(SKKN 2022) Techniques in teaching English vocabulary for the fourth grade students

PART INTRODUCTION 1.1 RATIONLAE Nowadays, English is considered as one of the most popular language for everyone all over the world There are many problems in learning English as listening, speaking, reading, writing, Grammar, lexicology, etc Therefore, the need of mastering a foreign language especially English, is becoming more and more necessary English is one language serves as a means of actively supporting the most efficient process of deeper integration of the country Communicative languages become an effective tool in every aspects of life Besides the mother tongue, the Vietnamese consider English as the second communicative language and the major subject in the school course To meet the growing demand as well as communication needs of society, the Ministry of Education and Training has put English into the program at Primary School The English program in Primary Schools is to form and develop for students the knowledge and basic skills in English, through learning English, students gain knowledge and their love for the Vietnamese Learning English not only contributes for the development of personality and learning style but also provides students with basic knowledge and help students understand initially the knowledge about the people and culture of English speaking countries Schmitt (2000) emphasizes that “lexical knowledge is central to communicative competence and to the acquisition of a second language” p 55) In addition, Burns (1972) defines vocabulary as" the stock of words which is used by a person, class or profession According to Zimmerman cited in Coady and Huckin (1998)‘vocabulary is central to language and of critical importance to the typical language learning Furthermore, Diamond and Gutlohn (2006) in www.readingrockets.org/article state that vocabulary is the knowledge of words and word meanings.” From the definitions above, it can be concluded that vocabulary is the total number of words that are needed to communicate ideas and express the speakers' meaning That is the reason why it is important to learn vocabulary Primary school students are new to English, so they must be taught to pronounce exactly words Listening to music in English or watching English programs on TV is necessary; Imitation is not deficient in process of teaching and learning English in primary school Imitation helps students’ learning develop further and better Grammar is formed step by step in learning procedures The students must be given more pleasure than marks Besides, giving students marks to motivate them, teachers should use other techniques during teaching procedures Using techniques not only helps teachers create exciting learning atmosphere, which is main motivation for students to try their best to gain good results but helps students actively participate in English using communicative environment without any shyness as well With the passion and the love for teaching English, I have studied and developed the research: “Techniques in teaching English vocabulary for the fourth grade students.” 1.2 AIMS OF THE STUDY My study concentrates on the way to contribute to improving the quality of teaching and learning English, helping students to better learn four English skills and help students feel more interested in learning and learning Mastering vocabulary will also help students to use this language fluently, giving them confidence in communicating with international friends Furthermore, the research purpose of this topic also helps to improve my own pedagogy After a period of teaching in elementary school and learning from friends and colleagues, I found that my students were always afraid of new words So, I've done some ways to help students learn new words more effectively 1.3 OBJECTS OF THE STUDY Research Time : School Year 2021-2022 Research Location: Hoang Thai Primary School Research Object: “Techniques in teaching English vocabulary for the fourth grade students.” The respondents of the research: With this research I focused on the primary students, especially the students of grade Systematizing some theoretical issues about the procedures and activities in teaching English vocabulary for young learners according to the communicative approach Exploring the present situation of teaching English vocabulary at Primary School and suggesting some techniques in teaching vocabulary 1.4 METHODS OF THE STUDY In teaching English, helping students learn words, memory is an indispensable teaching activities in a class So finding ways to help them learn from and remember for a long time is the responsibility of each teacher with the aim to help students understand and use the words in sentences by context and remember for a long time Best tool we can use in the classroom is a witty, teachers use a variety of materials capable of amusing and attract the attention of pupils in order to help students remember vocabulary immediately We can use repeating simple fun game or songs… to help pupils remember the words To research this topic, I rely on: - Refer to a number of English language teaching materials in primary school - Refer to program of new textbooks grade - Draw on experience of learning from colleagues and administrators - Based on the results of the quality of the school of English 1.5 NEW POINTS OF EXPERIENCE INNOVATION - Encourage students to learn and use vocabulary to communicate in English - Encourage students to study in groups and the establishment of the English-speaking or English clubs in the classroom - Give children a love, a passion for the English language - Regularly inspect and evaluate the results of student