VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES TRAN THI KIM ANH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF APPLICATION OF STEAM EDUCATION METHOD TO TEACHING AND LEARNING ENGLISH AT A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN HA NAM (Hiệu qua cua việc áp dung phương pháp giáo duc STEAM M. MINOR THESIS - TYPE 1 Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231.01 HA NOI - 2024 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES TRAN THI KIM ANH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF APPLICATION OF STEAM EDUCATION METHOD TO TEACHING AND LEARNING ENGLISH AT A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN HA NAM (Hiệu quả cua việc áp dung phương pháp giáo duc STEAM M. MINOR THESIS - TYPE 1 Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 8140231. Võ Dai Quang HA NOI - 2024 DECLARATION I, the undersigned, hereby certify my authority of the study project report entitled “The effectiveness of the application of STEAM education method to teaching and learning English at a primary school in Ha Nam”, submitted to partially fulfill the requirements for the Master’s degree in English Language Teaching Methodology.
Aside from where references are noted, no other individual's work has been used without proper acknowledgment in the thesis text. Hanoi, 2024 Student’s signature Tran Thi Kim Anh Approved by SUPERVISOR (Signature and full name) Assoc. Võ Dai Quang Date:.- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Assoc. Vo Dai Quang, for his thorough reading, critical comments, invaluable guidance, and important corrections to the thesis.
It was his keen guidance that helped me find the right path to complete this study. I also wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues at the school and my students who were willing to answer my questions. I appreciate the assistance and cooperation of the fifth-grade students at the chosen school. Special thanks go to my family, especially my husband, who has given me constant encouragement and support throughout my research work.
ABSTRACT ii This study involves the application of the STEAM education method to teaching and learning English at a primary school in Ha Nam. The main objective of the research is to determine whether the STEAM education method can enhance the effectiveness of English teaching and learning. In this study, questionnaires, pre- and post-tests, interviews, and teacher’ diary were used as the primary data collection tools, with the participation of thirty-eight 5th-grade students. The findings from these tools indicate that there has been a significant improvement in English teaching and learning, and most students have a positive attitude towards the STEAM method.
Furthermore, the study encourages positive implications for English learning among students. Ultimately, the research results are hoped to benefit both students and teachers in applying new teaching and learning methods to English. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARA TION.- HH HH HH ng HH HH TH nà Hư 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTỨS.- HH HH HH Ho ng tr il F500. il LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.
SH HH re, vii LIST OF 0970. Vili LIST OF EIGURES.- Án ng ng ng ng tr Vili CHAPTER 1. The rationale of the SfUy. The objectives of the Study 0.
The research questions of the SfUy. The methods of the Study. The scope of the SfULỈ.- 6 c1 1019119101 ng nh ng cư, 3 1. The significance of the Study .--- Ă G3 11v HH kg ngư, 4 1.
Second language aCQUISIẨIOTN. Teaching and learning in TESOL. STEAM education: principles and component. STEAM education in English language teaching.
Review Of DreVIOUS StUCIES .- -G Ăn ng ng ty 27 R0. Definition of an action researc. Models of an action research. STEAM education method teachIng.
STEAM education method teaching mode. STEAM education method English teaching. The participants of the Study. The data collection instruments .ARẦDDIỘiiiiiiiđdđầạđAO.
Pre-test and DOSf-F€SÉS. -- -- LH HH TH HH ngư 42 4. HH TH TH tre 45 3. The data analysis.
Data analysis procedure. Analysis of the qu€SIOTTIAIT€. Data ananysis of the interview and the dIary. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION.
Findings from questionnaire. - s5 c5 SE +EE+eeEeeereeeeereerre 52 4. Findings from the English pre-test and post-teSfS. Findings from the interview anaÏyS1S.
Analysis of teacher's (Ï14TI©S,. Discussion of the ẨIndITỹS. Teaching and learning English through the STEAM education method. Attitudes towards teaching and learning English through the STEAM education Method .- --- «6 + E118 1191 11 11 v1 nh ng nh ng tre 66 R0 .- Án HH HH re 68 5.
Increasing teacher’s TOÌÏ©S. Increasing project activities for sfHd€TIES. Limitations of the Study .G- G13 E9 19 1 9 vn ng ng rệt 72 5. Suggestions for further Studies.
ccc ---- 5< 1E vn nnrey 72 335851595000.- Ghi I vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS PBL Language learning STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics TESOL Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages SLA Second language acquisition CLT Communicative Language Teaching CEF Common European Framework of Reference vil LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Units in the the fifth grade English textbook.-- ---------<<+- 38 Table 2 The results of pre-test and post- f€S( .-- 5 5< + *s+£+scseeesee 48 LIST OF FIGURES Figure | Kemmis’action research protocol.Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 2 Steam education method teaching prOC€SS.-- ---«- --«<+<s+ 36 Figure 3 Students’ mean scores of average markError! Bookmark not defined. Figure 4 Comparison of average scores between the pre-test and post-test ¬— Error! Bookmark not defined. Figure 5 Students’ attitudes toward participating in the STEAM education TOSSOMS .- Qui 53 Figure 6 Students’ attitudes toward performing the projects activities in STEAM education IessOms .ccccccccccccesssssseecccccccccscsssecccecceesaussesseceseeceeanens 54 Vili CHAPTER 1.
