VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH MATH AND SCIENCES: A STUDY AT SOME PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN HANOI (Quan diém của giáo viên về việc giảng dạy tiêng Anh thông qua môn Toán va môn Khoa học: Một nghiên cứu tại một số trường tiểu học tại Hà Nội) M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231.01 HANOI, 2024 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS TEACHING ENGLISH THROUGH MATH AND SCIENCES: A STUDY AT SOME PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN HANOI (Quan diém của giáo viên về việc giảng dạy tiêng Anh thông qua môn Toán va môn Khoa học: Một nghiên cứu tại một số trường tiểu học tại Hà Nội) M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231. Hoang Van Van HANOI, 2024 DECLARATION I hereby certify that the thesis entitled “Teachers’ Attitudes towards Teaching English through Math and Sciences: A Study at Some Primary Schools in Hanoi," submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in TESOL at the University of Languages and International Studies, is the result of my own work, except where otherwise acknowledged.
This thesis or any part of it has not been published or submitted for any other degree at any other university or institution. Hanoi, 2024 Nguyen Thi Thanh Dung Appoved by Supervisor Prof. Hoang Van Van ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to send my sincere thanks to several people for their invaluable contributions during the time I conducted this study. The current paper could not be completed without their support, guidance, and encouragement.
First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Prof. Hoang Van Van, my respectful supervisor, for his careful proof-reading, critical comments, and academic guidance during my time of writing this thesis. His contribution is of significant importance to the completion of my study. Second, I would like to thank all the lecturers at the English Department of the University of Languages and International Studies for their informative lectures, which provided me with a wealth of useful knowledge to fulfill my thesis.
My great thanks also go to all the informants and my dear colleagues at iSMART who contributed to providing me with inputs for this thesis and graciously their time and expertise with me. Last but not least, I find myself in debt to my dear family and my friends, who always support me with their consideration and encouragement. ii ABSTRACT Teachers' views regarding teaching English through math and sciences are crucial because they influence their teaching, which affects student proficiency and interest in English. This study examined teachers' attitudes towards teaching English through math and sciences at five primary schools in Hanoi.
It also explored the main challenges in teaching English through math and sciences. The participants consisted of 23 teachers of English. A set of questionnaires, followed by interviews with teachers, were instruments for data collection. The study indicated that the teachers have positive attitudes towards teaching English through math and sciences.
They assumed that it would help their students improve their English proficiency. Furthermore, the teachers were fully aware of the benefits as well as challenges that teaching English through math and sciences brings about. Based on the research outcomes, the researcher has drawn some implications and recommendations for curriculum development, teacher training, and educational policy, with the ultimate goal of enhancing English language learning outcomes and promoting effective interdisciplinary instruction in primary schools. 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARA THON.o 5 HO HH HH HH 01000 i ACKNOWLEDGEMETNTTS.- <5 <5 HH T1 0090 ii ABSTTIRACTT,.
Hi ii 010000 iii LIST OF ABBREV[IA TIONS. G- cọ HH HH HH n0 nh vỉ LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES. Rationale for the Study. 1 2112111119111 111111 110111 TH HH TH Hy Hy 1 1.
Aim and objectives of the sfUdy. Research qU€SfIOIS.- c1 2011201111121 1111 1111110111111 110111 1 TH HH ng Hy 4 I Scope of the. Structure of the thesis 110 6 ^^--4d4-. LITERATURE RE VI No on cọ HH g0 000 7 PP.
Significance of teachers’ affIfUe. The relationship between beliefs and behaviors of teachers teaching English through math and Sciences 1. The relationship between feelings and behaviors of teachers teaching English through math and SCI€RC€S. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL).
Teaching English through math and sciences in Vietnam. Challenges in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). Instruments for data coÏÏ€CfIOT.---- c1 112k SH 9 TH TH HH HH nh Hiệp 21 3. Data collection procedure 1n.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. se eessee 26 “AI. Data analysis of qu€SfIO'IAIT€S. Data analysis Of IIf€TVICWS.QQ QHHHnHHSHTnHtT HH ng ket 31 4.
Findings and dISCUSSIOTIS.- G- 2G ST nh nh TT nh nàn rht 40 VU NI cò. Research Question vn ae. Research on na e. Suggestion for further SfUyy.
5 <5 GHI HH HH HC HH H000 52 APPENDICES. HH HH HH. 000g I LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS CLIL Content and Language Integrated Learning ELT English Language Teaching EMI English as a Medium of Instruction ESL English as Second Language VI LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Figure 1: The framework of the Study. Background information about paTICIDATIS.--<s- <ss5< sse< ssssssssss4 21 Table 3.
Main sections of the QU€SfIORTIA1TS. Teachers’ attitudes towards teaching English through math and sciences. Rationale for the study There is no doubt that teaching and learning English has been increasing its indispensable significance to Vietnamese inasmuch as Vietnam becomes a member of international organizations such as ASEAN, UNESCO, APECT, or the WTO. Learning English has become increasingly important in all aspects of social life, including the economy, technology, diplomacy, foreign trade, education, and tourism.
