Problems in learning discipline-specific vocabulary: exploration of midwifery department students in Surabaya

Vocabulary plays an essential role in communicating and in learning English language skills. In learning English for Specific Purpose, midwifery students need to learn and understand discipline-specific vocabulary that is related to midwifery and the health field. This research aims to explore (1) the problems of learning discipline-specific vocabulary by midwifery students, (2) the factors influencing the problems of learning discipline-specific vocabulary, and (3) the strategies by midwifery students for solving the problems. The researcher conducted a survey of midwifery students from several midwifery institutions in Surabaya. This research used closed-ended questionnaires which consist of some aspects related to the issue. The findings reveal that midwifery students face some problems in learning discipline-specific vocabulary such as problems in (a) long and abstract vocabulary, (b) words meaning, (c) pronunciation, (d) spelling, (e) and word formation such as affixes, word roots, and compound words. Those problems appear due to some factors that are related to pronunciation, spelling, and the kinds of terms. Other factors of problems that are related to students' habits and self ability also exist despite the impact are not too high. Moreover, Students apply some strategies to solve the problems and to help them learn vocabulary effectively. They mostly apply (a) determination strategies by using a dictionary, (b) social strategies by asking teachers or classmates, and (c) memory strategies by practicing the spelling of the words and saying them loudly. These findings imply that in learning discipline-specific vocabulary, midwifery students face problems on various components with several factors that influence them. However, conducting various vocabulary learning strategies could help students to solve the problems.