MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING LE ANH TUAN PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY GRADUATION PAPER A STUDY OF STRATEGIES TO ENRICH VOCABULARY FOR SECOND-YEAR ENGLISH MAJORS AT PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY Nghiên cứu cách thức cải thiện vốn từ vựng của sinh viên năm thứ hai chuyên ngành Ngôn ngữ Anh tại Trường Đại học Phenikaa ENGLISH LANGUAGE Student: Le Anh Tuan Student ID No: 20010031 Course: 2020 - 2024 Field: English Language Mode of study: Full-time Supervisor: Tran Thanh Thu, M.A Ha Noi – 2024 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY GRADUATION PAPER A STUDY OF STRATEGIES TO ENRICH VOCABULARY FOR SECOND-YEAR ENGLISH MAJORS AT PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY Nghiên cứu cách thức cải thiện vốn từ vựng của sinh viên năm thứ hai chuyên ngành Ngôn ngữ Anh tại Trường Đại học Phenikaa Student: Le Anh Tuan Student ID No: 20010031 Course: 2020 -2024 Field: English Language Mode of study: Full-time Supervisor: Tran Thanh Thu, M.A Ha Noi – 2024 i ABSTRACT The study investigates vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) among second- year English majors at Phenikaa University. It emphasizes that mastering vocabulary is crucial for language acquisition but challenging for many learners. The research aims to understand students' VLS usage and differences between groups. A quantitative approach was chosen, involving 50 student questionnaires.
Findings highlight cognitive strategies as most common, with disparities noted: weaker students underutilize interactive methods like Flashcards and native speaker interaction compared to average and strong students. The study intends to guide students in effective VLS application and suggests future research directions. ii DECLARATION I, Le Anh Tuan – 20010031, certify that no part of the above report has been copied or reproduced by me from any other person’s work without acknowledgements and that the report is originally written by me under strict guidance of my supervisor. Hanoi, 30th June, 2024 Supervisor Student Tran Thanh Thu, M.A Le Anh Tuan iii ACKNOWLEGEMENT There are several people whom I am grateful for their help and support during the course of my study, towards which they were extremely useful and without whom this my study could not have been possible.
First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Tran Thanh Thu, M.A for the assistance that was given during the preparation of this research, the advice, and critiques received. She has displayed such commitment towards the study and the assistance that she has provided particularly as an e-mentor has been absolutely imperative in the management of different matters that come up in the process of the study. I would also like to extend my sincere acknowledgement to the Faculty members of the English Department at Phenikaa University. Their knowledge and help were what I required so I can do this task with motivation.
In addition, I would also like to thank my family and friends for their moral support and for pushing me to finish this paper. This is so since the constant discouragement of my inability to complete the challenges to the end of this study was reassured with their words that I could do it. This implies that such support and contributions from these persons has been greatly vital in the achievement of this goal and hence it is quite apparent that the success of this achievement could not have been made possible without such a support. To the ones people have been depending on for help and support: finally, this makes me glad from the bottom of my heart.
iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .iii LIST OF IMAGES AND TABLES. viii LIST OF ABBREVIATION. Rationale for the study. Reason for choosing the topic.
Aims of the study. Significance of the study. Subject of the study. Research questions and scientific hypotheses .6 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW.
The concept of vocabulary learning. Past theoies and methods of vocabulary learning. Typical methods of vocabulary learning. Previous studies related to the topic.
Overview of the research situation. Methods of selecting the research subject. Specific research methods. Establish Statistical Research Questions.
Statistics of some typical methods. Students' level of understanding of methods used and methods not used. Frequency of use of methods. The sequence of using methods.
Subjects of study. Scope of the study. Summary of the research results. 27 CHAPTER 3: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.
Know the typical methods that students use and do not use to improve vocabulary. Know the level of student understanding of the methods. Frequency of use of methods. The sequence of using methods.
Significance of research results. Customize learning strategies for each group of students. Diversify learning methods. Encourage regular practice.
Provide regular feedback and assessment. Encourage cooperation and exchange of experiences. Access to new technology and learning tools. Limitations of the study.
Sample Size and Diversity. Self-Reported Data. Limited Scope of Methods. Short-Term Focus.
Lack of Qualitative Data. Variability in Instructional Quality. 47 Recommendations to improve the vocabulary of specialized language students at Phenikaa University. 48 On the Part of the School.
48 On the Part of Lecturers. 49 vii On the Part of Students. 50 Suggestions for Further Research .xi viii LIST OF IMAGES AND TABLES Number of diagrams and Title of diagrams Page table Table 3. The methods students used and not used 29 Table 3.
