VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE USING SENSE RELATIONS TO IMPROVE VOCABULARY LEARNING OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS IN A LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HANOI Sw dung moi quan hé vé nghia dé cai thién viéc hoc tir vung của hoc sinh lớp 8 tại một trường THCS ở Hà Nội M.A MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Language Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231.01 Hanoi — 2024 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE USING SENSE RELATIONS TO IMPROVE VOCABULARY LEARNING OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS IN A LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HANOI Sw dung moi quan hé vé nghia dé cai thién viéc hoc tir vung của hoc sinh lớp 8 tại một trường THCS ở Hà Nội M.A MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Language Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231. Hoang Van Van Hanoi - 2024 DECLARATION BY AUTHOR I hereby certify that the thesis entitled “USING SENSE RELATIONS TO IMPROVE VOCABULARY LEARNING FOR 8TH-GRADE STUDENTS AT A LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HA NOT” is the result of my own research for the Degree of Master of Arts in English Linguistics. The substance of the thesis has not, wholly or in part, been submitted for any other degrees to any other colleges or institutions. Except where reference has been made in the text, this thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person.
The study reported in this thesis was approved by University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Author’s signature Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam Approved by SUPERVISOR Prof. Hoang Van Van ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Without the assistance and love of many people, this thesis would never have been completed. I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to many people who helped make it possible.
I would like first and foremost to express my sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to Prof. Hoang Van Van, my supervisor, for his invaluable and insightful comments, deliberate guidance, and wholehearted supervision without which the thesis would not have been feasible. My thanks also go to all my respected teachers for their informative and valuable lectures that have enlightened my research path. In particular, millions of my special thanks go to the students and teachers at Nghia Tan Secondary School who participated in doing the survey and responding to my interviews.
They provided detailed information for the analysis of this study. Last, but not least, I am deeply indebted to my family and friends for their constant source of love, support, and encouragement. il ABSTRACT As the meaning of new words is frequently stressed, whether in books or in the classroom, vocabulary development is a crucial component of language learning. In this thesis, the role of sense relations in vocabulary education is examined.
A list of several sense relations, including hyponymy, antonymy, and synonymy, is presented at the beginning. Afterward, it offers a ton of illustrations of how to incorporate each sense association into vocabulary learning. Vietnamese pupils can have trouble learning new words. As a result of their learning processes and patterns, they are unable to retain words at all or to recall words when needed.
According to a study of the literature, sensory relations can help students acquire new words. In this backdrop, this thesis, entitled “Using sense relations to improve vocabulary learning for 8°-grade students at a lower secondary school in Ha Noi”, aims to find out the improvement of the use of sense relations in teaching vocabulary. This study utilized both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The test, the questionnaire, and the interview were utilized to collect the data.
The author employed purposive sampling when choosing the sample. The sample was made up of 30 students in class 8A1 of Nghia Tan Secondary School. The results of the test indicated that using sense relations might aid students in developing their vocabulary proficiency in English. The English teacher also provided some suggestions for employing sense relations in vocabulary education based on the analysis of the interview.
It is obvious that sense relations have a role in pupils’ successful vocabulary acquisition. 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION BY AUTHOR.- ng HH ng rệt i ACKNOWLEDGMENTTS. ng TH HH HH Hư ii ABSTRACT. vii LIST OF FIGURES 110105177.
vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. TS HH HH HH HH He vill CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. Rationale of the Study. Aims and objectives of the Study.
G1 HS HH HH ng nưệp 3 1. Scope of the Study. Significance of the StUAY. Methods of the Study oo.
Organization Of the SfUyy.- -- - 111 TH HH HH HH 7 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEWW. nen ni, 8 VAN ¡20100001117 4. Vocabulary teach1nng.--- 5 + 3113311331113 11 18111911 8 111 11 vn ng ng nếp 14 2. Vocabulary 0Is2yii:: 010170787.
ĐH HH HH HH ng Hệ, 32 3. Restatement of research QUestiONS. Research Setting nh. TeXtb0oks oes eecesccscssecsecssecseesseeseesseccesseceesseesecsseeeesseesaessecseesseenaesaeenaeeaee 34 3.
Methods of the Study. Overview of methods of the Study .- ng ng ngư 36 3. Data collection instruments 1001. Pre-test and post-test na.
Data collection procedure .- -ó- 5 vn nHTHTHTgn gh gh nh gưHư rưnr 46 3. Data analysis procedure 0n. Test data analysis. Interview data analysis.
Triangulation and Inf€BTAfIOTI. 50 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION.- cà àeeeee 51 AL. Findings from questionnaire. Findings from tests nänš.
The finding of the current study in line with the findings of the previous studies: 62 CS Nhì a0 ad.-- ccc LH HH, 65 SN v0 na. Implications of the findingS. Limitations of the Study .- --- 6 c1 S1 TH HT HH ng cư 67 5.-- - 6 1h HH gưkt | APPENDIX 2 PRE- AND POST-INTERVENTION INTERVIEW QUESTIONS IV APPENDIX 3 TRANSCRIPTS OF PRE- AND POST-INTERVENTION INTERVIEWS Qo. cccececccescecccescesecsscssecsscesecsecseecsscssesseceescsscesesssessecssssessesessesseeeaeaeee Vv APPENDIX 4 PRE- AND POST-TEST RESULTS .------ 555 5<<c+<<<++ vil APPENDIX 5 PAIRED SAMPLE STATISTICS.
cece cece ceeeneeeeeseeeees Vill [. IX APPENDIX 6B POSTT-TIESÏT. G5 c1 TH TH gi TH gu HH nh ngờ XI APPENDIX 7 LESSON PLAN SAMPLE. XII APPENDIX 8 SYLLABUS FOR APPLYING SENSE RELATIONS TO TEACH.
