VIET NAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HA NOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST – GRADUATE STUDIES ***************** TRẦN THỊ HÀ THU AN INVESTIGATION INTO USING COMPILATION OF THEME – BASED LEXICAL LISTS ON PRIMARY STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY RETENTION (Dạy từ vựng cho học sinh tiểu học thông qua phương pháp sưu tập từ theo nhóm) M.A MINOR THESIS Field: English teaching methodology Code: 8140231.01 Hanoi, 2019 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com VIET NAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HA NOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST – GRADUATE STUDIES ***************** TRẦN THỊ HÀ THU AN INVESTIGATION INTO USING COMPILATION OF THEME – BASED LEXICAL LISTS ON PRIMARY STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY RETENTION (Dạy từ vựng cho học sinh tiểu học thông qua phương pháp sưu tập từ theo nhóm) M.A MINOR THESIS Field : English teaching methodology Code : 8140231. MAI THỊ LOAN Hanoi, 2019 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com DECLARATION I hereby state that I, Trần Thị Hà Thu, being a candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts, accept the requirement of the University relating to the retention and use of M. Thesis deposited in the library. I certify my authorship of the thesis: An investigation into using compilation of theme-based lexical lists on primary students’ vocabulary retention is the result of my own, and this thesis has not been submitted for any degree at any other university or institution.
Hanoi, 2019 Tran Thi Ha Thu i LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com ACKNOWLEDMENTS First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor, Dr, Mai Thị Loan for her valuable guide, patient support and encouragement in the completion of this M. I am so grateful to the writers of many books and Web pages I read which have stimulated my thinking on doing this paper. This study has been also completed with the invaluable help and the co – operation of the students and the English teachers at Khanh Nhac A Primary School. Without their enthusiastic contribution and cooperation, this research would certainly not have been completed.
Finally, I am greatly thankful to my family and friends, who are forever a great source of support and encouragement. ii LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com ABSTRACT The study aims at investigating the use of compilation of theme-based lexical lists in teaching vocabulary to primary students at a primary school in Ninh Binh. In order to fulfill the aim of the study, the instruments employed to collect data were test, classroom observations and questionnaire for the students. The results of the data analysis indicate that the students gave prominence to vocabulary teaching and learning through compilation of theme-based lexical lists.
The students also achieved considerable progress in their vocabulary retention after attending vocabulary lessons using compilation of theme-based lexical lists. In addition, the findings of the research point out some recommendations to better situation for the benefits of the students, some of which are choosing well-suited materials, using compilation of theme-based lexical lists in combination with other activities such as games and mind-mapping. The study is hoped to meet the teachers’ needs, increase the motivation of learners and teachers during learning vocabulary process. iii LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION.
iii LISTS OF ABBREVIATIONS .vii LISTS OF TABLES AND FIGURES. viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. Aims and objectives of the study. Method of the study.
Scope of the study. Significance of the study. Structure of the study. 3 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.
Previous studies on theme-based teaching. Vocabulary in English teaching and learning. Definition of vocabulary. Types of vocabulary.
Aspects of vocabulary knowledge. The role of vocabulary in English teaching and learning. Teaching English to young learners. Characteristics of young learners.
Teaching English vocabulary to young learners. Methods in vocabulary teaching. The Grammar -Translation Method. The Direct Method.
The Audio-Lingual Method. 15 iv LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail. Communicative Language Teaching. Compilation of theme-based lexical lists in English vocabulary teaching and learning.
Theme-based teaching approach. Planning vocabulary teaching using compilation of theme-based lexical lists18 2. 19 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY. The setting of the study.
Data collection instruments. Data collection procedure. Data analysis procedure. 25 CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION.
Analysis of test. Analysis of classroom observations. Analysis of questionnaire for students. Limitations and suggestions for further study.
47 v LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail. II APPENDIX 2: CLASSROOM OBSERVATION CHECKLIST. II APPENDIX 3A: QUESTIONNAIRE (ENGLISH VERSION). VIII APPENDIX 4: THE FORMULA OF MEAN, MEDIAN AND STANDARD DEVIATION.
XI APPENDIX 5: PHIẾU ĐỒNG THUẬN THAM GIA NGHIÊN CỨU. XVII vi LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com LISTS OF ABBREVIATIONS CBI : Content-Based Instruction CLT : Communicative Language Teaching GTM : Grammar Translation Method UK : United Kingdom US : United States % : Percentage vii LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com LISTS OF TABLES AND FIGURES Table 2. What is involved in knowing a word. Brainstorming and making webs.
Results of pretest scores of experimental class and control class. Results of posttest scores of experimental class and control class. Descriptive statistics for the pretest and posttest scores of experimental class and control class. Teacher’s instruction in the classroom.
Materials in the classroom. The teachers’ frequency of applying compilation of theme-based lexical lists in English classes. Students’ comments on English lessons using compilation of theme- based lexical lists. Students’ involvement in English classes using compilation of theme- based lexical lists.