Level of student understanding of the methods 31 Table 3. Frequency of use of methods 33 Chart 3. The sequence of using methods before using 4 skills 36 Chart 3. The sequence of using methods in the process of using the 4 skills 37 ix LIST OF ABBREVIATION List of Full meaning Page Abbreviation VLS Vocabulary learning strategies i 1 INTRODUCTION 1.
Rationale for the study In the last few decades, the interest in the effects of vocabulary learning for language learners and development of vocabulary learning strategies has been an urgent and a blooming area of study in the fields of education and linguistics. Previous interrelated studies have shed light on features of acquiring and using vocabulary in learning languages. Based on the above account by Nation (2001) [1] who is among the most prominent theorists in this field, vocabulary is defined as the means, purpose, and goal of reading which entails comprehending different kinds of texts ranging from newspaper articles to learning materials. Nation also underlines that lexical acquisition is important not only as a school learning process but also for the individual’s further personality formation and essential aspect of communication– self-confidence.
In the same regard, Zimmerman (2007) [2] has elaborated on the function of employing new lexicon in a communicative context. He reminds us that doing vocabulary in real-life situations not only consolidates the knowledge but also shapes the environment which is natural and free from constraints. Nevertheless, having reviewed the literature on this issue, it is pertinent to notes that many students continue to struggle with the problematic of expanding their word knowledge. These can be in form of time limitation, college pressure or probably ineffective self-study skills.
Thus, comprehending and modeling the strategy for vocabulary enlargement has become important and evidenced as an urgent need for the students especially for the new second year English major of the Phenikaa University. Thus, in this thesis, we will focus on particular practices that one may apply to teach the second-year students at Phenikaa University more efficiently and confident in expanding their vocabulary. In this study, practical recommendations and operational terms and ways of their learning are to be introduced for the student’s incorporation into their learning process. Reason for choosing the topic In the goals and achievement of learning and work, one will be able to ascertain the significance of mastering the acquisition process of the generative vocabulary.
The education of one’s vocabulary therefore expands opportunities in understanding and using language tremendously enhances reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Was it initiated due to the research findings, closely, the curiosity, or the needs of the second-Year English Majors at Phenikaa University? Of course, the answer is all of the above, but only with justified expectations based on detailed analysis of students’ performance and difficulties. By the time they get here, students are taught about advanced language acquisition, therefore, aspect needs a strong word base to support the learners who are in a learning process to be in a position to understand lessons that are given to them. The only way they can manage the challenges resulting from complexity of the linguistic tasks is out of their ability of using vocabulary as a tool in the right and appropriate manner.
There is another reason for addressing this topic: the identification of the characteristics that may influence the mentioned second-year students when it comes to learning the new words. Some of the challenges affecting students include academic stress, time management and efficiency of the existing study processes which hinders them from improving their vocabulary. By this stage, students are overwhelmed by a number of new facts and knowledge that they want to obtain, as well as the number of learning activities that should be done – this all requires a great effort from them. Furthermore, in this sense, management and expansions of the given vocabulary unveil some challenges when learning; flexibility has to be given a consideration when learning.
Finally, this topic was chosen to maximize the relevance of the obtained result for the second-year students of the English major of Phenikaa university. From the analysis of the vocabulary enrichment strategies, this thesis aims at providing a clear and realistic method and procedure that students can use when learning vocabularY in order to provide effectiveness in the manner in which language knowledge is consumed. Our hope is that this will help the students to 3 erase obstacles in learning and to be all round developed while studying at school and also in their future profession. Aims of the study The general objective on which this study is based is to shed light on the factors for better extension of vocabulary specifically but stays more precise to the concerns and challenges faced by the second year English majors of Phenikaa University.
To achieve this overarching goal, the study delineates the following comprehensive objectives:Towards the realization of this broad objective, the following specific objectives are formulated in the study: Identification and Exploration of Effective Vocabulary Learning Strategies: The optimum aim therefore is to conduct a tremendous research on various methods of teaching of the words. This involves making assessments of the scopes of some of the teaching techniques namely: explicit teaching, inquiry, intentional and unintentional learning, word work exercises, reading comprehensively, and the use of real life documents. Therefore the role of the research, which involves identification of every strategy’s efficiency with a view to determining which of those methods corresponds to the properly determining second year English majors’ preferred and necessary learning approach. Development of Contextually Relevant and Practical Vocabulary Learning Methods: building on the findings of the present research to identify more effective practices, this study intends to find out other better and realistic approaches to the enhancement of the size of the vocabulary.
Of the above methods, an attempt will, therefore, be made to incorporate them in a way that will enhance their fit to the curriculum and learning outcomes of the second-year English majors at Phenikaa University. Additionally, the study aspires at trying to offer the students real and easy to implement solutions that are within the realm of the student’s learning process. Assessment of the Impact on Academic Performance and Language Competence: An important aspect of this study is how the process of converting lectures into a word-enhancing model impacts the students’ performance and language skills improvement.