THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION PHUNG HOAI LINH ENHANCING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS FOR THE 7th GRADERS BY USING DRAMA ACTIVITIES IN A LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL MASTER THESIS THAI NGUYEN - 2023 THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION PHUNG HOAI LINH ENHANCING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS FOR THE 7th GRADERS BY USING DRAMA ACTIVITIES IN A LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL Major: English teaching theories & methodologies Code: 8140111 MASTER THESIS Instructor: Ngo Thi Bich Ngoc, Ph.D THAI NGUYEN - 2023 i DECLARATION I hereby declare that this thesis paper is the result of my own research and that should this declaration be found to be false, disciplinary measures could be taken and penalties imposed in accordance with university policies and rules. Thai Nguyen, 2023 Student Phung Hoai Linh ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and support of many individuals in assisting me to accomplish this study. First and foremost, I would like to give my gratitude to my master thesis proposal supervisor: Ms. Ngo Thi Bich Ngoc for her valuable time, suggestions, guidance, and assistance in this study.
She always guides me with valuable suggestions, helpful comments and whole-hearted guidance during my implementation of this study. Without her help, the master thesis proposal would not have been possible. I also want to thank the cooperation of the freshmen studying at Faculty of Foreign Languages Education, Thai Nguyen University of Education, especially 40 students who helped me to collect data for the study. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere thanks to my family, my close friends who gave me their supports and constant encouragements to fulfill my study.
iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION. vi LIST OF TABLES. vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. Aims and Objectives.
Scope of the study. Definition of Terms. Organization of the study. 6 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.
The strategies of speaking process. Features of drama activities. Benefits of drama activities. Teaching speaking using drama activities technique.
Guidelines to use drama activities. Drama activities in teaching and speaking. Context of the study. Subjects of the study.
Method of the study. Models for using drama activities learning platforms in teaching English speaking. Data collection instruments. The procedure of data collection.
32 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION. The questionnaire result. Question 1: Have you ever participated in a drama activity in your English class before?. Question 2: How confident do you feel about speaking English in front of others?.
Question 3: How often do you practice speaking English outside of class?. Question 4: How interested are you in participating in drama activities in your English class?. Question 5: Have you noticed any improvement in your English speaking skills after participating in drama activities?. Question 6: In your opinion, how effective do you think drama activities are in enhancing English speaking skills?.
Question 7: How comfortable are you with acting out different characters in a drama activity?. Question 8: Do you think that drama activities help you remember English vocabulary and grammar better?. Question 9: Have you ever performed a drama activity in front of an audience before?. Question 10: Would you like to participate in more drama activities in your English class in the future?.
The progress test’s result. The Midterm Speaking Test and Final Speaking Test’s result. Summary of the study. Limitations of the study.
Suggestions for further study. Implications and Comparison with Previous Research. Future Considerations and Conclusion. 93 vi ABSTRACT This master's thesis delves into the utilization of drama activities as a potent tool for enhancing the English speaking proficiency of 7th-grade students within a lower secondary school setting.
Employing a comprehensive mixed-methods approach encompassing both action research and meticulous analysis, this study addresses the research questions that underscore the efficacy and implications of drama-based interventions. The outcomes unveiled substantial enhancements in students' confidence, fluency, and accuracy in their English speaking abilities consequent to their active engagement in drama activities. Additionally, the study highlights a notable positive inclination of the students towards integrating drama activities into their English learning process. These findings collectively reinforce the assertion that drama activities offer an efficacious and enjoyable avenue for augmenting English speaking skills among lower secondary school students.
By virtue of its insights, this study bestows valuable practical implications upon educators and curriculum designers. These implications span the realm of pedagogy, elucidating strategies for seamlessly integrating drama activities into English language instruction. In effect, this study augments the arsenal of educational tools and methods that can significantly contribute to the holistic development of students' language proficiency and overall communication aptitude. vii LIST OF TABLES Diagram 3.
Students participated in a drama activity in their English class. Students' confidence about speaking English in front of others. Students' routine about practicing speaking English outside of class. Students' interest in participating in drama activities in their English class.
Students' notice improvement in their English speaking skills after participating in drama activities. Students' thought about drama activities are effective in enhancing English speaking skills. Students' thought about their comfortable with acting out different characters in a drama activity. Students' thought about drama activities help them remember English vocabulary and grammar better.
Students' performance a drama activity in front of an audience before. Students' thought about participating in more drama activities in your English class in the future. The progress test’s result in 8 weeks. Midterm Speaking Test and Final Speaking Test’s result .47 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION The purpose of this chapter is to provide readers with an overview of the study, including its rationale, aims, objectives, scope, and significance.
