MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING QUY NHON UNIVERSITY NGUYEN HUONG XUAN ESP LEARNERS’ VOCABULARY LEARNING AT A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN KHANH HOA PROVINCE Major: Theory and Methodology of English Language Teaching Code: 8140111 SUPERVISOR: ASSOC. NGUYEN QUANG NGOAN BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC QUY NHƠN NGUYỄN HƯƠNG XUÂN VIỆC HỌC TỪ VỰNG CHUYÊN NGÀNH CỦA HỌC SINH TẠI MỘT TRƯỜNG NGHỀ TỈNH KHÁNH HÒA Ngành: Lý luận và phương pháp dạy học bộ môn Tiếng Anh Mã số: 8140111 Người hướng dẫn: PGS. Nguyễn Quang Ngoạn DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP The thesis entitled “ ESP learners’ vocabulary learning at a vocational school in Khanh Hoa province” is conducted under the supervision of Assoc. Nguyen Quang Ngoan, a lecturer working at the Department of Foreign Languages, Quy Nhon University.
I declare that the information reported in this study is the result of my own work and effort, except where due reference is made. The thesis has not been accepted for any degree and is not concurrently submitted to any candidature for any degree or diploma. Binh Dinh, ………… 2023 Nguyen Huong Xuan ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Without the support, encouragement, and contributions from my lecturers, colleagues, friends and family, the successful completion of this thesis work would not have been possible. I take this chance to appreciate them for their expert advice, invaluable comments, and generous time.
They have enriched my knowledge and made my graduate journey a memorable chapter in my life. First and foremost, I am grateful to my thesis supervisor, Assoc. Nguyen Quang Ngoan, for his amazing supervision. His outstanding knowledge and EFL teaching expertise inspired me greatly during my academic life at Quy Nhon University, and he opened new horizons for me in the field.
I appreciate his accommodating guidelines and suggestions, great patience, and strong management skills in helping me resolve the obstacles during the time I carried out my thesis. I feel fortunate to have had him support for my work. This study was made achievable by the presence of the enthusiastic students at a vocational school in Khanh Hoa province, who devoted their time taking part in this research. I was also thankful to my colleagues for their fascinating assistance, support and management during the pilot phase.
A special thank goes to my dear friends: Mrs. Thao and Mrs. They not only encouraged me when I face obstacles during my thesis, but also gave me valuable insights into my thesis. I am very lucky to know all of them.
Last, but not least, I am grateful to all the support and encouragement I received from my beloved parents and my sister throughout my thesis education. ABSTRACT This study delves into the intricate process of vocabulary acquisition among English for Specific Purposes (ESP) learners within the context of a vocational school in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. It employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data, to explore the vocabulary learning strategies utilized by ESP learners and to identify their perceived challenges and preferences in vocabulary acquisition. The research findings reveal valuable insights into the specific needs and preferences of ESP learners, shedding light on the strategies that prove most effective in enhancing their vocabulary knowledge.
Additionally, this study examines the influence of various factors, including learners’ motivation, instructional methods, and the role of technology, on the vocabulary learning process. Through a comprehensive analysis of ESP learners' vocabulary learning practices, this thesis contributes to the existing literature on language learning strategies and provides practical recommendations for educators and curriculum developers. Ultimately, the outcomes of this research aim to facilitate more tailored and effective vocabulary instruction at vocational schools in Khanh Hoa Province and beyond, equipping ESP learners with the language skills necessary for success in their future careers. Keywords: ESP, vocabulary acquisition, vocational school, Khanh Hoa Province, ESP learners, language learning strategies, specialized language skills.
TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP. v TABLE OF CONTENTS. vi LIST OF TABLES. xi LIST OF FIRGURES.
xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. Research aims and objectives. Scope of the study. Significance of the study.
Structure of the thesis. 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. An overview of ESP. Definition of ESP.
Classification of ESP. Characteristics of ESP. Vocabulary and ESP vocabulary. Definition of vocabulary .The importance of vocabulary in language learning.
Difficulties in learning vocabulary. The previous research about vocabulary learning strategies. ESP vocabulary and its classification. ESP vocabulary definition.
ESP vocabulary categories. ESP vocabulary learning .Challenges in ESP vocabulary learning. Strategies for ESP vocabulary learning. ESP learners at vocational school.
The concept of ESP learners. Vocational school and vocational education. Research setting and participants. The coursebook “English for Restaurants workers(Second edition) ” for formal face-to-face instruction.
Vocabulary activities employed in the intervention time. Instruments to collect data. Semi-structured interviews. 36 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION.
Findings of the survey questionnaires .Students’ difficulties in learning ESP vocabulary process. Solutions for helping ESP learners learn vocabulary. Findings of the semi-structured interviews. Students’ difficulties in learning ESP vocabulary.
Lack of effective strategies for learning ESP vocabulary. Lack of GE vocabulary and specialized knowledge .The contextual problems .Solutions to learning ESP vocabulary .Enhancing the necessary GE knowledge .Developing effective strategies of vocabulary learning .Solutions to the contextual problems. 64 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS. Summary of the study.
Limitations and suggestions for further research. 72 APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRE OF ESP VOCABULARY LEARNING PROBLEMS. 1 APPENDIX 2: QUESTIONNAIRE OF ESP VOCABULARY LEARNING TECHNIQUES. 9 APPENDIX 3: SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS.
