VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES TRAN PHUONG THAO USING WORDWALL.NET IN TEACHING ENGLISH VOCABULARY TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY RETENTION: AN ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT AT A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN BAC NINH M. MINOR PROGRAM THESIS (PROGRAM 1) Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231.01 Hanoi — 2024 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES TRAN PHUONG THAO USING WORDWALL.NET IN TEACHING ENGLISH VOCABULARY TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY RETENTION: AN ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT AT A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN BAC NINH M. MINOR PROGRAM THESIS (PROGRAM 1) Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231. Nguyễn Thu Hạnh Hanoi — 2024 DECLARATION I affirm that the thesis titled “Using Wordwall.net in teaching English vocabulary to improve students’ vocabulary retention: An action research project at a Secondary School in Bac Ninh” is an original piece of work completed by me to meet the prerequisites for the Master of Arts Degree at University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
Bac Ninh, 2024 Student’s signature Tran Phuong Thao ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Assoc. Nguyễn Thu Hanh, my esteemed research supervisor, whose guidance, expertise, and unwavering support were instrumental in shaping this thesis. Your insightful feedback and encouragement have been invaluable throughout this academic journey. I am sincerely grateful to the students of Class 9AI at Hoa Long Lower Secondary School in Bac Ninh City for their valuable participation in our research.
Your enthusiastic involvement greatly contributed to the success of this study. Your dedication is truly appreciated. I would also like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my colleagues at Hoa Long Lower Secondary School in Bac Ninh City. Your collaboration, constructive discussions, and shared experiences have enriched this research work immensely.
To my family, I am profoundly grateful for your unending love, encouragement, and understanding. Your unwavering support and patience have been my pillar of strength, enabling me to navigate through the challenges and successes encountered during the course of this study. Your collective support and encouragement have played an integral role in the completion of this thesis, and for that, I am sincerely thankful. il ABSTRACT This study aimed to address the challenges faced by the students in acquiring and retaining vocabulary by incorporating supplementary activities.
Employing an action research allows for an assessment of the activities’ effectiveness on students’ vocabulary retention and their perceptions towards these interventions. The implementation of Wordwall.net activities is anticipated to improve students' vocabulary retention. Observation, questionnaires, and tests serve as instruments in conducting this study. Despite the study's limitation, encompassing a group of 38 students, the initial findings after the eight-week intervention shows promising results.
Students exhibit improved output, and their positive responses and eagerness for adjustments provide encouraging feedback. The implementation of supplementary activities aimed at enhancing vocabulary retention is envisioned to not only benefit the students but also offer insights into effective vocabulary teaching and learning methods. Consequently, the findings of this study are anticipated to inspire further research into vocabulary retention strategies. Even though the research is conducted over a relatively short duration, its results provide a foundation for further studies.
The thorough data analysis and finding discussion are beneficial to potential future research with the goal of making a larger contribution to English vocabulary retention. 1H TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION. Họ 000000080ii ABSTTIR AC TT,. HH 000000 01 00 004080010 Hi TABLE OF CONNTIETNÏTS.
5-5 HH HH HH 0 00800858 iv LIST OF TABLEES. 00000050080 00 vii LIST OF EIGUIRIES. 0 1 0100800009 00 Viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIIOÏN. Rationale of the na.
Aims and objectives of the Study. -- c6 c1 E991 21 2211 1 11 1 ng HH tệp 2 1. Significance of the SfUy.- -G- SĂ 11v k9 HH nh TT HH ng 3 1.-- -- ¿5c + 3x SE 3x1 SE ng Hưng rệt 4 1. Structures of the thesis 1.
4 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE .- 5-55-5555 <ss<sseses se 6 2. Overview of vocabulary and vocabulary teaching and learning. Definitions of vocabullaTV. Pronunciation and spelÏing.- --- --- «+ +++++ec+e+sexexs+ 6 PCVAOdc cạa)aađi.
Types Of vOcabullaTV. --- + cc cv ng ng ng ng rưệp 9 2. Types of vocabulary according to frequency of use. Types of vocabulary according to meanIng.
Teaching and learning vocabuÌarY.-- -- ¿s5 + s+ss++sx+ssseesseess II 2.net in vocabulary teaching and learning.net in teaching and learning English.net in teaching English vocabulary. Steps of teaching English vocabulary using WordWall. PTeV1OuS SfUIS,. Án HH TT TH TT Hà HH nh TH nh HH 15 0)0i0ï92030061i/ 111257257.
Participants of the Study 218. Data collection 1nstruIme€fIfS. - - - < s s s s99 331959 5935555555555 1v ke reeree 23 ân: .- Gà HH TH TH HH HT TH HH nh Hàn gà 26 Eh)ái. Plan: Planning the aCfIOI.2 Act: Putting the plan Into aCfIOT.
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32 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. Students’ current English vocabulary learning.net to enhance students’ vocabulary retention and their ALCICUGES see eee etceeeeceseeseesecesecseseesecsecaesacsecseeseesesasseeaesaesaceecsessceaseesaeeeeeeseeeeeaees 37 4.net to enhance students’ vocabulary retention. The first CYC]. The Pre-test and Post-test resulfS.
Students’ attitude toward supplementary actIVIties. The frequency of student’s using Wordwall.net to learn and review vocabulary at hOIe. Benefits and difficulties of using Wordwall.net in learning and review vocabulary perceived by studenfs. Student’s opinion about the effect of using Wordwall.net to learning and review VOCabUIATY.