The research questions and the study's organizational structure are also illustrated, to provide clear guidance throughout the entire study. Rationale English has become a ubiquitous language, and its prevalence has made it an essential tool for global communication and academic purposes. In today's world, proficiency in English has become a vital objective for many students, particularly those in lower secondary schools. Among the various language skills, speaking is undoubtedly a crucial aspect of language proficiency and is often considered the most challenging for language learners.
The traditional approach to teaching speaking skills, which primarily emphasizes grammar and vocabulary, has proven to be insufficient in developing fluency and confidence needed for effective communication. In the past, language teachers focused mainly on grammar and vocabulary exercises, such as memorizing grammar rules, learning vocabulary lists, and drilling verb tenses. However, such activities did not provide learners with the opportunity to develop their speaking skills in a more interactive and engaging environment. Consequently, alternative teaching methods are required to supplement traditional language instruction and support the development of speaking skills.
Effective speaking skills are essential in both personal and professional settings, and they enable individuals to express themselves, communicate ideas, and build relationships. Speaking is perhaps the most natural and common form of human communication, and it represents the most enjoyable component of any language. Moreover, individuals communicate more often through speaking than writing, and thus, speaking is the primary goal of anyone learning a foreign language. 2 Despite its importance, learners may face several challenges when developing their speaking skills, such as shyness, lack of confidence, fear of judgment by others, laziness, and other factors.
Overcoming such difficulties can be challenging, and learners may become disinterested in learning, leading to stress and boredom. Therefore, creating a supportive learning environment that encourages learners to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from their experiences is essential in developing learners' speaking skills. Alternative teaching methods, such as role-plays, debates, discussions, and simulations, can help learners develop their speaking skills by providing them with opportunities to practice in a safe and supportive environment. Teachers should use such approaches to create an interactive and engaging learning environment that encourages learners to participate actively and feel comfortable practicing their speaking skills.
By adopting such methods, learners can develop fluency and confidence in speaking English, which will enable them to communicate effectively and build stronger relationships both personally and professionally. During observation with lower secondary school student Chu Van An, an obvious problem was discovered when dealing with speaking activities. Students seem to use their first language most of the time, with little or no effort in practicing speaking skills. In addition, they feel embarrassed and restrained when speaking in front of their partner, appearing annoyed, preoccupied, and uncooperative.
Therefore, the first step in conducting this study is to discover why students are finding it difficult and then find some suggestions for solving the problem. Although 7th graders learn a foreign language, especially in textbooks, lessons are focused on faithfully sticking to book structure and syllabus, and students can rarely cooperate. Alternatively, express their ideas. The teacher tried to involve them in the activities.
Still, getting their attention and getting them to speak English was challenging, especially if the exercises were done without context. Students may feel they are not the real protagonist of the class, so they act passively. They must move around the classroom, collaborate in peer and group 3 activities, talk about exciting and relevant topics, and give their opinions. They must engage in more student-centered lessons.
Aims and Objectives The main objectives of the study were to analyze the impact of drama activities on the development of students' speaking ability at Chu Van An Lower Secondary School, to determine the efficacy of drama in improving students' speaking ability, and to examine students' attitudes towards speaking ability through the drama technique. The investigation was also conducted according to the following specific objectives: - Reviewed the literature on the use of drama activities in language education and their impact on speaking skills. - Conducted a case study in a lower secondary school where 7th grade students participated in drama activities as part of their English language classes. - Assessed the students' speaking skills before and after the intervention using a standardized test.
- Analyzed the results and compared the improvement in speaking skills before and after the intervention. - Provided insights into the potential benefits of using drama activities in enhancing speaking skills and informed language education practices in lower secondary schools. Scope of the study The primary purpose of this study was to find the answer to the question, “How can I improve my students' speaking skills?” The study was completed within the scope of an action study conducted by English teachers (first author) and 7th- grade students at Chu Van An Lower Secondary School. First, relevant 4 documentation was reviewed.
At the end of the review, we considered creative drama activities could improve speaking skills. This development can positively influence students' attitudes toward the course and their attitudes and can help students succeed in the following tasks. Creative drama-based activities have been prepared and implemented based on this idea. The study’s secondary objective was to test the effectiveness of performance in achieving speaking speed in seventh- grade English lessons.
Through analysis of 7th graders at Chu Van An Lower Secondary School, this study wants to demonstrate that the use of dramatic techniques increases overall interest in the classroom and, therefore, improves students' speech because there can be no improvement in a language without motivation. This investigation will hopefully guide teachers in creating ideal drama activities by engaging students' interests, making real communication needs, and improving students' speaking skills. Research questions The research questions for this study are: Question 1. To what extent are Drama activities effective in enhancing the seventh graders’ speaking ability? Question 2.
What are the students’ attitudes toward the use drama-based lessons? 1. Definition of Terms Drama-based activities use active and dramatic approaches to engage students' learning through meaningful dialogue. Activities include drama, discussion, and role-playing and can be incorporated into classroom instruction.