The rationale of the study The rationale for the present study on “The effectiveness of application of the STEAM education method to teaching and learning English at a primary school in Ha Nam province” stems from the increasing acknowledgment of the significance of STEAM education in shaping 21st- century learners (Sanders, 2009). Additionally, with the global economy placing greater emphasis on innovation, creativity, and problem-solving, the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) into education has become a promising method for developing essential skills in students (Breiner et al. STEAM education, which emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and The improvement of creative and critical thinking abilities, has been widely acknowledged for its potential to engage students and enhance their learning experiences (Perignat and Katz-Buonincontro, 2019). Moreover, this educational approach promotes active engagement in problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, which are crucial skills for thriving in today's world (Bequette & Bequette, 2012).
In Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), STEAM education has been regarded as a valuable means of motivating students and enriching language learning. By integrating STEAM concepts into English language teaching, educators can provide learners with authentic, real-world contexts for language use, making the learning experience more meaningful and relevant (Papadimitriou et al. Furthermore, STEAM- based language teaching can promote learner autonomy, as students are encouraged to explore, experiment, and inquire while using the target language (Spires et al. Despite the potential benefits of incorporating STEAM education into TESOL, there is limited research on its implementation and effectiveness, particularly in primary schools and specific regional contexts such as Ha Nam province.
As a result, there is a need for empirical studies to explore the practical application of STEAM education in language teaching and learning, particularly in terms of its impact on student motivation, engagement, and achievement. The aim of the study - Aim: The study investigates the effectiveness of application of the STEAM education method in teaching and learning English at a Ha Nam primary school. The objectives of the study + To investigate the effectiveness of application of the STEAM education method in teaching and learning English In a primary school located in Ha Nam. + To examine students’attitudes at a primary school in Ha Nam towards the STEAM education method in teaching and learning English.
The research questions of the study The following research questions are raised to achieve the objectives mentioned above: Question 1: To what extent does the STEAM education method improve English language learning among primary students at a school in Ha Nam? Question 2: What are the students’ attitudes toward employing the STEAM education method in teaching and learning English? 1. The methods of the study In this action research, the researcher utilizes both quantitative and qualitative approaches to fulfill the goals and objectives of the research. Four types of data collection instruments will be applied to triangulate the research. They are teacher’s diary, questionnaire, partially structured interviews with teachers and students, and testing evaluations.
This study involves 38 students from an entire class at a primary school in Ha Nam. Their attitudes toward the application of the STEAM education method, as well as their improvement during the action research, will be collected, evaluated, and analyzed. Action research offers a suitable research design for this study, as it provides a systematic and reflective approach to investigating the effectiveness of educational interventions (Burns, 2010). By adopting an action research framework, the present study will allow educators to examine their teaching practices and make informed decisions based on the evidence gathered throughout the research process (Kemmis et al.
Additionally, action research is particularly relevant in TESOL, as it fosters a collaborative and learner-centered environment in which teachers and students actively engage in inquiry and reflection (Burns, 2010). The scope of the study The aim of the master thesis is to assess the influence of incorporating STEAM education into English teaching at a primary school in Ha Nam, Vietnam. The research will concentrate on the fifth grade at a primary school in Ha Nam province, with a specific focus on evaluating how STEAM education affects students' English language learning, engagement, and motivation. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, such as pre-test and post-test assessments, teacher diaries, questionnaires, and interviews with both teachers and students, the study will adopt a mixed- methods approach.
The collected data will undergo analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as thematic analysis. The study will be limited to 38 students in grades five over 11 weeks. It will examine the effectiveness of integrating STEAM education into teaching English, explicitly using the existing English language curriculum. The results of this research will enhance comprehension regarding the efficiency of integrating STEAM education in a primary school in Ha Nam, Vietnam, and may inform future curriculum development and teacher training programs in the region.
The significance of the study The importance of this master's thesis lies in its role in enhancing understanding regarding the effectiveness of incorporating STEAM education into language learning, particularly within the primary school setting in Ha Nam, Vietnam. The study aims to provide empirical evidence on the impact of STEAM education on students’ English language learning, engagement, and motivation, as well as on teachers' views regarding the effectiveness of STEAM education in teaching English. The outcomes of this investigation may inform future curriculum development and teacher training programs in the region, specifically in language education. The current study will contribute to the increasing corpus of literature on STEAM education in TESOL by providing empirical evidence on the implementation and effectiveness of STEAM-based English language teaching in a primary school in Ha Nam province.
This research aims to bridge the shortfall in the prevailing literature by focusing on the primary level of education in a Vietnamese context, which has been relatively underexplored. Additionally, the study will offer awareness of the hurdles and opportunities faced by English language teachers and learners when applying the STEAM approach in their classrooms, thereby contributing to developing more effective instructional strategies and materials for TESOL practitioners. Furthermore, The results of this study might aid in the broader education community's comprehension of the impact of STEAM education in enhancing students’ learning outcomes. Finally, as STEAM education continues to gain popularity globally, this study’s findings may provide insights into its effectiveness in a different cultural context.
This study is significant because it has the potential to guide educational policies and practices.