MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING QUY NHON UNIVERSITY TRAN YEN KHUE THE EFFECTS OF QUIZLET ON PUPILS' VOCABULARY LEARNING IN GRADE 2 OF PHUOC NGHIA PRIMARY SCHOOL Field: Theory and Methodology of English Language Teaching Code: 8140111 Supervisor: Dr. Nguyen Tien Phung BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO TRƢỜNG ĐẠI HỌC QUY NHƠN TRẦN YÊN KHUÊ TÁC DỤNG CỦA QUIZLET ĐẾN VIỆC HỌC TỪ VỰNG CỦA HỌC SINH LỚP 2 TRƢỜNG TIỂU HỌC PHƢỚC NGHĨA Ngành: Lý luận và phƣơng pháp dạy học bộ môn tiếng Anh Code: 8140111 Ngƣời hƣớng dẫn: TS. Nguyễn Tiến Phùng i STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP I hereby certify that the thesis titled “The effects of Quizlet on pupils‟ vocabulary learning in Grade 2 of Phuoc Nghia Primary school”, is entirely my own original work except where otherwise indicated. I have not used any sources other than those listed and identified as references.
I further declare that I have not submitted this thesis at any other institution in order to obtain a degree. Quy Nhon, December , 2023 Student Tran Yen Khue ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First of all, I express my deep gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Nguyen Tien Phung, who was always available to support me not only academically but also spiritually, for his words of encouragement and constructive suggestions, great support, patience, and time in guiding and supporting me throughout the process. I would like to thank lecturers from the Pedagogy Department and the Foreign Language Department at Quy Nhon University for their enthusiastic support and guidance during my studying process.
I am also indebted to the pupils in Phuoc Nghia Primary School who participated in this study. Without their participation, this study would not have been accomplished. The writing of this thesis owes a great deal to the support of others. I would like thank to my family and my colleagues for their emotional support and companionship.
iii ABSTRACT This study was conducted at a primary school in Phuoc Nghia commune, Tuy Phuoc district with young pupils in Grade 2 to investigate the impact of using Quizlet in supporting pupils to learn English vocabulary and pupils' attitudes of using Quizlet to learn vocabulary. The research was carried out using to an experimental research with the participation of 80 pupils Grade 2 from three different classes at Phuoc Nghia primary school. The study was conducted over 2 months and divided into two phases. During the first phase of one month, the pupils did not receive any instructions and learned vocabulary in their own way.
In the second phase, the researcher introduced Quizlet to pupils as a tool to support vocabulary learning and improve their study. Data were collected through three main tools including tests, questionnaires and interviews. The pre- and post-tests were designed to test the results of pupils' vocabulary learning under normal learning conditions and after studying Quizlet. Then questionnaires and interviews were conducted to collect information about changes in the pupils' learning, as well as their attitudes and perspectives about using this tool in learning.
Data analysis shows that Quizlet adoption has a positive impact on pupils. It makes learning vocabulary more effective, increases vocabulary retention, and makes learning more fun. In addition, this is also a useful method to improve pupils' study habits. This research is hoped to provide necessary information for those considering using Quizlet in English classes, as well as provide assistance to researchers working on the same topic.
However, this study still has some limitations in terms of sample size, time and research conditions. Future studies on the same topic can examine Quizlet in various learning environments, as well as increase the number of test participants or expand the participant pool to increase the reliability and coverage of the study. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS.
iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. vi LIST OF TABLES .vii LIST OF FIGURES. Research aims and objectives. Scope of the study.
Significance of the study. Organization of the study. The importance of learning vocabulary for language pupils. Factors affecting pupils' vocabulary learning.
Quizlet as a web - based technology in EFL classroom. Quizlet learning tool. Quizlet in the EFL classroom. Quizlet reviews and effects.
Data collection and data analysis. Effectiveness of using Quizlet. The pupils‟ attitudes and perspectives about using Quizlet on English vocabulary learning. Summary of the chapter.
DISCUSSIONS AND COΝCLUSIOΝS. Discussions of major findings. Limitations of the study. Suggestions for further research.
51 APPENDICES vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS CEF : Common European Framework EFL : English as a Foreign Language L2 : The second language TAM : Technology Acceptance Model vii LIST OF TABLES Table 2. Features of Quizlet website and mobile app.1: Components participating in the experiment. Pre-experimental test results. Post-experimental test results.
Average results between the pre-test and post-test results. Difficulties facing pupils in learning vocabulary. Pupils‟ attention to learning vocabulary. Pupils' change of self- studying frequency.
Pupils‟ frequency of doing vocabulary learning activities before using Quizlet. Pupils‟ frequency of doing vocabulary learning activities after using Quizlet. Results of pupils‟ feedback about Quizlet‟s effective after the experiment. Evaluation of pupils about the Quizlet tools after the experiment.
Pupils‟ attitudes toward Quizlet and other vocabulary learning software. Pupils' preferences of Quizlet task types. 40 viii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2. Quizlet main interface on the phone.
The arrangement of units in Quizlet on the phone. Pupils' changes of vocabulary learning habits. Rationale For an English learner, mastering the four skills of Speaking - Listening - Reading - Writing are essential. However, learners must have a rich vocabulary and grammar, especially vocabulary to perfect these four skills.