XX APPENDIX 9 SOME ACTIVITIES IN THE EXPERIMENTAL TEACHING.XXII VI LIST OF TABLES Table 2. Summary of sense relations (Cruse, 2004). - ---+-+++sx++x+sesses+ 25 Table 3. The research procedure .-- - 5 c2 33211139533 E1 EEEEE1EEerree 41 Table 3.
Questionnaire’s break-OUt .-- c5 3113 + EESEESeekrererrerserree 45 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2. Integration of sense relations in vocabulary teaching process (adapted from Marzano’s SIX-Sf€P Process). --- -G- 6 1H n HT ng gh nhngư ng rh 18 Figure 3. Action research cycle (Nunan, 1992) .-- S5 St + srseerrersrre 41 Figure 00x20.
Post-test results .- 5 5 TT TH TH TH HT TT nh Hư Hư Hư 54 vil LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS EFL: English as a foreign language ELLs: English language learners ESL: English as a second language L2: Second language PQ: Post-intervention interview question PrQ: Pre-intervention interview question Vili CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale of the study Vocabulary is undeniably a fundamental pillar of language acquisition. It serves as the building blocks upon which communication and comprehension are constructed, making it an indispensable component of language learning, particularly for English Language Learners (ELLs). The significance of vocabulary acquisition in mastering a second language cannot be overstated.
Schmitt (2000) aptly posits that vocabulary occupies a central position within communicative competence, serving as a linchpin for effective second language mastery. Substantiating this assertion, notable researchers such as Laufer and Nation (1999), Maximo (2000), Read (2000), Gu (2003), Marion (2008), and Nation (2011) collectively recognize the pivotal role vocabulary plays in enabling successful language usage, whether in oral discourse or written expression. However, despite its undeniable importance, English vocabulary acquisition presents substantial challenges for learners, especially for those in the Vietnamese educational context. One of the primary obstacles encountered by English language learners in Vietnam is the intricate system of pronunciation within the English language.
English words often exhibit idiosyncratic pronunciation patterns, leading to a notable disparity between spelling and pronunciation. A classic example includes words like “dough,” “tough,” and “bough,” which are all spelled similarly but pronounced differently, causing considerable confusion for learners. Another formidable challenge lies in the realm of English phraseology and collocations. English encompasses a vast and diverse array of phrase structures and collocational combinations.
These combinations are often unpredictable, making it arduous for learners to memorize them through conventional rote learning methods. To address these challenges and facilitate more efficient vocabulary acquisition among young learners, it is imperative to explore innovative and effective teaching methodologies. The traditional approach to repetitive memorization, characterized by the laborious process of writing down new words and committing them to memory, tends to render the learning experience dull and uninspiring. Consequently, there is a pressing need to introduce pedagogical approaches that not only enhance vocabulary acquisition but also foster enthusiasm for language learning.
Sense relations, including hyponymy, antonymy, and synonymy, have emerged as a promising avenue for invigorating vocabulary instruction. By exploring the interconnectedness of words through sense relations, learners can grasp word meanings more organically and develop a deeper understanding of how words function within the linguistic framework. Moreover, the use of sense relations adds a layer of contextual relevance to vocabulary acquisition, making the learning process more engaging and meaningful. The importance of discovering an effective approach to instructing English vocabulary, particularly when dealing with young learners, cannot be overstated.
Within the Vietnamese educational context, there is a notable sluggishness in the pace at which vocabulary is acquired by students. This sluggish progress may be attributed to the inadequacy of the teaching methodologies currently employed. Conventional pedagogical practices necessitate students repeatedly transcribing new vocabulary words and committing them to memory through rote memorization, a method that often renders the learning process uninspiring and monotonous. The application of sense relations in the realm of vocabulary instruction represents a promising paradigm shift.
It promises to not only expedite vocabulary acquisition but also inject a renewed sense of enthusiasm and engagement into the educational experience. The incorporation of sense relations, including hyponymy, antonymy, and synonymy, offers a dynamic framework for connecting words within a coherent linguistic context. By exploring these relationships, learners can naturally grasp the nuanced meanings and usages of words, transcending the limitations of mere memorization. Given the aforementioned considerations, it becomes evident that an exploration into the efficacy of utilizing sense relations as a pedagogical tool for enhancing English vocabulary acquisition is imperative.
Consequently, the proposed research initiative seeks to delve into this uncharted territory by conducting a comprehensive investigation titled “Using sense relations to improve vocabulary learning for 8"-grade students at a lower secondary school in Ha Noi.” Through this research, it aims to elucidate the potential of sense relations as a catalyst for invigorating vocabulary learning and redefining the pedagogical landscape for young learners in the Vietnamese educational system. Aims and objectives of the study The principal aim of this research endeavor is to determine whether sense relations, including hyponymy, antonymy, and synonymy, can serve as effective pedagogical tools to enhance the English vocabulary skills of eighth-grade students in a lower secondary school. This central aim underscores the significance of vocabulary acquisition in the language learning process and seeks to assess the potential of sense relations to facilitate this critical aspect of language development. Meanwhile, the study has two primary objectives.
Firstly, it aims to empirically investigate whether sense relations can enhance the English vocabulary of 8th-grade students in a lower secondary school setting by conducting assessments and comparative analyses of vocabulary proficiency before and after the integration of sense relations into the instructional approach. Secondly, it seeks to provide valuable insights and pedagogical recommendations concerning the utilization of sense relations in vocabulary instruction. Through a thorough review of data and observations, this objective strives to offer practical guidance for educators on how to effectively incorporate sense relations into their teaching methods. These inter-related objectives collectively form the backbone of the study, guiding the research process and shaping the outcomes.