VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES TRẦN BÍCH NGỌC ERRORS IN THE USE OF DO AS AN ENGLISH PRIMARY AUXILIARY VERB MADE BY FIRST-YEAR SPORTS COACHING MAJOR STUDENTS AT BAC NINH SPORT UNIVERSITY OF VIETNAM Những lỗi thường gặp khi sử dụng do như là trợ động từ nguyên cấp của sinh viên năm thứ nhất khoa Huấn Luyện Thể Thao trường Đại học Thể Dục Thể Thao Bắc Ninh M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Language Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231.01 Hanoi – 2024 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES TRẦN BÍCH NGỌC ERRORS IN THE USE OF DO AS AN ENGLISH PRIMARY AUXILIARY VERB MADE BY FIRST-YEAR SPORTS COACHING MAJOR STUDENTS AT BAC NINH SPORT UNIVERSITY OF VIETNAM Những lỗi thường gặp khi sử dụng do như là trợ động từ nguyên cấp của sinh viên năm thứ nhất khoa Huấn Luyện Thể Thao trường Đại học Thể Dục Thể Thao Bắc Ninh M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Field: English Language Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231. VÕ ĐẠI QUANG, Ph.
Hanoi – 2024 DECLARATION I, the undersigned, declare that this thesis entitled “Errors in the Use of DO as an English primary auxiliary verb made by first-year Sports Coaching Major students at Bac Ninh Sport University of Vietnam” - Những lỗi thường gặp khi sử dụng do như là trợ động từ nguyên cấp của sinh viên năm thứ nhất khoa Huấn Luyện Thể Thao trường Đại học Thể Dục Thể Thao Bắc Ninh submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts at the Faculty of Post-Graduate Studies, University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi represents my work and has not been previously submitted for any degree or any other institution for assessment purposes. Hanoi, 2024 Tran Bich Ngoc Approved by SUPERVISOR Assoc. VÕ ĐẠI QUANG, Ph.D i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am profoundly grateful to all those who have provided me with tremendous encouragement and support throughout the completion of my research. Firstly, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my supervisor, Assoc.
Vo Dai Quang for his patient guidance and insightful recommendations, which were crucial in the preparation and execution of this thesis. Without his mentorship, this work would not have come to fruition. Secondly, I would like to show my sincere gratitude to all the professors, lecturers and staff at the Faculty of Post-Graduate Studies, University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, whose teachings and practical support were instrumental in developing my thesis. Furthermore, I am thankful to my manager, colleagues, and students for their enthusiastic support of my research efforts.
Finally, I sincerely appreciate my family for their dedication and support throughout my completion of this academic work. ii ABSTRACT The research aims to investigate errors in using the auxiliary verb “do” made by first-year students in the Sports Coaching faculty at Bac Ninh Sport University of Vietnam in the academic year 2023 - 2024. To be more specific, the research describes the types of errors that students commonly commit based on the Surface Strategy Taxonomy and proposes possible solutions to the identified errors. The author used survey research to achieve the research aims and objectives.
To gather data, the researcher used a written test with close-ended questions; accordingly, the collected data was quantitative. This research showed that students made four types of errors in using the auxiliary verb “do”: omission, misformation, misordering, and addition errors, with percentages of 43%, 35%, 12%, and 10%, respectively. By investigating this problem thoroughly, the researcher hopes to understand her students better and take measures to help improve their English proficiency. iii TABLE OF CONTENT DECLARATION.
iii TABLE OF CONTENT. iv LIST OF TABLES. vi PART A: INTRODUCTION. Rationale of the study.
Aims and objectives of the study. Significance of the study. Scope of the study. Design of the study .6 CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW.
Definition of Verbs. Types of Verbs. Definitions of Auxiliary Verbs. Types of Auxiliary Verbs.
Functions of Auxiliary Verbs. Features of Do as a Primary Auxiliary Verb. Definition of Errors. Distinction between Errors and Mistakes.
Sources of Errors in Using Auxiliary Verbs. Types of Errors in Using Auxiliary Verbs. The Concept of Error Analysis. Procedure for doing Error Analysis.
Review of Previous Studies .21 CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY. Research Setting and Subject. Data Collection Instrument. Data Collection Procedure .26 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION.
Discussion of the findings. Omission Errors and Suggested Exercises. Misformation Errors and Suggested Exercises. Misordering Errors and Suggested Exercises.
Addition Errors and Suggested Exercises. Suggestions for future research. I v LIST OF TABLES Table 1: The test result. 28 Table 2: The Frequency and Percentage of Errors Made by Students in Using the Auxiliary “Do”.
30 Table 3: Students’ Errors According to Types of Sentences. 31 vi PART A: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale of the study English has gained widespread recognition as a crucial language for communication across various fields. It is regarded as an essential tool for global integration and has become the dominant medium of interaction in many countries.
In Vietnam, English has permeated numerous sectors, including politics, economics, tourism, electronics, telecommunications, culture, and science and technology. In today’s interconnected world, English is indispensable, prompting countries like Vietnam to prioritize English education across different regions. As a result, proficiency in English has become vital for many Vietnamese individuals to meet the demands of a developing nation. Teachers, as key influencers in the classroom, play a critical role in identifying and addressing challenges, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of English language teaching and learning in schools and, by extension, in Vietnam.
