THANG LONG UNIVERSITY THANG LONG UNIVERSITY ENGLISH DEPARTMENT GRADUATION PAPER | THE EFFECTS OF USING MOBILE APPLICATIONS ON IMPROVING IELTS LISTENING SCORE (The case of English language majored students at Thang Long University) Supervisor: Ph.D Tran Thi Phuong Thu Student’s name: Doan Thao Van Student’s code: A37013 Major: English Language Hanoi, October 2023 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my gratitude to those who have provided guidance and support and significantly contributed to the completion of my thesis. First and foremost, I am profoundly thankful to the lecturers of the English Language Department at Thang Long University for their invaluable expertise and input which motivated me to start my research project. I would also like to convey my heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Tran Thi Phuong Thu, my supervisor whose valuable guidance and insights have been instrumental in helping me maintain the right perspective while I work on my thesis.
Moreover, I wish to express my deep appreciation to the 64 students at Thang Long University who participated in my research, including the 32 students who assisted with the questionnaire. Last but certainly not least, I want to offer a special thanks to my family, parents, friends, and all those who have consistently supported me. Their encouragement and support pushed me to sharpen my thinking and brought my work to a higher level. THANG LONG UNIVERSITY STATEMENT FROM CANDIDATE This graduation paper contains no material which has been submitted for examination in any other course or accepted for any other degree or diploma in any University.
To the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text. Supervisor’s signature Student’s signature (signature and full name) (signature and full name) Ỳ iin hi Pheony Gh Soa Vico Ver ABSTRACT This research investigates the impacts of mobile applications on the IELTS listening scores of 64 senior students majoring in English at Thang Long University. The participants were divided into two groups, with 32 students in the control group adhering to traditional teaching methods and avoiding mobile applications, while 32 students in the experimental group utilized mobile applications. A quantitative experimental research design, comprising pre-test and post-test assessments, was employed to assess the students’ performance.
In addition, a survey questionnaire was administered to the experimental group to gain insights into their perceptions of the improvements in their IELTS listening skill during the course. The study initially revealed that both groups had similar listening abilities, with a minimal difference of 0.016 points in their pre-test scores. However, the post-test scores exhibited a significant divergence, with an evident gap of approximately 0. The questionnaire results indicated that students experienced the most substantial enhancements in two IELTS listening components: Part three (multiple choice question types) and Part four (sentence completion question types).
These improvements were attributed to vocabulary enrichment, enhanced pronunciation, and consistent practice throughout the course by practicing with mobile apps. The research findings enhance comprehension of the impacts and roles of mobile applications for individuals preparing for the IELTS exam, fostering the integration of these applications into study routines to improve overall IELTS listening skills and performance in the comprehensive test. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. 5 HH HH HH HH hư 2 1.
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5 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICALFRAMEWORK. Mobile Applications for Language Learning: ELSA, Quizizz and Spotify. Relationship between Pronunciation, Vocabulary, and Listening Skills. English listening skills learning methods: Shadowing and Podcast usage.4 Summary of Literature REVICOW.
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-s- << SH HH ng 01000 re 35 ch 9o.1 Improvements in specific IELTS listening skills (Findings from first part of QUESTIONNAITE) 2. Underlying factors contributing to IELTS Listening skill improvement ( Findings from second part Of quesflOniai7€). 39 THANG LONG UNIVERSITY LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 3. Extracurricular IELTS listening educational Page 25 engagements using mobile apps Figure 4.
Average Pre-test IELTS Listening score of Control Page 30 Group and Experimental Group Figure 4. Pre-test scores distribution of control group and Page 31 experimental group Figure 4. Average Pre-test and Post-test IELTS Listening Page 33 scores of Control Group and Experimental Group Figure 4.The score distribution of Control group and Page 35 Experimental group LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ELSA English Language Speech Assistant IELTS International English Language Testing System ESL English as Secondary Language THANG LONG UNIVERSITY CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Rationale The vital role of English is undeniable in this era of globalization.
English is not merely a language; it is a bridge that connects cultures, facilitates communication, and opens doors to a myriad of opportunities. As the lingua franca of international business, academia, and diplomacy, English proficiency is a vital asset that transcends borders (Murata, Kumiko, 2015). Consequently, the need for a standardized assessment of English language skills has become increasingly prevalent. One such globally recognized evaluation is the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) certificate.
IELTS is not just a test; it is a symbol of one's ability to navigate the English language effectively. The necessity of obtaining an IELTS certificate is evident in various aspects, including higher education pursuits and job opportunities, which are pivotal in shaping an individual's future. This rationale explores the critical role of English language skills, particularly IELTS scores, in the context of Vietnam, emphasizing the importance of improving listening skills for success in IELTS exams. | Vietnamese students harbor ambitions to gain admission to prestigious universities, both within the country and overseas.
