Vietnam National University, Hanoi University of Languages and International Studies Faculty of Post-graduate Studies LÝ THỊ THANH MAI The effects of games on helping high school English learners retain word meaning (HIỆU QUẢ CỦA TRÒ CHƠI TRONG VIỆC GIÚP HỌC SINH THPT GHI NHỚ NGHĨA TỪ VỰNG) M. Minor Programme Thesis Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 601410 Supervisor: Hà Cẩm Tâm (Ph.D) Hanoi, 2010 TIEU LUAN MOI download : skknchat@gmail.com -iv- Table of Content Page Certificate of originality i Aknowledgement ii Abstract iii Table of Contents iv Part A: Introduction 1 1. Aims of the study 2 3. Scope of the study 3 5.
Organization of the study 3 Part B: Development 5 Chapter 1: Literature review 5 2. Vocabulary teaching and learning 5 2. What do learners need to know about word learning? 5 2. Stages in word learning 8 2.
Factors affecting vocabulary retention 8 2. Depth of processing 9 2. Teaching and learning vocabulary through games 15 2. Games for language teaching and learning 15 TIEU LUAN MOI download : skknchat@gmail.
Definition of games 15 2. Advantages of games 16 2. Which games to use? 19 2. When to use games? 19 2.
Word games 20 Chapter 2: The study 22 2. Design of the study 22 2. Data collection instrument 23 2. Data collection procedures 25 2.
The teaching to the experiment group 25 2. The teaching to the control group 26 2. Data Analysis and discussion 27 2. Analysis of test results 27 2.
The pre-test 27 2. The progress tests 28 2. The final test 30 2. Discussion and findings 31 Part C: Conclusion 35 1.
Limitations and recommendations for further studies 37 References 38 Appendices I Appendix 1: Tests I Appendix 2: Games applied in the experimental process IX Appendix 3: Scores XIV TIEU LUAN MOI download : skknchat@gmail.com -1- Part A: Introduction Part A – Introduction- provides the background to the study and statement of the problem, the aims, the research question, the scope of the study as well as the research methodology. It also outlines the organization of the thesis. Rationale Vocabulary is the knowledge of words and word meanings. As Steven Stahl (2005) puts it, "The knowledge of a word not only implies a definition, but also implies how that word fits into the world." Vocabulary knowledge is not something that can ever be fully mastered; it is something that expands and deepens over the course of a lifetime.
It cannot be denied that vocabulary is one of the vital parts in a language learning. Wilkins (1972:111) emphasized that, “Without grammar very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed”. Cook‟s (1991) conclusion is also consistent with Wilkins in that “Grammar provides the overall patterns, vocabulary the material to put into those patterns”. Or some authors, led by Lewis (1993) argue that vocabulary should be at the centre of language teaching, because „language consists of grammaticalised lexis, not lexicalised grammar‟.
It is clear to all of us that one cannot read, speak, listen, write, or understand a foreign language without knowing a certain number of words. How can one appreciate the depth of meaning implied in discourse or become fluent conversationalists if lexis is not involved? Vocabulary learning is obviously an essential part of language learning. Learning words can considered to be the most important aspect of second language acquisition (Knight, 1994). Candlin (1988) stated that "… the study of vocabulary is at the heart of language teaching in terms of organization of syllabuses, the evaluation of learner performance, and the provision of learning resources …." Maiguashca (1993) said that vocabulary is "perhaps the fastest growing area of second language education in terms of research output and publication." Thus, the importance of vocabulary in language learning cannot be denied.
Yet, although the issue of vocabulary teaching and learning is currently receiving attention of teachers and students in most of high schools in Vietnam and in my school as well, it is still far from clear how vocabulary items can be best taught and learned. From my own experience and observation, vocabulary is often taught by the grammar-translation TIEU LUAN MOI download : skknchat@gmail.