learning as well as praise, encourage timely reminder PART DEVELOPMENT 2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW Teaching vocabulary to school students remains a complicated process where the selection of contextual vocabulary find highly significant and important In order to understand a language, teachers have to invent innovative techniques in teaching vocabulary in the classrooms This study highlights several techniques pertaining to the teaching of vocabulary for the students in grade The textbook is appropriate content knowledge with reallife students and there are many beautiful pictures, easy on the eyes, to make my interest to students Homework is varied of vocabulary Just as the primary school level, but parents are concerned about their child's learning enthusiastically support the increase of knowledge The development of information technology helps teachers with resources, images over the Internet To the pupils, besides a number of serious study with many students all through the speakers, not inculcate vocabulary in memory, not reading writing regularly Because at this age they are very playful, active learning should be highly award Parents’ checking to the children at home also face difficulties Since this is a foreign language and not many parents know to guide learning In the lesson, to help them remember the word, the teacher often organizes the games, students will be very excited, but classes will be very susceptible to noise and so as to control, teachers need organize and help class be stable If you want your child to be a stellar student, don not limit learning to the walls of his classroom Although the skills he is learning there are crucial to his intellectual and social growth, your child needs your help to open up the world of ideas His renewed joy in discovery will transfer to his schoolwork, so you will boost his academic achievement too! Encourage him to express his opinion, talk about his feelings, and make choices He can pick out a side dish to go with dinner and select his own extracurricular activities Ask for his input on family decisions, and show that you value it Show enthusiasm for your child's interests and encourage her to explore subjects that fascinate her If she is a horse nut, offer her stories about riding or challenge her to find five facts about horses in the encyclopedia Provide him with play opportunities that support different kinds of learning styles - from listening and visual learning to sorting and sequencing Supplies that encourage open - ended play, such as blocks, will develop your child’s creative expression and problem-solving skills as he builds He'll need lots of unstructured play time to explore them Point out the new things you learn with enthusiasm Discuss the different ways you find new information, whether you're looking for gardening tips on the Internet or taking a night class Ask about what he's learning in school, not about his grades or test scores Have him teach you what he learned in school today - putting the lesson into his own words will help him retain what he learned Help your child organize her school papers and assignments so she feels in control of her work Check in with her regularly to make sure she's not feeling overloaded Turn everyday events into learning opportunities Encouraging him to explore the world around him, asking questions and making connections 2.2 SITUATION 2.2.1 To the teachers The amount of new words in each lesson is too many, so the teacher does not have enough time to complete all the words, forcing the teacher to just put the meaning of the word, the students copy and memorize the machine to save time, Focus on the practice of grammar structure So students have to learn a lot of vocabulary but they are less used so they learn and forget easily The content of many units is very difficult, very abstract, requiring teachers to have good knowledge, leading teachers to provide new words passively, ineffective; It is mostly for students to use their mother tongue to translate words 2.2.2 To the students The majority of students usually have fewer words, or they have learnt passive, not reaching the communication requirements, such as: not words; Do not remember the meaning of the word; Attached but not associated with the pattern to practice; Since then, after being provided with grammar (grammar and vocabulary), students are unable to complete the next skill (listening, speaking, reading and writing) Difficult to check or guide children to learn at home Because this is a foreign language, not all parents know This is also a very difficult problem in the management of studying students at home In addition, the way students learn vocabulary is also worth attention Students themselves are not fully aware of the importance of learning vocabulary but focus on grammar or sentence structure They usually learn vocabulary by reading words in English and trying to remember meaning in Vietnamese That is why they are so quick to forget and easily confuse one word with another This led to the state of many students have psychological depression; Teachers need to pay attention to their psychology 2.2.3 To the parents Most parents not have the knowledge of English, so there is no condition for tutoring The importance of English in primary school has not been recognized Many parents are not really interested in their children's education The result before applying this research: Up to 50% of them have not memorized vocabulary Up to 50% of students are not interested in learning and they don’t also use English for communicating in learning process have not used in communication as well as in the corresponding grammar