These aspirations are driven by a desire for quality education and the recognition of international qualifications. For many educational institutions, a good IELTS score is a prerequisite for admission, thereby acting as a gatekeeper to academic opportunities. Institutions, both in Vietnam and abroad, use IELTS scores to gauge a student's English proficiency, ensuring that they can effectively comprehend and communicate in English, which is often the medium of instruction in higher education. Hence, it is crucial for Vietnamese students to excel in JELTS exams, making it imperative to enhance their listening skills to excel in this key component of the test.
The IELTS certificate is not only important for educational pursuits but also plays a pivotal role in shaping the career prospects of individuals in Vietnam. In the competitive job market, job seekers recognize that a competitive IELTS score can be a game-changer. Many job positions, especially those requiring strong communication skills or roles in international companies, demand a certain level of English proficiency. Employers use JELTS scores as a reliable indicator of a candidate's ability to communicate effectively in English, which is often a prerequisite for success in such roles.
As a result, individuals find that having a competitive IELTS score significantly enhances their chances of securing desirable employment opportunities, career growth, and salary increments. Within the context of IELTS exams, one of the key determinants of a high score is listening skills. This component assesses an individual's ability to understand spoken English in various accents and contexts. Given that English may not be the primary language for many test-takers in Vietnam, achieving a high score in the listening section can be challenging.
Therefore, there is a growing interest and concern among IELTS candidates regarding how to effectively improve their listening skills. This research seeks to address this specific concern by investigating the potential of using mobile applications to enhance IELTS listening skills. The significance of English proficiency and the demand for IELTS certification in Vietnam is undeniable. It holds the key to accessing quality education and unlocking lucrative career opportunities.
Recognizing that a significant component of the IELTS exam. focuses on listening skills, this research aims to explore innovative ways, such as utilizing mobile applications, to help individuals improve their listening abilities and ultimately achieve success in their academic and professional endeavors. Research purpose The primary aim of this research is to gain a deep understanding of the impact of mobile applications on the improvement of IELTS listening skills among English majors at Thang Long University. By examining the experiences and outcomes of Thang Long University's English major students who use mobile applications as learning tools during their IELTS preparation, this study seeks to provide empirical evidence of the effectiveness of mobile applications in enhancing the essential listening skills required for success in the IELTS test.
The research will contribute to a THANG LONG UNIVERSITY 7 better understanding of the role of mobile applications in IELTS listening skills and to provide insights for both learners and educators at Thang Long University. Research methodology and approach This research exclusively relies on a quantitative research approach to thoroughly investigate the enhancement of IELTS listening skills among English majors at Thang Long University through the utilization of mobile applications. All aspects of this study, from data collection to analysis, are firmly rooted in quantitative methodologies. The study involves a sample of 64 students, equally divided into two groups: 32 students in a control group and 32 students in an experimental group.
The research commences with a pre-test, which uses IELTS listening test material from Cambridge to establish a baseline measurement of the initial IELTS listening skills of both groups. Subsequently, the control group receives traditional English language instruction in a conventional classroom setting, without incorporating mobile applications. On the other hand, the experimental group actively engages in JELTS listening skills instruction within the classroom, with a particular emphasis on using mobile applications to enhance their skills. This encompasses the use of mobile applications and other digital resources to enrich their IELTS listening proficiency.
After the intervention phase, a post-test is conducted using different randomly selected Cambridge IELTS test materials. The results of the post-test are then compared to the pre-test results to evaluate improvements in both groups. In addition to the quantitative tests, a quantitative questionnaire survey is administered to the 32 students in experimental group after the post-test to measure their perceptions of significant improvements in their listening skills following the three-month course. The quantitative research approach adopted in this study enables a comprehensive analysis of the impact of mobile application usage on the JELTS listening skills of English majors at Thang Long University.
Research subjects, scope, and materials Research Subjects are 64 final-year students majoring in English language at Thang Long University, specifically those with the need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher for graduation. Research Duration: 3 months. This decision to implement the research within a 3-month timeframe is based on several key factors. Firstly, the research subjects are final-year students majoring in English language at Thang Long University, individuals who possess a well-established foundation in the English language due to more than three years of specialized coursework at the university.
Secondly, in alignment with guideline from IDP Vietnam, it is important to note that our research participants are not beginners in English language learning. Typically, students starting with an initial IELTS score of 4.5, who may be considered beginners, require an additional 2-3 months of preparation to achieve a score within the 5. Conversely, for students who already have a solid foundation in English, such as those with an initial score between 5.5, it is reasonable to expect that they would require a shorter period, typically around one month, for focused study to reach the 6.