Investigating ESL Engineering Learners' Knowledge of High-frequency Phrasal Verbs

Vocabulary is crucial for language development and communication enhancement, serving as a key indicator of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. However, ESL students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face challenges in communication in English due to limited vocabulary. This study focuses on assessing lexical knowledge of students, specifically examining the knowledge of frequently used phrasal verbs within communicative contexts. The investigation included 105 first-year engineering students (60 male, 45 female) randomly selected from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar. The researcher initiated the assessment by administering a multiple-choice vocabulary test comprising an inventory of 150 high-frequency phrasal verbs, as compiled by Garnier and Schmitt (2015). The results revealed that only 50 students obtained a score between 100 and 120 out of 150 points on the test. This implies that the majority of students' phrasal verbs knowledge is moderate. Hence, it is important to improve their both knowledge and usage of phrasal verbs for effective communication skills. Therefore, this study suggests various strategies to enhance phrasal verb knowledge, such as incorporating short stories, focusing on the grammar of words, using flashcards, engaging in sentence-writing practices, and incorporating images or videos showing phrasal verbs. Additionally, pedagogical implications are offered for syllabus designers and language instructors to include phrasal verbs in reading materials. In the end, future research has been highlighted. Keywords: High-frequency phrasal verbs, ESL learners, communication enrichment and vocabulary development.