VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS STUDENTS’ AND TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE EFFECTS OF USING VOCABULARY GAMES ON STUDENTS’ ESP VOCABULARY LEARNING AT A UNIVERSITY IN HANOI (NHAN THUC CUA SINH VIEN VA GIAO VIEN VE HIEU QUA CUA VIEC SU DUNG TRO CHOI TU VUNG DOI VOI VIEC HOC TU VUNG CHUYEN NGANH CUA SINH VIÊN TAI MỘT TRUONG ĐẠI HỌC Ở HÀ NỘI) Master’s Thesis Program: English Language Teaching Methodology Program’s code: 8140231.01 HANOI - 2024 UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS NGUYEN ĐÀO MINH TRANG STUDENTS’ AND TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE EFFECTS OF USING VOCABULARY GAMES ON STUDENTS’ ESP VOCABULARY LEARNING AT A UNIVERSITY IN HANOI __ (NHAN THUC CUA SINH VIÊN VA GIAO VIÊN VE HIEU QUA CUA VIEC SU DUNG TRO CHOI TU VUNG DOI VOI VIEC HOC TU VUNG CHUYEN NGANH CUA SINH VIÊN TAI MOT TRUONG ĐẠI HOC Ở HÀ NỘI) Master’s Thesis Program: English Language Teaching Methodology Program’s code: 8140231.01 Instructor: Professor Nguyen Hoa DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP I, Nguyen Dao Minh Trang, hereby declare that this Master's thesis, titled “Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of the Effects of Using Vocabulary Games on Students’ ESP Vocabulary Learning at a University in Hanoi”, and all the work presented within it, is entirely my own. I affirm that I have conducted the research, gathered and analyzed the data, and written the thesis independently. All sources used or referred to in this thesis are duly acknowledged and cited. I have not used any material in this thesis for which I have not obtained permission or proper citation.
Any contributions from other individuals have been appropriately acknowledged in the acknowledgment section of this work. I understand the implications of submitting work that is not my own, and I am aware that any form of academic misconduct may result in severe consequences, including the nullification of my thesis. This work has not been submitted for any other academic qualification, and it has not been previously published. I am aware of the academic integrity policy of University of Languages and International Studies, and I have adhered to its principles in the completion of this thesis.
Signature ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my thesis advisor, Mr. Nguyen Hoa, for his unwavering support, invaluable guidance, and constructive feedback throughout the entire process of developing and completing this master's thesis. His expertise in the field of English language teaching has been instrumental in shaping the direction and quality of this research. I extend my sincere appreciation to the faculty members of the English for Specific Purposes Department of Hanoi University for their insightful comments and suggestions during the various stages of this research.
Their collective knowledge and dedication to academic excellence have significantly enriched the scholarly rigor of this thesis. I am indebted to the participants who generously contributed their time and insights, making this research possible. Their willingness to share their experiences and perspectives has added depth and authenticity to the findings. I would like to acknowledge the support of my colleagues and friends who provided encouragement, shared resources, and offered valuable discussions.
Your camaraderie and intellectual engagement have been a source of inspiration. Last but not least, I am profoundly grateful to my family for their unwavering encouragement, understanding, and patience throughout this academic journey. Their support has been my anchor, and IJ dedicate this work to them. This thesis represents the culmination of a collective effort, and each contributor, in various capacities, has played a crucial role in its completion.
1 ABSTRACT The study investigated students’ and teachers’ perceptions of using language games for learning vocabulary. Despite traditional methods being viewed as dull and ineffective, the research found that both students and teachers considered vocabulary games highly beneficial. First-year non-English major students at Hanoi University expressed a positive attitude, motivation, and satisfaction with vocabulary games, viewing them as effective for acquisition. Teachers noted that games significantly improved students' ability to recall and use new words in real contexts.
However, potential challenges such as classroom management issues and unclear instructions were identified. The overall conclusion is that learning vocabulary through games is an effective and enjoyable method, emphasizing the importance of teachers addressing potential challenges for optimal results. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTTION.- Q1 1n HH HH HH HH ng 2 1. Scope of the 17.
Research aims and Objectives .-- <1 SH HH Hkp 4 1. Research qU€SfIOTS.- -- - 5< E32 1111931193011 HH ng kp 5 1.-- << + s1 HH HH 5 IS) 2000062200010. 6 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REV HE. Go HH 00 086608 6 8 PM vian.2 The importance of vocabulary .2 Vocabulary teaching and learning.
How has vocabulary been taught?. Current trends in vocabulary teaching and learning.4 Games in language feaChỈng.- G1 1S SH HH HH HH 13 2.2 Types of language ØIT€S,.3 Effects of using games in language teaching.4 Review of previous studies on teaching and learning vocabulary using DAMES .1 Using games in vocabulary teaching and learning .2 Some difficulties of using vocabulary games in the class. G9 TH HT HH HH 23 3.4 Data Collection Ïnsfrun€TIES.Ă SH LH HH TH TH TH HT HH HH 26 3. Data collection procedure .- s5 311 9 ng ng ng ng ng 29 3.
