MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE HANOI UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY MAI THI DINH AN INSIGHT ON ENGLISH VOCABULARY LEARNING THROUGH THE EOP SYSTEM OF ENGLISH NON-MAJOR STUDENTS AT HAUI MASTER THESIS IN ENGLISH LINGUISTICS Hanoi, 2024 MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE HANOI UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY MAI THI DINH AN INSIGHT ON ENGLISH VOCABULARY LEARNING THROUGH THE EOP SYSTEM OF ENGLISH NON-MAJOR STUDENTS AT HAUI Major: English Linguistics Code: 8220201 MASTER THESIS IN ENGLISH LINGUISTICS SUPERVISOR: Dr. Tran Ngoc Duc Hanoi 3 2024 i DECLARATION BY THE AUTHOR This thesis is free from any previously published content by any other individual, save where proper recognition has been given. This thesis does not include any content that has been acknowledged for the attainment of any other academic degree or qualification at any university. Date: ____________________ Author’s signature Mai Thi Dinh ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This dissertation signifies the culmination of an extensive expedition.
From the inception of the project until the day of submission, I was subjected to a great deal of pressure, including locating a supervisor, locating reference materials, comprehending the materials, obtaining permission to collect data, and subsequently interpreting and analysing the collected data. Fortunately, I can complete it with the assistance of numerous individuals. Without those individuals, I would have been unable to accomplish this mission. This acknowledgment is to convey my appreciation to the fervent supporters who have assisted in the implementation of this thesis over the past few months.
Prior to anything else, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Tran Ngoc Duc, for his unwavering support, expertise, and knowledge, which enabled me to successfully complete the research. His encouragement, contribution, and tolerance for my procrastination are greatly appreciated. Furthermore, I wish to extend my most sincere gratitude to the faculty members at Hanoi University of Industry for their invaluable assistance throughout the data collection.
The ardent participation of the second-year students at Hanoi University of Industry is duly recognized. Their invaluable contributions in the form of sharing and complementation significantly augmented the data pool for the study. Sincere appreciation is also extended to all of my husband and my parents, whose unwavering support has enabled me to surmount the challenges encountered throughout this research. In conclusion, I express gratitude towards myself for persevering through the challenges of sleep deprivation, managing the stress associated with studying and working concurrently and completing this study to the present day.
iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION BY THE AUTHOR. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS.vi LIST OF TABLES. vii LIST OF FIGURES. Aims and objectives of the study.
Scope of the study. Significance of the Study. 2 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW. VOCABULARY ACQUISITION THEORIES.
The definition of vocabulary. Theoretical framework of teaching English vocabulary. Stimulus-Response Association. Repetition and Practice.
English vocabulary teaching approaches. Direct vocabulary instruction. Task-based language teaching. Technology-enhanced English vocabulary learning.
English vocabulary learning approaches. The use of dictionaries and technological resources. BLENDED LEARNING APPROACH. Definition of blended learning.
Blended learning model. Blended learning at HaUI. Role of Technology in Blended Learning. EOP in general.
EOP system at HaUI. Vocabulary section in particular. Vocabulary learning in other sections. Role of Teachers in Vocabulary Instruction through EOP system.
Role of Learners in Vocabulary Instruction through EOP system. In the world. 30 CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY. DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS.
36 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSIONS. THE IMPROVEMENT OF PARTICIPANTS’ VOCABULARY LEARNING THROUGH EOP SYSTEM. The descriptive statistics. The paired-samples t-test.
PARTICIPANTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF ENGLISH VOCABULARY LEARNING THROUGH THE EOP SYSTEM. The suitability of the level of vocabulary on EOP system. Opinion about the forms of exercises. Students’ application of major-related vocabulary.
The reflection about the effectiveness of EOP system. Suggestions to EOP system. Suggestions for further studies. 61 vi ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of the EOP (English for Occupational Purposes) system on the vocabulary learning progress of second-year non-English major students at Hanoi University of Industry through a comprehensive blend of quantitative and qualitative analyses involving 30 participants.
Quantitative data reveals a substantial increase in mean scores from pre-test to post-test, supported by paired t-test validation, affirming the positive influence of the EOP system on vocabulary acquisition. In-depth qualitative analysis highlights positive aspects, including the system's suitability for learners' proficiency levels, practical application of vocabulary, and support for traditional classroom learning. Conversely, identified challenges encompass the perceived monotony of exercises and a lack of communication activities. The study suggests pedagogical implications, emphasizing the potential for blended learning approaches and personalized instruction.
However, the limitations, notably the difficulty in controlling confounding variables, underscore the need for future research to employ randomized controlled trials and explore the sustained impact of the EOP system over an extended duration. These findings contribute to the discourse on language learning technologies, guiding educators and developers in optimizing online platforms for enhanced language acquisition. Keyword: blended learning, vocabulary learning, EOP system vii LIST OF TABLES Table 3.1: Paired Samples Statistics .2: Paired Samples Correlations .3: Paired Samples Test. 41 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1: The rotation model (Horn & Staker, 2011) .1: Seven sections in one unit on EOP system .2: Word presentation in dictionaries form.3: Vocabulary dictionary on EOP system .4: "Choose correct answer" exercise in Grammar section on EOP system .1: The research design of the present study.