exercises Even good students not have the confidence to communicate The result at the beginning of the first semester, school year 2021-2022: The quality Numbers Grade Very good Good Average Try more of students Number (%) Number (%) Number (%) Number (%) 4A 4B 4C Sum 30 26,6 12 40 23,3 10,1 27 14,8 33,3 10 37 14,9 30 20 11 36,6 30 13,4 87 18 20,6 32 36,7 26 29,8 11 12,9 As a result, I found that the percentage of students who memorized vocabulary was low I have such low results, I see some of the following causes: The first: Teachers introduce new words that have not followed the steps that are only taken from their own point of view The second: The choice of words to introduce is not appropriate Identify the factors to clarify when introducing bad words The Third: Not know how to use the right tips to build vocabulary The assessment of students is not reasonable From the above situation, I boldly proposed some measures with the desire to improve the quality of teaching and learning English 2.3 SOLUTION 2.3.1 Choose the right technique to teach the meaning of the word As we know in the principle of vocabulary teaching, the teacher must find ways to make students discover for themselves the meaning of the words without using the mother tongue to translate from there In that way, the teaching and learning of new vocabulary is effective and true to the requirements of innovation There are many tricks to teach words, but it is important for teachers to choose the right tricks for each word, to coordinate the rhythmic and scientific procedures to bring about positive effects; Avoid students rote memorization, rote learning, cannot learn from the learned To introduce words visually, we can use the following tips: 2.3.1.1 Using means Teachers hold real objects or point at objects around to clarify vocabulary Example: Unit 8: What subjects you have today? - Lesson -page 52 - English 4-Viet Nam Education Pulishing House When introducing the word "English" the teacher pointed at the English book and said, "I have English , English, English " Then ask the students to repeat the " English " prompt repeatedly to remember the word This is a highly effective, direct, fun, and impressive word-finding technique Notice that real objects should be introduced quickly, easily and clearly 2.3.1.2 Using facial expressions, gestures, mime Example: Unit 5: Can you swim? - Lesson 1- page 30 - English 4- Viet Nam Education Pulishing House By swimming, the teacher introduces the verb "swim" 2.3.1.3 Using pictures: Teachers can use: - Painting by the Ministry of Education (paintings, plastic) - Collected images from newspapers, calendars; Homemade paintings + Use pictures to teach on the subject of animals: country, nationality… Example: Unit 2: Where are you from – page 12 - English - Viet Nam Education Pulishing House Australia Malaysia America Japan 2.3.1.4 Introduction from situations, contexts Use example sentences: give illustrative examples, use words in context situations This is a very useful method of teaching abstract vocabulary Example: Unit 1: Nice to see you again- Page -Viet Nam Education Pulishing House T: Good morning/good afternoon/ good evening are greetings Teacher must ensure that students understand the example Therefore the illustrative example should be simple, clear and use the new word 2.3.1.5 Using synonyms, antonyms We use synonyms or antonyms to clarify the meaning of a word when the students already know the meaning of a word in a pair of synonyms, antonyms - Synonyms nice = beautiful, clever =intelligent Bike = bicycle - Antonym Like (adj) > < Hate(adj) Cheap(adj) > < Expensive(adj) Black(adj) > < White(adj) Rich(adj) > < Poor(adj) Tall (adj) > < Short(adj) Old (adj) > < Young (adj) 2.3.1.6 Use explanation, or translate into Vietnamese There are many abstract words that we can not use simple sentences, visual aids, drawings, gestures, gestures, etc Then we have to explain or translate into Vietnamese 2.3.1.7 Teach vocabulary through songs, chants, video clips We use video clips, songs, chant all very effective in learning and introduce vocabulary Sometimes they just belong songs, chant that they had a relative vocabulary This method helps the children learn from a natural, comfortable without being forced to learn With this method the teacher should invest the time to find on the website of the song, chant, the video clips matching content lesson, psychological and physical fit his or her age I think that using this method to teach and reinforce vocabulary very effectively, can encouraging all pupils to participate Example : Unit 5: What can you do? – Lesson – Page 31- English Viet Nam Education Pulishing House This song is suitable for deepening the special vocabulary and for celebrating these occasions in the school They emphasize the cultural aspect of songs Example 1: “What can you do” song (from websites on the internet) Through this short song, students can review the action verbs such as: swim, read a book, play the guitar… The combination of education for the children the sense of love and protect animals How about you ? How about you ? How about you ? How about you ? What can you do? Jump I can jump Jump I can jump Jump, Jump, Jump I can jump Swim I can swim Swim I can swim Swim, Swim, Swim I can swim …………………… …………… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MKmbyfhkkE) Months of the year ! Example : Unit 4: When’s your birthday? Lesson - Page 27 - English 4January, February, March Viet Nam Education Pulishing House Now it’s time to start April, May and June Sing a happy tune July, August, september Let’s play together October, November and December Remember, Remember, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPeAo1hz8GA) While