30 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION.1 Research question 1: What are students’ perceptions towards the use of language games in learning vocabullar. Research question 2: What are teachers’ perceptions towards the use of language games in learning vOCabullaTY ?.1 Benefits of using vocabulary Games: .2 Difficulties of using vocabulary Games .-- -- «<< «<< +ssx 44 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDA TION.- s5 + 111191 9311911 911 93v nh ng net 47 5.3 Limitations of the study and further recommendations. 0-5 5c cọ Họ TT n0 0000010000900 49 APPENDICES.00 I APPENDIX 1: Students’ questionnaire .:ccesceeseeeceeeceeseeeseeeneeeeeeeeeneeeeaeeees I APPENDIX 2: Interview DTOfOCOÌ. SG 1 31 319111811 811811 1k ree Il LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.
Students' level of satisfaction with vocabulary games. Students' willingness to take part in vocabulary games. Students' perception of vocabulary games’ effecfIVeness. Students’ ability to learn new words faster and better when participating in VOCADUIATY ZAMES T1.
Students' ability to use words more effectively in contexts. Some difficulties students have encountered when playing vocabulary games vi Students’ and Teachers’ Perceptions of the Effects of Using Vocabulary Games on Students’ ESP Vocabulary Learning at a University in Hanoi Abstract This study examines the use of vocabulary games in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction and its impact on students' attitudes and perceptions. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving direct interviews with four lecturers and a questionnaire administered to students. The qualitative component focused on exploring lecturers’ perspectives, experiences, and attitudes toward vocabulary games, while the quantitative component collected data on students’ attitudes and perceptions.
Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, while descriptive statistics were employed for the quantitative data. The findings reveal the lecturers’ insights into the benefits and challenges of using vocabulary games, as well as students' overall attitudes and perceptions. The results highlight the potential of vocabulary games to enhance vocabulary learning in ESP courses and provide valuable recommendations for educators. This study contributes to the existing literature on ESP instruction, emphasizing the importance of incorporating engaging and interactive pedagogical approaches to enhance vocabulary acquisition.
Rationale English is now considered an international language of communication, especially in the field of trade, commerce, advertising, entertainment and education. Thus, learning English is the secret to opening more doors regardless of professions, especially in developing countries. As Holden stated in 1999, when it comes to second language learning and teaching, vocabulary retention could be considered one of the most difficult aspects to be successfully fulfilled. According to Coady & Huckin (1997), the topic of how to teach vocabulary in the most effective ways has always been a controversial issue in language teaching given the fact that teachers often disagree on how vocabulary could be integrated into instructional programmes.
As Hatch and Brown (1995) pointed out, a great number of practice, exercises, techniques and approaches could be applied in practical classrooms, but it depends on teachers to decide which materials are proper and appropriate for their learners. Regarding this matter, Rivers (1981) believes that language teachers should arouse learners’ interest in learning and using words, which could be done by providing ideas and techniques on how to efficiently learn vocabulary. To further this idea, Rivers (1981) added that the criteria of how to choose the proper in-class techniques concern (i) objective achievement; (ii) learners’ interest and enthusiasm sustentation and (iii) suitability of tasks to learners. Studies conducted by Uberman (1998) and Nguyen and Khuat (2003) indicate that learners are weary of the conventional way of learning vocabulary namely revising, passive learning or putting words on papers, all of which have created serious learning problems.
Nguyen and Khuat (2003) hold the belief that learners can acquire the target language better when learning in a relaxed environment such as vocabulary games. These researchers suggest that learners could learn up to 80 percent of what they are subjected to if they are put in a communicative, interesting and competitive environment. In 1986, Freeman mentioned that learners are fond of language games in which they could be involved in and enjoy in-class communicative interaction. He believes that games are designed to provide learners with a positive and constructive competition.
Games could encourage and inspire learners to voluntarily explore the language and participate in the learning process. Additionally, this could also add up to establishing bonds between learners and instructors. Moreover, well-designed language games shall create actual communication and therefore develop learners’ ability to communicate in the target language. After consulting certain academic views on the matter of teaching vocabulary using games for non-English major first-year students, I reckon that studies that involve applying in-class vocabulary games and getting feedback from both teachers and learners to better the language learning experience are relatively few, especially concerning non- English major first-year students.
This is precisely the reason why this research is made, since it aims at investigating how vocabulary games can be used effectively in enhancing vocabulary retention of learners. The acquisition of vocabulary holds paramount importance in the process of learning a new language, serving as the foundational element that interconnects the essential skills of writing, reading, listening, and speaking. Proficient communication in a foreign language necessitates not only the memorization of an adequate number of words but also the ability to employ them accurately. Despite recognizing the significance of vocabulary in language acquisition, a substantial portion of Vietnamese students passively assimilate new words due to various factors.
Firstly, they often perceive the teacher's explanations regarding meaning, pronunciation, spelling, and grammatical functions as monotonous. Consequently, during vocabulary study sessions, students find themselves compelled to attentively listen to their instructors. Secondly, students tend to view vocabulary acquisition merely as grasping the basic meanings of new words, neglecting their additional functions. Thirdly, the introduction of new vocabulary is frequently limited to terms found in textbooks or provided by teachers during lectures.
For instance, students may encounter unfamiliar terms in literature and seek clarification from their instructors regarding definitions and applications. Lastly, a considerable number of Vietnamese students hesitate to apply their acquired vocabulary actively. Although they may recognize a word in written or spoken form and believe they comprehend it, they might struggle to use the word appropriately in various contexts or pronounce it correctly. The recent adoption of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in Vietnam has demonstrated effectiveness in language education.
CLT encourages students to actively engage in real-world scenarios through individual, pair, and group activities, motivating them to apply their language skills in relevant ways. Vocabulary games, in particular, stand out as activities within a CLT classroom that prompt students to actively interact with each other in English.