posttest. Scrutinizing the scores of the posttest by applying a two-way analysis of variances (two-way ANOVA) the results approved the efficacy of VOLT application on learning abstract English vocabulary. The results also proved that this application had more significant effect on female participants than male participants.Thus, findings of this study could have considerable implications for teachers, in order to use visual mnemonics as an efficient instrument in teaching abstract vocabulary, mostly in female classes. On the other hand, it is also useful for English language learners in order to use VOLT application and take the advantage of it in order to assist them while learning abstract words for different exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
Key terms: Abstract Nouns, Controlled Vocabulary, Mnemonics, Visual Learner