saying this rhyme the children can sing , clap their hands and review some words about months of the year 2.3.2 Consolidate, test new words learned: Student vocabulary test is also an important part of the teaching process It determines how well the students know the word Checking is a quick test after completing a vocabulary introduction Examination activities in each lecture are often taught by teachers in the form of games that make the student more interested in the lesson After introducing new words, I often check the students' memorization by using the following tips: 2.3.2.1 Slap the board: The teacher writes the part of the presentation or pastes the word from the board Ask the students to tap on the word or picture when the teacher reads the word (from the board in English, read in Vietnamese and vice versa) Example: Unit 10: Where were you yesterday? Lesson1 – page 64 English 4- Viet Nam Education Pulishing House (Checking vocabulary) The teacher reads the Vietnamese meaning of the words, asking the students to slap on the corresponding meaning At home In the school library At the zoo On the beach In the classroom 2.3.2.2 What and Where Write the words you just introduced into the circles on the board, let the students read and erase the words, then ask them to rewrite them from the correct place 2.3.2.3 Noughts and Crosses: Nine squares on the board, each box contains a word or a drawing Divide students into groups, one group is Noughts (O) and one group is Crosses (X) The two groups in turn select from the box and set the sentence The group that sets the correct sentence will be an O or an X The group that has three O or three X in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal row will win Example: Unit 12 - What does your father do? Lesson1 – Page 18 English 4- Viet Nam Education Pulishing House (Checking vocabulary) Teacher asks students to put sentences, using words in the following boxes: Played chess Watched TV Took photos Watered the flowers Painted a picture Rode a bike Played badminton Listened to music Played basketball 2.3.2.4 Jumbled words Teachers write words with disturbed letters, then ask the students to write the words correctly Example: Unit 3: What day is it, today? Lesson - Page 18 English 4Viet Nam Education Pulishing House (Checking vocabulary) Teacher gives the following words and asks students to rearrange the letters for the correct location 2.3.2.5 Word square: The teacher prepares the crossword containing the words that have been introduced, asking the students to circle the words they found Example: Unit 3: What day is it today? Lesson 1- page 18 - English 4Viet Nam Education Pulishing House (Checking vocabulary) Teacher asks students to find the days of the week they have learned 2.3.2.6 Matching Teachers write the new words in a list on the left hand side of the board Write the definitions, translations or pictures on the right hand side of the board Ask the student to come to the board to match the items on the left with those ones on the right by drawing the line between them Example: Unit 10: Where were you yesterday? Lesson1 - page 64 -English 4- Viet Nam Education Pulishing House (Checking vocabulary) Watching TV 10 Having dinner Dancing Singing Riding a bike Running 2.3.2.7 Networks Students write from point to point Example: Unit 1: Nice to see you again? Lesson - page - English 4Viet Nam Education Pulishing House Teachers can check greetings by asking students to write words up on the board 2.3.2.8 Hangman The teacher tiles the short lines on the board Each tile represents an alphabet in a word The student turns to guess the letters in the word Example: Unit 6: Where’s your school? Lesson1 - page 40 - English 4Viet Nam Education Pulishing House Teachers can make suggestions: 11 This word has letters _ _ _ _ _ _ It's a unit of district (village) 2.3.2.9 Simon says Teacher says: Simon says “…… ” students have to as ordered Example: Unit 9: What are they doing ?Lesson - page 58 - English 4Viet Nam Education Pulishing House Teacher says “ Simon says reading a book” Students have to action Teacher says “ Simon says playing football ” Students have to action Then similarly with : watching a video, reading a text… 2.3.2.10 Magical spinner/finger Teacher uses the spinner/finger, then call a few students from each team to participate in the game Each of them will have a spin, the spinning top stops in which word or in which picture, the students of that team will read that word aloud If they read correctly, exactly will bring stars to their team Example: Unit 3: What day is it today? Lesson 1- page 18 - English 4Viet Nam Education Pulishing House 2.4 The effect of initiative application In the first term of school year 2021 - 2022, I was assigned to teach English for students in grade (new textbook); I have used the above vocabulary tips, myself noticed some encouraging changes, specifically as follows: Students are more interested in English and enthusiastically use English to communicate at school 12 The atmosphere of English class is becoming more exciting and with what students have acquired, they use them for communication in a natural way Teachers have a wide selection of techniques It’s easier for them to organize and control learning activities The students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills have improved significantly; The density of the words learned into the skill improvement is higher Classes become more lively, more relaxed; The relationship between teacher and students, students with students become friendly; Promoting the positive dynamics of students Students learn how to form self-learning