【Abstract】Successful second language acquisition encompasses multi-processes concerning how different linguistic subsystems develop， such as morphology， grammar， vocabulary and semantics， among which vocabulary learning plays an essential role in second language learning.Despite of the importance， many students find it difficult to learn and remember English words. In this way， they cannot practice other language skills effectively and feel demotivated. There is no doubt learners will go through different vocabulary learning phrases and adopt different strategies in order to fulfill various needs during their language learning processes. This paper will focus on the initial phrase of vocabulary acquisition： explicit vocabulary learning ，and analyze two strategies that are suitable for college students who are at this phrase. The aim is to help teachers and students have a better understanding of vocabulary learning and to give some suggestion.
　　【Key words】English Vocabulary Acquisition； Explicit learning； Strategies
　　1. Introduction
　　In the past decades， many researchers emphasize the importance of lexical knowledge and they believe that vocabulary as the building blocks can lay a solid foundation for the following language proficiency improvement （Maley 1986； Grabe