VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES VU THI HANG THE EFFECTS OF USING VOCABULARY NOTEBOOKS ON STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY LEARNING: AN ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT AT A LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HANOI Một nghiên cứu hành động tại một trường trung học cơ sở ở Hà Nội) M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Major : English Teaching Methodology Code : 8140231.01 HANOI - 2024 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES VU THI HANG THE EFFECTS OF USING VOCABULARY NOTEBOOKS ON STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY LEARNING: AN ACTION RESEARCH PROJECT AT A LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HANOI Một nghiên cứu hành động tại một trường trung học cơ sở ở Hà Nội) M. MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS Major : Teaching English Methodology Code : 8140231. Hoang Van Van HANOI - 2024 DECLARATION Vũ Thị Hăng, hereby states that this minor thesis is the result of my own research, and all the material in this study that is not my own work has been identified and acknowledged.
I also state that the substance of the thesis has not, wholly or in part, been submitted for any degree to any other university institutions. Hanoi, 2024 Vii Thi Hang Approved by SUPERVISOR (Signature and full name) Prof. Hoang Van Van ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study could not have been accomplished without the help of numerous individuals, to whom I am deeply grateful. First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my supervisor, Professor Hoang Van Vân, for his invaluable assistance throughout all stages of this research and his ongoing guidance and encouragement.
Without his support and direction, I would not have been able to complete my thesis. I would also like to thank the professors at the University of Languages and International Studies for providing me with comprehensive information that served as the foundation for my thesis. I am truly grateful to my dear colleagues for their contribution of excellent literary resources, which played a significant role in the success of this study. Furthermore, the involvement and cooperation of my students at the school where I work were essential.
Lastly, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my family and friends who showered me with their love, care, encouragement, and support throughout my academic journey. Their unwavering presence has been instrumental in my accomplishments. Hanoi, 2024 Vii Thi Hang il ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to examine the influence of vocabulary notebooks on students’ ability to acquire new vocabulary and their perspective on this learning approach. Current observations emphasize the significance of acquiring vocabulary in the process of learning a second language, as it constitutes the fundamental component of effective communication.
This enables learners to express their ideas and comprehend others accurately. The research employs an action research methodology, involving 40 seventh-grade students. Through pre- tests, post-tests, vocabulary notebooks, journals, and survey questionnaires, the study aims to enhance students’ vocabulary acquisition and gauge their opinions about this approach. Data collected from the 40 students demonstrates a positive connection between vocabulary notebook utilization and improved vocabulary skills among students.
Furthermore, a majority of participants display a favorable attitude towards the incorporation of vocabulary notebooks, recognizing their potential to facilitate the retention of word forms and spellings and to promote the practical use of words across different contexts. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for educators and educational institutions engaged in vocabulary instruction. Additionally, recommendations for enhancing students' vocabulary learning experiences in the future are proposed within the paper's conclusion. 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION 00157.- LH HH HH HH HH nghiệt ii ABSTRRACT.- LH HH TH HH HH HH HH HH.
11 LIST OF EIGURRES.-- G0 TH ng HT TH ng ng n vi LIST OF TABLES 0000. cceecesececeeeceseseeeeseesaeceaecseceaecesessaeseesseseaeeenesaeeeaeeees vi CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION oo ecceccsseceneeeeeseeeseceaeceaeeeesaeesaeeeeeeaeees 1 1. Rationale of the Study.
Scope of the SfUYy.- G11 HH TH HH Thu HH HH nh 2 1. Aim Of the Study. Research qU€SfIOTIS.-- -G- G2 1 1 9191 HH TH HH HH HH gi nh 3 1. Research methods and (|€SIø11.
Significance Of the S{UỈy.- - - - c 11111 HH ng ng 4 1. Organization Of the tÏl€S1S.-- c1 1321133211 33911 91111911 1 11 11 1H 1H ng ng 4 CHAPTER 2. LH HH HH hiệp 5 2. Vocabulary in Language Learning and Teaching.
Definition of Vocabulary. Classification of VocabulÌlaTV.- - --s-- s kg TH ng ng 5 2. The Role of Vocabulary in Language Teaching and Learning. Attitudes in Language LL€ATT1nE.-- - -- s13 1191112 1 vn ng kg rưy 10 2.
Definition of Attitudes. Gà SH T HT TH TH ng ng trệt 10 2. The Role of Attitudes in Language Learn1ng.-- -- sọ ng ngờ 12 2. Definition and Benefits of Vocabulary Notebooks.
Design of Vocabulary Not€bOOKS. Implementation of Vocabulary NoteboOks. Previous Studies on Vocabulary NotebD0oKks. Setting of the S{UY.- sọ TT TH HH Hà HH ghe 23 1V 3.
Data collection 1TISITUITIES. ee eee cece eee HT HH 28 3. Pre-test and POSf-E€SÍ. on HT ng TT HH Hết 29 S SN) i0.
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The Effectiveness of Using Vocabulary Notebooks. HH TH HT TH Hi HH TH gi 35 4. Students’ Opinions on Applying Vocabulary Notebooks.1 Students’ Opinions on the Suitability of Vocabulary Notebooks Application 37 4. Effectiveness of Vocabulary Notebooks in Improving Vocabulary Proficiency.
Student’s Preference of Utilizing Vocabulary Notebooks in the Next Semester 42 “Đo on.- n1 1v S9 HH HH HH Hư 46 5. Major Findings of the Study. 11231 v1 vn kg ng HH ky 46 5. Limitations Of the StUdy.