Therefore, it has become more and more important for everyone, everywhere, to teach and study English. According to the Decision No. 2080/QD- TTg dated December 224, 2017 of the Vietnamese Prime Minister approving the adjustment and supplementation of the Scheme on teaching and learning foreign languages in the national education system for the period 2017-2025, schools are encouraged to integrate foreign languages into teaching, from preschool and social activities, to promote foreign language teaching integrated into other subjects and teach other subjects (such as math and sciences subjects, etc.) in foreign languages, with the goal of creating a breakthrough in the quality of foreign language teaching and learning for all levels and training levels in Vietnam. Furthermore, the Prime Minister's decision clearly states the promotion of advanced technology in teaching and learning foreign languages with an electronic learning system suitable for all subjects, so that learners can learn foreign languages and approach the native language anytime, anywhere, and by any means, particularly in developing listening and speaking skills.
Studies show that children's vocabulary is directly proportional to their creativity because language allows them to learn and think about the world around them more quickly. In addition, the development of children's abilities has been extensively studied by many scientists around the world. Based on Howard Gardner's eight diverse intelligences, many researchers have proven that students can develop logical-mathematical and linguistic intelligence when they are exposed to learning math and sciences in English at an early age. So, in addition to the mother tongue, what if children are exposed to foreign languages at an early age? The good news is that the child's brain will be more flexible in its reflexes, and memory will also develop more effectively because it is "transferred" from language to language on a regular basis.
In addition, learning a foreign language with math and sciences gives children the opportunity to learn more about the intensive vocabulary of the two subjects that require high thinking as described above, not just words, as when learning in a traditional classroom. Therefore, in terms of the vocabulary that children accumulate, they will have 2-3 times more than other classmates. It is also a great foundation for developing thinking skills in the following years. As a result, learning English through math and sciences is a long-term investment that requires children to plan and clearly define goals from the start in order to reap sweet fruits on the journey to the top of the international educational ladder.
Above all, this is a springboard for them to become self-assured, full-fledged global citizens in the near future. In the context of teaching English in Vietnam, several educational institutions are pioneering teaching English through math and sciences, which is completely different from normal teaching English. This way of teaching and learning English helps students easily gain and apply knowledge directly to the subjects in the classroom, improving their English skills. In addition, classes and lessons are fully supported by the appropriate teaching technology, which includes overhead projectors and sound, interactive whiteboards, computers, and other relevant facilities.
According to iSMART Education!, five hundred primary and secondary schools in Viet Nam are being provided with an English teaching program through math and sciences using digital technology by iSMART Education. More than one hundred thousand students have benefited, gradually improving their English and being able to think actively and creatively through the ! Accessed on November 30, 2023, at iSMART - But phá giới han - Kiến tao tương lai practical activities and topics of the program. In order to meet the growing need for teachers of English through math and science, two universities in Hanoi, including Hanoi Metropolitan University and Hanoi National University of Education, have offered students this topic. In addition, there are many teachers who graduated with a major in English and are involved in teaching English through the math and sciences program.
The need to answer the challenges of both attaining mastery of sciences and math and the English language is an issue that teachers of English should address. Furthermore, it is necessary to prove whether teachers’ knowledge and perceptions of science and mathematics would help them teach English effectively. These aforementioned reasons urge the researcher to conduct this study entitled “Teachers’ attitudes towards teaching English through math and sciences: A study at some primary schools in Hanoi”. The research adapted the theoretical framework of the three-component attitude model developed by Michael A.
Hogg and Graham M. Vaughan (2005) to figure out teachers’ attitudes towards the use of math and sciences as the medium of instruction in teaching English. Hopefully, the findings of the research will be of great use to teachers of English at both involved primary schools and isMART Education as well. It is strongly believed that teachers will have a better understanding of the challenges affecting their use of math and sciences as the medium of instruction in teaching English.
As a result, they can come up with feasible solutions. Aim and objectives of the study The present research aims to improve the effective use of math and sciences as the medium of instruction in English teaching and learning in Vietnam. This fundamental aim is specified into two specific objectives: e Examining the teachers’ attitudes towards the use of math and sciences as the medium of instruction in teaching English at some primary schools in Hanoi. e Exploring some main challenges in teaching English through math and sciences, along with suggestions given by teachers to overcome these challenges.
Research questions The study is intended to seek answers for the following research questions: 1. What attitudes do teachers have towards math and science as the medium of instruction in teaching English at primary schools? 2. What are the challenges faced by teachers while teaching English through math and science? 3. What are the suggestions given by the teachers to overcome these challenges in order for them to teach English through math and science effectively? 1.
Scope of the study The study focuses on the investigation of teachers’ attitudes towards the use of math and sciences as the medium of instruction in English language teaching in order to understand the teachers’ views.