35 ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS CALL: Computer-assisted Language Learning EOP: English for Occupational Purposes EFL: English as Foreign Language ESL: English as Second Language ESP: English for Specific Purposes HaUI: Hanoi University of Industry L2: Second language LMS: Learning management system OALD: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary TBLT: Task-based Language Teaching RCTs: Randomized controlled trials SPSS: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 1 INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale As the world becomes more interconnected, it is imperative that languages become standardized across borders. Without a doubt, English will be the most pivotal language. Most Vietnamese universities recognized it, and English become one of the most important subjects.
Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) is not an exception. The acquisition of vocabulary holds significant importance in the process of learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). In order to achieve proficiency in English, it is imperative for students to consistently enhance their vocabulary knowledge. Given that individuals are not fully exposed to a setting where English is the predominant language, it becomes imperative to engage in focused and intentional vocabulary acquisition.
A robust lexicon enables English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners to comprehend texts of higher complexity, articulate more intricate concepts in oral and written communication, and cultivate enhanced self-assurance in language proficiency. At HaUI, instructors utilize a blended learning approach via the English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) system to facilitate effective vocabulary acquisition. This combines traditional face-to-face instruction with online self-study modules. Learners access EOP to study new terms independently via games, quizzes, and interactive exercises.
In class, teachers reinforce this knowledge through dialogues, role-plays, discussions, and tasks requiring vocabulary use. This exposure from multiple angles boosts retention and usage. This study provides valuable understanding of how effective the English for Occupational Purposes (EOP) system is for building vocabulary competence. As English mastery grows increasingly vital for workplaces globally, developing lexicon is essential for HaUI graduates to access professional opportunities.
This study generates data evaluating EOP's blended model of combining online self-directed vocabulary practice with teacher reinforcement in a classroom setting. The findings will help refine HaUI's English training to empower second-year non-English major students with occupation-oriented language ability. Overall, this research examines optimized vocabulary instruction critical for employability in Vietnam's globalized economy. Aims and objectives of the study This study investigates the effectiveness of the EOP system in enhancing vocabulary learning, explores the strategies students use, and identifies potential challenges faced in the process.
From there, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of vocabulary acquisition for second-year non-English major students at HaUI through the use of the EOP system. By considering these aspects, this study contributes to the existing literature on language education and offers insights into optimizing vocabulary instruction for second-year students. two are not English majors in vocational contexts. Research questions To achieve the above purposes, this study focused on answering the following two questions: 1, To what extent is the English vocabulary learning of second-year non-English major students improved through the EOP system in a blended course at HaUI? 2, What are second-year non-English major students' perceptions of English vocabulary learning through the EOP system in a blended course at HaUI? 4.
Scope of the study The research involved 30 second-year Electric and Electronic Engineering students from Hanoi University of Industry. These candidates have a thorough understanding of the system because they have successfully completed English for Electric and Electronic Engineering 1 and English for Electric and Electronic Engineering 2 in particular. The choice of Electric and Electronic Engineering as the major is based on the significant number of students in the industry and the crucial role of English in this field. These standards aim to maintain uniformity in several aspects.
Firstly, it is ensured that students admitted to the program possess comparable levels of proficiency. Secondly, it is guaranteed that student evaluation exams maintain a high level of uniformity and reliability. Significance of the Study Since the 1970s, studies on effective methods for learning a new language have been widely conducted, with a focus on vocabulary acquisition. Uhl & Michael O’malley (1986) research showed that almost any method for learning a language can be utilized to improve one's vocabulary.
3 The combination of face-to-face learning in class and online learning at home is one of the methods that are increasingly popular. Specifically, Hanoi University of Industry has developed an EOP system to support its students. During the operation of the system, there seems to be no research that really focuses on testing its effectiveness in helping students learn vocabulary. Therefore, this study is expected to provide appropriate comments, assessments and suggestions so that the EOP system can best contribute to second-year non-English major students’ English vocabulary learning in the near future.
4 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW 1. VOCABULARY ACQUISITION THEORIES 1. The definition of vocabulary The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (OALD) defines vocabulary as "all the words known and used by a particular person" as well as "all the words in a language" and "the words used when talking about a particular subject." From a language learning perspective, vocabulary refers specifically to the body of words students must learn, understand, and use correctly to effectively communicate ideas and information in both spoken and written English. This encompasses individual word meanings and patterns as well as fixed phrases and expressions suited for particular contexts.
Nation (2001) presented that vocabulary knowledge refers to 3 main areas as following: Form: Spoken, Written, Word parts Meaning: Form and meaning, Concepts and references, Associations Use: Grammatical functions, Collocations, Constraints to use Vocabulary is sometimes defined narrowly as the number of words one knows and their definitions. Another meaning of vocabulary can be an alphabetized list of words and their definitions. A word's definition in most linguistic studies is a composite of its meaning, register, association, collocation, grammatical behavior, spelling, pronunciation, and frequency in both written and spoken forms. There are seven facets of a word beyond its definition that must be mastered in order to use it effectively.
Word knowledge is characterized by the aforementioned qualities (Schmitt, 2000). The complexity of terminology is hidden by these seemingly simple definitions. There are two primary ways in which humans interact with language: orally, via hearing and speaking, and visually, through reading and writing. In addition, there are two types of word knowledge: receiving information and creating new information.
Words that we know when we hear or see them are part of our receptive vocabulary.