Students’ assessment of the difficulty of learning vocabulary through compilation of theme-based lexical lists. Students’ assessment of their vocabulary retention after lessons using compilation of theme-based lexical lists. Ways of presenting the meaning of words that students like. Kinds of tasks students would like to be involved.
Students’ preferred themes in English lessons implementing compilation of theme-based lexical lists. Students’ favorite kinds of activity organization in English classes .40 viii LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale Today, with the world’s borders more porous than ever, coming along with the international globalization and technological advancements, the importance of foreign languages is obviously proved. Foreign language can be considered as an effective tool to deepen our understanding and appreciation for the rich and complex world we are living in.
English, which is the most common language, has been now widely taught in almost every school in Vietnam. Besides four main skills of English including listening, reading, speaking and writing, it is necessary to consider the importance of vocabulary which is not only the tool for expressing ideas but also the basis to improve the four skills. Underlining the essential role of vocabulary acquisition, Schmitt (2000:55) likens lexical knowledge to center of communicative competence and the acquisition of a second language”. Therefore, vocabulary is presented throughout every unit in the English textbook published by the Ministry of Education and Training, integrated into four skills in English lessons.
Being a teacher of English, I am well aware of the importance of applying effective methods in teaching vocabulary to primary students. The previous studies have provided various methods of teaching vocabulary at primary schools. Pham Thị Thu Trang (2012) conducted a study on teaching vocabulary to primary students by using story telling method. Vũ Thị Thanh Tâm (2012) introduced an action research on using stories and drama in vocabulary teaching.
Besides, Naveen (2009) proved the effect of other vocabulary teaching methods including definitions, antonyms, synonyms, pictures and drawings. At Khanh Nhac A Primary School, the teachers of English have applied variety of methods and strategies to teach vocabulary in English lessons including compilation of theme-based lexical lists. However, from the researcher’s experience, the application of compilation of theme-based lexical lists has not been scientifically considered. In other words, the 1 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com teachers are not well aware of teaching vocabulary to primary students based on a theme thorough the whole lesson.
This motivates the author to conduct the study “An investigation into using compilation of theme-based lexical lists on primary students’ vocabulary retention”. Aims and objectives of the study The study aims at investigating the use of compilation of theme-based lexical lists in teaching vocabulary to primary students. This overall aim leads to the following objectives: (1) To investigate the effectiveness of teaching vocabulary through compilation of theme-based lexical lists. (2) To investigate the current situation of vocabulary teaching and learning by using compilation of theme-based lexical lists at Khanh Nhac A Primary School.
(3) To give some recommendations to improve vocabulary teaching through compilation of theme-based lexical lists. Research questions Based on the aims of the study, the following questions are raised for exploration: (1) To what extent does compilation of theme-based lexical lists affect students’ vocabulary retention? (2) What is the current situation of vocabulary teaching and learning by using compilation of theme-based lexical lists? (3) What are some recommendations on vocabulary teaching through compilation of theme-based lexical lists? 1. Method of the study The study was carried out by these steps: First, the pre-test were administrated to the students in experimental and control class. 2 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com Second, compilation of theme-based lexical lists was applied in the English lessons in experimental classes in four weeks.
Simultaneously, classroom observations were made by the researcher in order to discover the use of compilation of theme-based lexical lists in English lessons. After that, the questionnaire was delivered to forty students of experimental class to investigate their attitudes toward learning vocabulary through compilation of theme- based lexical lists as well as their recommendations to promote teaching and learning vocabulary in classes. The post-test were administrated after four weeks of applying compilation of theme-based lexical lists to investigate the students’ vocabulary retention after the course. Finally, the collected data was summarized and analyzed to lead to the major findings and give the answers to the research questions.
Scope of the study The study was conducted with the participation of eighty 4th grade students at Khanh Nhac A Primary School to investigate the use of compilation of theme-based lexical lists on primary students’ vocabulary retention. Therefore, teaching vocabulary to students in other grades and the teaching of the other vocabulary strategies would be beyond the scope. Significance of the study The study contributes to the theory of teaching vocabulary by using compilation of theme-based lexical lists. In addition, the results of this study can help teachers of English at Khanh Nhac A Primary School in particular and other schools in general to effectively apply compilation of theme-based lexical lists in order to improve their students’ vocabulary retention.
Structure of the study The study consists of three parts. Each part deals with different aspects of the study: Chapter 1 presents the introduction of the study including the rationale, aims and 3 LUAN VAN CHAT LUONG download : add luanvanchat@agmail.com objectives, research questions, method, scope and design of the study. Chapter 2 is the Literature Review. In this chapter, the writer focuses on some main points: the role and types of vocabulary in English teaching and learning, the importance and the characteristics of teaching vocabulary to primary children, methods of vocabulary teaching and compilation of theme-based lexical lists in vocabulary teaching.
Chapter 3 focuses on Research Methodology which includes the description of the setting and the participants of the study. Data collection instruments and data analysis procedure are also introduced. Chapter 4 – Data analysis and Discussion aims at analyzing the collected data. Based on the analysis, some discussion on the use of compilation of theme-based lexical lists on primary students’ vocabulary retention was given.