vocabulary at home; Focus your attention on the exams in the classes, take part in the review of your essay, and cultivate their vocabulary Students participate actively in tricks, language games to reinforce, test words; Resolve good vocabulary exercises in the tests A larger number of students like learning English, approximately estimated 90% The specific result at the end of the first semester (2021-2022) The quality Numbers Grade Very good Good Average Try more of students Number (%) Number (%) Number (%) Number (%) 4A 30 12 40 10 33,3 23,3 3,4 4B 27 33,3 10 37 22,2 7,5 4C 30 30 12 40 30 0 Sum 87 30 34,4 32 36,7 22 25,2 3,7 The quality of teaching and learning in the first semester is higher this year than last year This studying will help teachers to complete their teaching plan for grade in a view to meeting the request of the program and getting high achievements The procedures with a variety of techniques encourage students to study English attentively and take part in learning tasks actively and fervently Some imagines for checking techniques in English lessons for grade students at Hoang Thai primary school th 13 Game : “ Slap the board” Chanting Game: “Magical spinner” Singing 14 Students’excitement PART CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 Conclusions Using techniques in teaching English is extremely necessary, which decides whether teachers are successful in teaching or not since techniques used by teachers in teaching process draw students’ attention to learning They don’t feel strained, in contrast they are more relaxed and interested in activities during English classes Students will also make progresses in learning english rapidly by themselves, they will be more self-confident in talking and lisening skills because they are given more opportunities for speaking and listening with techniques If few techniques are used in a language class, the period will be very boring, result in less students’ love for a foreign language Therefore, it is difficult for teachers to teach better at higher levels If so, I wonder whether we can reach the aims of the primay english program In order to teach creativity, teachers must make efforts to think of creative situations in which students take part to enhance their creativity, curiosity and eagerness for study Nothing but techniques lead teachers to success It is important I choose this topic It is very necessary for teachers to gain success in the first stage of teaching our beloved children English, an international language used worldwide Above mentioned techniques are easy for teachers to apply to teaching english in some units Moreover, students are very fond of periods with these techniques There are many other techniques teachers can use in teaching These are not enough, however, they are new and effective I hope my colleagues will not hesitate to use these in their teaching plans, obviously in each english class 15 and these techniques will be creatively used 3.2 Recommendations In response to good teaching and learning English in elementary schools and applying the effective way to teach the grade students I mentioned above, I expect leaders to pay special attention and Invest more in teaching facilities such as function rooms, pictures, reference books to better serve teaching and learning English in elementary schools I suggest that Department of Hoang Hoa Education and training will organize an English exchange program for all English primary teachers so that we have opportunity to share experience and initiatives in teaching English and have chance to practice speaking English with each other Sincerely thank you! HEADMASTER’S CONFIRMATION Hoang Hoa, April 7th, 2022 I swear this is my own writing, did not copy other people's contents Lê Thị Ngọc Lan Hoàng Thị Thơm 16 REFERENCES English (Viet Nam Education Pulishing House) English language Teachimg Method (2003) New language teaching methods Techniques in teaching Vocabulary Methods of teaching English in the school level Biber, Douglas, et al (1999) Longman Grammar of Spoken English Harlow, Essex: Longman ISBN 0-582-23725-4 Jespersen, Otto (1949) A Modern English Grammar on Historical Principles Part (Syntax, vol 1) Copenhagen: Munksgaard; London: George Allen and Unwin The Practise of English language Teaching of Harmer, Jeremy Strategies for teaching Vocabulary : Theory and Technique of Lisa Van Gemert 10 https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/songs 10.Textbook of Biological Psychiatry – 2004 – Jaak Panksepp - John Wiley &Sons, Ltd 17 DANH MỤC SKKN ĐÃ ĐƯỢC HỘI ĐỒNG SKKN NGÀNH GD&ĐT HUYỆN(TP), TỈNH VÀ CÁC CẤP CAO HƠN XẾP LOẠI TỪ C TRỞ LÊN Họ tên tác giả : Hồng Thị Thơm Chức vụ cơng tác : Giáo viên Trường TH Hoằng Thái – Huyện Hoằng Hóa, Tỉnh Thanh Hóa TT Tên đề tài SKKN Teaching English by short songs at primary school Increasing studentstudent interaction through role play activities in speaking skill Cấp đánh giá Kết đánh XL(Ngành GD giá xếp loại cấp Huyện/Tỉnh; (A, B C) Tỉnh) Phòng GD&ĐT B Hoằng Hóa Năm học đánh giá xếp loại Phịng GD&ĐT Hoằng Hóa 2019-2020 C 2015 - 2016 18 ... invent innovative techniques in teaching vocabulary in the classrooms This study highlights several techniques pertaining to the teaching of vocabulary for the students in grade The textbook is... suggesting some techniques in teaching vocabulary 1.4 METHODS OF THE STUDY In teaching English, helping students learn words, memory is an indispensable teaching activities in a class So finding... Choose the right technique to teach the meaning of the word As we know in the principle of vocabulary teaching, the teacher must find ways to make students discover for themselves the meaning of the