Student’s desire for using Wordwall.net in the vocabulary bIs011)0010IẼ222 5-3535. Summary of the findIngs§. Ghi HH TH TH TH nhiệt 52 Chapter SUIMMALY2001757277. Some suggestions for using Wordwall.net to improve student’s vocabulary 19001020002.
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--- + c St x*kSiksiesrrerrsrerree 60 REEFERENCES. (GỌI TH TH TT 0000004080006 g0 61 APPENDIX Í.-- 5 sọ ee IX vi LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Observation ÀSp€CẨS. Criteria for classifying test r€SuÏ{S.-- 5 55s s+svs+esseeeeeex 31 Table 3.
Students’ difficulties in learning vocabulary. Aspects of vocabulary taught by teachers. Teachers’ major current vocabulary teaching methods. The results of the pre-test and post-test.
Paired Samples Statistics of Pre-test and Post-tesf. Paired Samples Correlations of Pre-test and Post-test. Paired Samples 'Ï €Sf. The frequency of student’s using Wordwall.net to learn and review vocabulary 1018:1017.
Student’s opinion about the effect of using Wordwall.net to learning and review VOCabullTY. Student’s desire for using Wordwall.net in the vocabulary Tore LU) 10 (0) eee 50 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Action research model by Kemmis and McTaggart (1988). Detailed Action Research Model (Susman, 1983).
Benefits and difficulties of using Wordwall.net in learning and review vocabulary perceived by stud€nIES. viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale of the study The importance of vocabulary cannot be overstated for the academic success of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners as proficiency in foreign languages tend to decline significantly for learners with limited vocabulary. Vocabulary instruction is a crucial element in learning and teaching any foreign language, as a learner's language proficiency is closely tied to their vocabulary.
Moreover, the fundamental skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing all hinge on the mastery of vocabulary. To become proficient in these skills, a foreign language learner must master a certain number of vocabulary. Conversely, a deficiency in vocabulary greatly impacts these language abilities. According to Wilkins (1972, p.111-112), "While without grammar very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed." Therefore, vocabulary is central to foreign language teaching, and developing one's vocabulary is the most vital aspect of learning a foreign language.
It serves as the medium that connects speaking, listening, reading, and writing into a cohesive whole. Effective communication in a foreign language necessitates learning an ample quantity of words and using them accurately and responsibly. When studying vocabulary, secondary school students may find it challenging. It is obvious that they will utilize language more skillfully if they have a strong vocabulary.
In addition, a specific vocabulary range is required to pass their test. Although it is clear that a secondary school student only needs a sufficient amount of vocabulary, some students nevertheless struggle to master it. Although it is evident that vocabulary is crucial for language learners of all languages, not just English, learning vocabulary has not received enough attention. Language users can still communicate non-verbally without vocabulary, but they are unable to when taking examinations.
Especially, vocabulary is essential for users when they write; therefore, learners should have a good command of vocabulary. Some students memorize words only because they are given marks on the next lesson; as a result, they have not yet realized the significance of vocabulary in language learning. When there is no distinct course for vocabulary, learning vocabulary depends on personal perception. Some students even struggle to understand simple phrases, virtually rendering them illiterate.
When taking English tests at school, they select the responses at random, bearing no responsibility for their answers. Additionally, there is not any additional practice 1 for vocabulary. Therefore, a new study that incorporates some exercises outside of class to improve vocabulary memory for students in some contexts will be done. Aims and objectives of the study The primary aim of this research is to bolster the retention of students' vocabulary through games on Wordwall.
This study is motivated by the need to address challenges encountered by students in their vocabulary acquisition process. By delving into the complexities that hinder effective vocabulary learning, the investigation aims to identify and comprehensively understand these challenges. To achieve this overarching aim, the study has several specific objectives. Firstly, it seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of Wordwall.net games as a tool for enhancing vocabulary retention.
This involves empirical analysis and comparison with traditional learning methods to determine the efficacy of approaches. Secondly, the study is planned to identify and understand the specific challenges encountered by students in acquiring new vocabulary. This objective involves analyzing common obstacles such as lack of engagement, memorization difficulties, and limited exposure to target words. Thirdly, the research aims to explore potential strategies for overcoming the identified challenges.
By investigating effective teaching methodologies, adaptive learning techniques, and innovative educational technologies, the study aims to offer practical solutions to enhance vocabulary acquisition. Moreover, the study aims to assess the impact of Wordwall.net games on student engagement and motivation in vocabulary learning. Factors such as intrinsic motivation, perceived enjoyment, and sustained interest in learning through the platforms will be examined. Research questions This study research aims to enhance the students’ vocabulary retention through supplementary activities.
To achieve the objectives, the study answers the following research questions: 1. What challenges have the students had in learning vocabulary? 2. To what extent does the use of Wordwall.net improve the vocabulary retention of students at a secondary school in Bac Ninh city? 3. What are the students’ attitudes towards the use of Wordwall.net in teaching vocabulary? 1.
Scope of the study This research, constrained by time and scope limitations inherent in a graduation thesis, exclusively focuses on the integration of Wordwall.net activities for teaching English vocabulary, disregarding other instructional methods. The study targets a specific class of 9th-grade students at a secondary school in Bac Ninh province. Significance of the study The significance of this study encompasses multifaceted implications, aiming to yield valuable insights and benefits for students involved in the educational setting. Firstly, for the researcher, this analysis serves as a foundational experience, providing crucial insights and information pertinent to teaching and learning English vocabulary.
The knowledge gained from this study can serve as a stepping stone for future research endeavors, fostering a deeper understanding of vocabulary acquisition and effective teaching methodologies. Additionally, this study allows the researcher to refine their skills in conducting empirical investigations, contributing to their growth as a scholarly practitioner.