The importance of vocabulary to learners in developing four English skills has been demonstrated by Do & Vo (2021). In the age when science and technology are growing as quickly as it is today, educators know how to leverage science and information technology into the teaching process (Lim & Yunus, 2021), including games, online programs and resources are available on the internet. Due to the recent pandemic, these online programs have been widely used by educators and more often instead of paper exercises or direct classroom activities learn. Zhao (2019) has demonstrated that vocabulary learning method can affect pupils' ability to vocabulary acquisition.
Therefore, learners need to study constantly and review regularly, both in class and at home. In this regard, web-based learning platforms and online programs have been a great help, including Quizlet. Some researchers have recognized an increase in Quizlet use and their ability to support learning (Chien, 2015; Davie & Hilber, 2015; Barr, 2016; Anjaniputra & Salsabila, 2018; Mehdi, 2019). Therefore, many research proposals related to Quizlet have been made in some recent years.
At Phuoc Nghia Elementary School, most pupils have difficulty learning vocabulary. According to preliminary observations at practical classes, some pupils appeared uninterested when the teacher presents the lessons in a traditional way. They continuously lacked concentration and neglected teacher‟s instruction. The researcher recognizes that efforts are needed to address these challenges.
Teachers must not only supervise the whole class but also attract pupils in creative and interesting ways to increase their ability to succeed and encourage the children take 2 the lessons. Therefore, Quizlet is proposed to include in the curriculum as an auxiliary learning method and this research will be conducted in parallel with this process, with the purpose of examining the extent of Quizlet's influence on pupils' vocabulary acquisition and their attitude towards using Quizlet in teaching. Research aims and objectives 1. Research aim The overall aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Quizlet on pupils' vocabulary learning in Phuoc Nghia Primary School in Tuy Phuoc, Binh Dinh.
Research objectives In order to achieve this aim, the researcher will try to fulfil the following objectives: 1. To examine the effects of using Quizlet in helping Phuoc Nghia Primary pupils learn vocabulary; 2. To gain insights into Phuoc Nghia primary pupils‟ perspectives and attitudes of using Quizlet in teaching and learning. To what extent does Quizlet influence the pupils‟ vocabulary learning at Phuoc Nghia Primary School? 2.
What are Phuoc Nghia pupils‟ attitudes and perspectives of using Quizlet in teaching and learning? 1. Scope of the study This research focuses on identifying the effect of Quizlet on pupils‟ vocabulary achievement and their attitude about using Quizlet for learning vocabulary. Thus, vocabulary tests, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 80 pupils in Grade 2 at Phuoc Nghia Primary School. Significance of the study 3 The findings of the study may provide a profound understanding of the benefits and challenges regarding using Quizlet in teaching and learning vocabulary in very young learners of Phuoc Nghia primary school as well as other primary schools in general.
This can help teachers and pupils have more choices in the design of their teaching curriculum, teaching and learning. Besides, the research also hopes to contribute to design a creative, interesting and engaging classroom, thus helping pupils to be more motivated and interested in their learning. This will also help motivate teachers in self-development, improving their professional skills and professional knowledge. Additionally, these research findings are expected to be positive and valuable information for those who are concerned with teaching and learning English as a foreign language, as well as useful information for researchers in teaching methods or language theory.
Organization of the study This research paper is divided into five chapters: Chapter 1: Introduction. This chapter consists of the background of the research, aims and objectives of the research, research questions, and the structure of the thesis. Chapter 2: Literature review. In this chapter, the writer discusses the basic theoretical framework and some previous studies.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology. It explains research design, research method, population and sample, instruments, data collection and analysis, and the procedure of this study. In this chapter, the writer reveals the results of the research. Chapter 5: Discussion and Conclusions.
The last chapter contains the discussions, the conclusion of the research and some suggestions for further studies. 4 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2. Vocabulary To use any languages fluently, each person needs a certain amount of vocabulary. Vocabulary is the most important ingredient for communication and conveying information.
It is used every day and is extremely familiar, but not everyone can give a thorough definition of what vocabulary is. Below, we will provide the necessary information about vocabulary. Vocabulary is referred to by many different words with similar meanings, such as vocabulary, and lexicon. It is understood as a set of words and units equivalent to words in the language.
Vocabulary can be defined as the words “we must know to communicate effectively; spoken words (expressive vocabulary) and listening words (receptive vocabulary)” (Neuman & Dwyer, 2009, p. Hornby (1995) defines vocabulary as total number of words of a language; a list of words with their meanings. However, a new vocabulary item can be more than just a single word. For example, “post office” and “mother-in-law” are made up of two or three words but express a single idea.
A useful convention is to cover all such instances by referring to them as lexical “items” rather than “words”. Additionally, Burns (1972) defines vocabulary as the stock of words used by a person, class, or profession. Zimmerman cited in Coady and Huckin (1998), states that vocabulary is central to language and has importance for typical language learning. Furthermore, Diamond and Gutlohn (2006) state on “Vocabulary Handbook” that vocabulary is the knowledge of words and their meanings.
Based on the above definitions, it can be concluded that vocabulary is the total number of words needed to convey ideas and express the speaker's meaning. That is why learning vocabulary is very important. There are two main types of vocabulary: active and passive. Active vocabulary includes words that we understand and use in everyday speaking and writing.