At Bac Ninh Sport University of Vietnam, where the primary focus is on students’ athletic abilities, the English language requirements for university entrance are minimal. Once enrolled, students must take English courses from their first semester, with assessments covering both communication skills and grammar knowledge. Many students face difficulties in learning English due to the lack of a strong foundation from their high school education, leading to frequent errors in language use. Within the Faculty of Sports Coaching, English is a mandatory subject due to its relevance to sports-related communication and coaching techniques.
Given the importance of English for effective communication in sports teaching and training, proficiency in the language is essential for Sports Coaching students. While the 1 course materials primarily emphasize communication skills, it is widely recognized that a solid understanding of grammar enhances communication effectiveness. Mastering grammar, especially verbs, is crucial for improving overall English proficiency, and many students dedicate significant time to studying it. A strong grasp of grammar is essential for students to refine their language skills, requiring effective teaching and learning strategies.
Although modern language teaching emphasizes communication, the importance of grammar remains, particularly at the foundational stages of learning English, where the language is compulsory. Several researchers, including Sembiring et al. (2021), Cahyaningrum (2014), Djulaikah (2016), Hai (2003), and Lan (2005), have explored grammatical errors, specifically those related to auxiliary verbs. The importance of grammar in the English language cannot be overstated, and auxiliary verbs play a crucial role in grammar.
As learners progress in their studies, errors are inevitable. Research on grammatical errors has consistently found that auxiliary verbs are a common source of mistakes, though not many studies have focused solely on them. Drawing on personal experience as an English teacher, the author has observed the significant challenges students face with English auxiliary verbs. This research focuses on errors related to the auxiliary verb “do,” which are frequently made by first-year students at the Faculty of Sports Coaching at Bac Ninh Sport University.
The goal is for this study to contribute to the ongoing improvement of English teaching and learning within the Faculty. Aims and objectives of the study This study aims to investigate errors in using the auxiliary verb “do” that are commonly committed by first-year students in the faculty of Sports Coaching at Bac 2 Ninh Sport University of Vietnam and propose possible solutions to the improvement of English learning and teaching. To be more specific, the objective of the research is: - To describe types of errors that are commonly committed by students in using the auxiliary verb “do” The objective of the study can be elaborated by the following research question: 1. What types of errors in using the auxiliary verb “do” are commonly committed by students? The author conducted the research “Errors in the use of do as an English primary auxiliary verb made by first-year Sports Coaching major students at Bac Ninh Sport University of Vietnam” to answer the above question.
Significance of the study 3. Theoretical Significance The study holds significant theoretical value as it contributes to the growing body of research on English grammar acquisition, specifically in the use of auxiliary verbs, which play a pivotal role in English sentence construction. Despite the extensive focus on broader grammatical issues, the auxiliary verb "do" is often under- researched, particularly in the context of learners from non-language disciplines. By narrowing the focus to first-year Sports Coaching major students, this research uncovers the unique grammatical challenges these students face, thereby adding depth to the understanding of how auxiliary verbs are acquired and used incorrectly in real-world contexts.
It also contributes to second language acquisition (SLA) theories by providing empirical data on common errors, which can be utilized to refine existing linguistic models. The findings may lead to further exploration of the intersections between students' academic backgrounds, their approach to learning English, and the specific grammatical errors they encounter, offering fresh insights into how grammatical structures are internalized by learners in specialized fields. Practical Significance From a practical standpoint, this research offers valuable implications for English language teaching, particularly in specialized academic settings such as Sports Coaching. The identification of specific errors related to the use of "do" as an auxiliary verb will help educators design targeted interventions to address these challenges, ensuring that students can improve their grammatical accuracy in both written and spoken English.
This is particularly important in Sports Coaching, where clear and correct communication is essential for conveying instructions and tactics. By providing concrete data on the types of errors made by students, the study enables teachers to adjust their instructional methods, focusing more on the common problem areas encountered by learners. Additionally, the findings can inform curriculum designers in creating materials that better cater to the needs of students in non-language majors, enhancing the overall effectiveness of English instruction in Vietnam and similar educational contexts. Scope of the study Exploring the fundamental stage of elementary language learning provides a crucial starting point for students to grasp and enhance their language skills.
The author investigates the common challenges students face at this elementary level. Given the various nature of difficulties and errors, this study specifically looks into the common errors related to using the auxiliary verb “do” in the context of a grammatical test among first-year students in the Faculty of Sports Coaching. The research focused on 120 first-year Sports Coaching students and took place at the end of the first semester in the academic year 2023-2024. The study gives teachers at Bac Ninh Sport University of Vietnam a better understanding of their students to help them overcome difficulties and improve their language proficiency.
Design of the study The study consists of three parts: 4 Part A is the introduction in which the rationale, aims and objectives, significance and scope of the study are described. Part B is the development, which includes four chapters. Chapter 1 is the Literature Review that reviews the theories related to the study. Chapter 2 is the Research Methodology in which the research design, research setting and subject, data collection, and data analysis are presented.