18 APPENDIX 4: TRANSCRIPTION OF THE SEMI-STRUCTURED. 19 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS EGP: English for General Purposes ESP: English for Specific Purposes EOP: English for Occupational Purposes GE: General English L1: First Language L2: Second Language T: Teacher S: Students LIST OF TABLES Table 1. ESP vocabulary activities employed in the intervention time. Students’ difficulties in learning ESP vocabulary.
Students’ ways of learning ESP vocabulary. Evaluation of ESP vocabulary teaching techniques .54 LIST OF FIRGURES Figure 1. ESP classification by professional area (Dudley-Evans and St John, 1998, p. Students’s General English competence at vocational school.
Students’ attitudes towards the importance of vocabulary learning. Skill that students found the most difficult due to the lack of vocabulary 39 Figure 5. The purposes of learning ESP vocabulary. Word aspect that students found the most difficult.
Problems have influenced students’ motivation and interest. ESP students’ motivation and interest at school. Factors influencing on ESP students in vocabulary leaning at school. Students’ sollutions when meeting a new word .49 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION This chapter outlines the basis for the study, encompassing the theoretical and contextual foundation that explains the researcher's motivation for conducting this research.
Also, details about the aim and objectives, research questions, scope, significance, and organization of the thesis are introduced. Research rationale Language is the keystone of communication, the bridge that connects individuals with the world and with each other. Within the vast spectrum of language acquisition, the mastery of specialized vocabulary holds a profound significance, particularly for learners of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). This thesis embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the vocabulary learning journey of ESP students within the unique vocational school setting in Khanh Hoa province.
The heart of our inquiry lies in addressing the pressing needs and challenges faced by these learners in mastering the specialized vocabulary essential to their future careers. As we dive into this research, we heed the wisdom of Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This quote resonates deeply with the mission of our study: to empower ESP learners with the linguistic tools they need to transform their professional worlds.Theoretical Reasons The theoretical foundation of our research is grounded in the understanding that language acquisition is a multifaceted process influenced by cognitive, sociocultural, and pedagogical factors. To quote renowned linguist Stephen Krashen, "Language acquisition does not require extensive use of conscious grammatical rules, and does not require tedious drill." Our theoretical rationale highlights that language learning is most effective when it is meaningful, contextual, and imbued with relevance to the learners' specific needs and goals. ESP students often embark on their language learning journey with a distinct set of objectives, seeking language proficiency that is tailored to their chosen fields.
Our study acknowledges that the theoretical framework for ESP vocabulary 2 learning should not only address the acquisition of words but also provide a deep understanding of the contexts and situations in which these words are used. By emphasizing the experiential and situation-specific aspects of learning, we intend to meet the unique theoretical needs of ESP students. Contextual Reasons The contextual dimension of our research is rooted in the recognition that Khanh Hoa province serves as a unique backdrop for the study of ESP vocabulary learning. Quoting Paulo Freire, the influential education philosopher, "Education either functions as an instrument that is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity, or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which men and women deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world." This context-based understanding underscores the transformative potential of vocational education, particularly in a province where tradition and progress converge.
The challenges of ESP vocabulary learning are contextualized within the dynamics of vocational schools that prepare students for diverse careers in tourism, fisheries, and industry. The specific needs of learners within this regional and professional context necessitate an investigation into the unique difficulties they encounter. By understanding this context, we can better tailor our proposed solutions to align with the local demands of Khanh Hoa province. As an educator in Khanh Hoa province, I have witnessed the authentic struggles and aspirations of ESP learners in their journey toward mastery of specialized vocabulary.
Each student embodies a unique story, a set of dreams, and an appetite for practical knowledge. It is their determination and my role as an educator that have motivated me to initiate this research. My experiences as a teacher have not only revealed the specific challenges faced by ESP learners but have also deepened my commitment to offering concrete solutions. I view my role as extending beyond the classroom to encompass research that provides pedagogical strategies capable of empowering ESP learners in Khanh Hoa province.
Owing to these reasons, they inspired the researcher to carry out this 3 study “ESP learners’ vocabulary learning at a vocational school in Khanh Hoa province”. By synthesizing theoretical, contextual, and pedagogical reasons, this thesis aims to unravel the intricacies of ESP vocabulary learning, while offering effective solutions to the difficulties faced by learners in vocational schools. These solutions are intended to bridge the gap between the specialized language needs of their professions and the practical tools required for linguistic proficiency. Research aims and objectives 1.
Research aims The research is carried out to study the current situation and problems of ESP learners’ vocabulary learning at a vocational school in Khanh Hoa province. The results of the study are to suggest some feasible solutions to help ESP students learn vocabulary more effectively. Objectives Specifically, the following objectives are generated: - To find out the difficulties in learning vocabulary as perceived by ESP learners. - To explore the solutions to improve ESP learners ’vocabulary learning.
Research questions With the aims above, the research is carried out in an attempt to find out the answers to the following questions: 1. What are the problems in learning vocabulary, as perceived by the investigated ESP learners? 2. What are the solutions for helping ESP learners learn vocabulary? 1. Scope of the study The study was conducted at a vocational training school in Khanh Hoa province in Vietnam.