VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITTY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES NGUYỄN THỊ NGỌC MAI USING SEMANTIC MAPPING TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY RETENTION Sử dụng sơ đồ ngữ nghĩa trong việc phát triển ghi nhớ từ vựng của học sinh M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Major: English Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231.01 HA NOI – 2024 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITTY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES NGUYỄN THỊ NGỌC MAI USING SEMANTIC MAPPING TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY RETENTION Sử dụng sơ đồ ngữ nghĩa trong việc phát triển ghi nhớ từ vựng của học sinh M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Major: English Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231. Nguyễn Thị Minh Trâm Date: ……/…….
Nguyễn Thị Minh Trâm HA NOI – 2024 DECLARATION I hereby certify that the minor thesis entitled “Using Semantic Mapping to Enhance Students’ Vocabulary Retention”, which is summited in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in English Language Teaching Methodology at Faculty of Post- graduate Studies, University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi is the result of my own work. I have provided fully documented references to the work of others. The material in this thesis has not been submitted to any other university or institution wholly and partially. 2024 Nguyen Thi Ngoc Mai Approved by SUPERVISOR (Signature and full name) Dr.
Nguyen Thi Minh Tram i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Tram, whose unwavering guidance, expertise, and patience have been invaluable throughout the entire journey of completing this thesis. Her insightful answers, encouragement, and unwavering support have not only enriched my academic experience but also propelled me towards achieving this significant milestone in my academic journey. I am profoundly grateful for her mentorship and dedication, without which this accomplishment would not have been possible.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to my students who generously participated in this study. Their active engagement, enthusiasm, and passion for learning have been a constant source of inspiration for me. Furthermore, I am gratefully indebted to my family members and friends for encouraging me to embark on this journey, tolerating all my mood swings and continuously providing me with emotional support along the way. It is a sheer pleasure to have your company through all ups and downs of this ride.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge myself for staying committed and dedicated to this journey. It has been a challenging but rewarding experience, and I am proud of the progress I have made. With deepest gratitude, Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Mai ii ABSTRACT This research investigates the effectiveness of semantic mapping in bolstering vocabulary retention of learners with low English proficiency levels in the context of a secondary school in Hanoi, Vietnam. This research aims at improving students’ vocabulary retention based on vocabulary knowledge, namely pronunciation, meaning, spelling, collocation, and word relations by using semantic mapping.
Furthermore, the study wants to find out the students’ attitude towards the implementation of semantic mapping. This is action research which utilized a mix-methods research of qualitative and quantitative approaches including a pre- test, a post-test, a questionnaire and an interview. Findings reveal significant improvements in students' vocabulary retention following the implementation of semantic mapping techniques with 48 seventh-grade students. Additionally, the study unveils heightened motivation, increased autonomy in learning, enhanced creativity, and greater classroom engagement among participants.
However, despite these promising outcomes, the research identifies several challenges associated with semantic mapping, including time pressure, peer pressure, feelings of overwhelm, and limited background knowledge. It is hoped that this research offers valuable insights into the potential of semantic mapping as a pedagogical strategy to enhance vocabulary retention, particularly among students with low English proficiency levels. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION .iii LIST OF TABLES .vii LIST OF FIGURES .viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. Research aim and questions.
Significance of the study. Scope of the study. Method of the study. Structure of the thesis.
3 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. Indicators of vocabulary knowledge. Overview of vocabulary retention. Factors affecting vocabulary retention.
Procedures for using semantic mapping .