Suggestions for Further Studies. 11v vn ng ng kg rưy 49 REFERENCES 1. PRETEST AND POESTITIESÏT.- - - G123 9v vn ng re, I APPENDIX II. QUESTIONNAIRE FOR STUDENTS.
--: 55c ++<s+ss2 Vil APPENDIX III. CÂU HOI DIEU TRA DÀNH CHO HỌC SINH. IX APPENDIX IV. STUDENTS’ TEST RESUL/TS.-- 55555 c+<sssvesesseres XI APPENDIX V.- -- S55 SccSxSssrerrerrerrree xII LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.
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Students' improvement in vocabulary proficiency. Students’ opinions on their involvement in vocabulary notebooks. Students’ opinions on the suitability of vocabulary notebooks activity. Students' opinion on the frequency of vocabulary notebooks.
Student's opinion on the effectiveness of vocabulary notebooks. Student’s preference of utilizing vocabulary notebooks in the next ôn 0 0. 42 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Student’s opinions on how vocabulary notebooks affected their vocabulary learning.
INTRODUCTION This chapter presents rationale of the study, scope of the study, aim of study, research questions, research methods and design, significance of the study, and organization of the study. Rationale of the study In today's world, the significance of acquiring English language skills is increasingly emphasized due to its pivotal role as a communication tool. Its importance spans across various domains in the modern world including culture, economics, society, science, technology, and the advancement of education. In Vietnam, English is considered as a mandatory subject at all educational levels.
Interestingly, there is a noticeable trend towards adopting English as the primary means of communication, despite the prevalence of local languages spoken by the majority of the population. To facilitate the mastery of the English language, it becomes imperative to focus on vocabulary acquisition. Underscoring the significance of grasping vocabulary, Schmitt (2000, p.55) highlights that having a strong vocabulary is central to effective communication and the acquisition of a second language. Nation (2001) further characterizes the connection between vocabulary knowledge and language utilization as symbiotic: possessing vocabulary enhances language application, and, conversely, using language enhances vocabulary growth.
Indeed, it is through vocabulary that sentences, texts, and language as a whole are constructed and enriched. Contemporary research provides empirical evidence on how to deliver efficient vocabulary instruction to students. The adoption of vocabulary notebooks in the classroom is regarded as a novel method that offers a structured, effective approach to enhancing students’ vocabulary utilization. Prominent researchers in the field of vocabulary acquisition have asserted that keeping vocabulary notebooks stands out as an effective approach, one that underscores the gradual acquisition of vocabulary and various dimensions of word knowledge (Schmitt & Schmitt, 1995).
The information documented in each entry within these vocabulary notebooks serves a multifaceted purpose: it facilitates the ongoing review of target words, promotes deeper processing of word knowledge, and cultivates learners’ strategies, all of which contribute to "enhancing learners’ lexical competence and fostering their self-directed learning abilities" (Fowle, 2002). Despite being categorized as a singular vocabulary learning strategy, the practice of keeping vocabulary notebooks exposes learners to a wide array of vocabulary learning strategies (VLS). These encompass discovery strategies such as consulting dictionaries, inferring meanings from context, seeking guidance from teachers and peers, as well as consolidation strategies including cooperative group learning, visual representation of words, associating words with synonyms and antonyms, constructing sentences with new words, and employing semantic maps (Fowle, 2002). Consequently, vocabulary notebooks offer a platform for expanding learners' repertoire of VLS, potentially enriching vocabulary acquisition more comprehensively than any single strategy alone.
Furthermore, these strategies enable teachers to track students’ progress in vocabulary learning by routinely collecting and providing feedback on vocabulary notebooks. Simultaneously, students can independently assess their own vocabulary learning progress (Fowle, 2002; Walters & Bozkurt, 2009). To sum up, the consensus among most researchers is that the practice of recording new words in vocabulary notebooks is highly beneficial, yielding substantial advantages for students. Therefore, its widespread adoption should be encouraged in English as a foreign language (EFL) learning.
All these reasons granted me to conduct research titled: “The effects of using vocabulary notebooks on students’ vocabulary learning: An action research project at a lower secondary school in suburban area in Hanoi. Scope of the study Within a short time and with limited reference materials, it would be too ambitious for this small-scale study to conduct research on all students at the secondary school. Therefore, the researcher only concentrates on students at grade 7. Currently, a group of 40 seventh-grade students from the same class is chosen to participate in this research.
In addition, within the limitation of a master thesis paper, the study only examines the issue from the student’s perspective because the students themselves should understand the most about them. Aim of the study The major aim of the study is to examine the effects of vocabulary notebooks on students’ proficiency and the students’ attitudes towards vocabulary learning through vocabulary notebook at a secondary school in Hanoi. Research questions Given the scope and based on the above aim, the study is conducted to answer the following questions: (1) To what extent does the use of vocabulary notebooks affect students’ vocabulary proficiency? (2) What are the students’ attitudes towards the use of vocabulary notebooks? 1. Research methods and design To achieve the aims of the study, action research is used.
In addition, in terms of research data-collected-instrument, this study uses the pre-test and post-test, survey questionnaire and journal writing. A pre-test and a post-test were given in order to evaluate the vocabulary use proficiency improvement. The students’ scores in the post-test will be compared with the scores of students in the pretest to determine the effectiveness of the use of word lists in teaching vocabulary. Besides, the survey questionnaire was delivered to elicit insights into participants’ attitudes, beliefs, and responses concerning the learning process, classroom instruction, and activities.
The journal writing containing students’ reflections on their learning experiences and practices proved instrumental in aiding the researcher's comprehension of the questionnaire results and provided an avenue to offer additional insights and clarifications regarding the students’ responses in the questionnaire. After collecting the data, they are sorted and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to obtain the results.