The use of technologies in teaching IELTS at naturally english speaking language center (NES) teachers and students perspectives master of TESOL

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING BA RIA VUNG TAU UNIVERSITY THESIS TRAN THI THUY DUNG THE USE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING IELTS AT NATURALLY ENGLISH SPEAKING LANGUAGE CENTER (NES): TEACHERS’ AND STUDENTS’ PERSECTIVES BA RIA VUNG TAU 2022 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING BA RIA VUNG TAU UNIVERSITY THESIS THE USE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING IELTS AT NATURALLY ENGLISH SPEAKING LANGUAGE CENTER (NES): TEACHERS’ AND STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES Submitted to the Postgraduate Institute in partial fulfilment of the Master’s degree in TESOL Course code: MTSOL18K2 By TRAN THI THUY DUNG Student’s code: 18110101 Supervised by: NGUYEN HOANG TUAN, Ph.D BA RIA VUNG TAU 2022 MASTER’S THESIS REPORT Ba Ria Vung Tau, 20th March 2022 Student name: TRAN THI THUY DUNG Date of birth: 30 January 1982 Major: Sex: Female Place of birth: Vung Tau Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Student code: 18110101 I- Thesis title: “The use of technologies in teaching IELTS at Naturally English Speaking Language Center (NES): Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives” II- Objectives: This study aims to closely and thoroughly inspect teachers’ and student’s perspectives of using technologies in teaching IELTS with knowledge-based approaches at the context of Naturally English Speaking Language Center (NES) The research objectives are as follows: - To investigate the teachers’ self-efficacy, attitudes and ICT utility toward use of technologies in teaching IELTS at the context of NES - To investigate students’ Perceived of Easy to Use (POEU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), attitudes, behavior towards ICT use, as well as contextual factors of ICT use to learn IELTS at NES To answer the two below thesis’ question: From teachers’ perspectives, what are benefits and challenges when using ICT to teach IELTS at NES? From students’ perspectives, what are students’ benefits and challenges when using ICT to learn IELTS at NES? This study was conducted at the context of Naturally English Speaking Language Centre (NES) Participants were 25 IELTS teachers and 200 students from classes from Preparation-IELTS and IELTS classes of Vung Tau branches of the system They participated in surveys designed with system of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews which focused on plenty of factors Firstly, these questionnaires are about teacher’s and students’ perspectives on ICT use for IELTS teaching and learning Secondly, five elements to consider when studying for the IELTS utilizing IT tools: ICT Utilizing, English Environment, Interactive ability and means, Strategic and organizational learning and knowledge-based approach In addition, a statics of technology tools used for teaching IELTS also made for a reference and comparison on the technology need of teachers and students so that the researcher makes any conclusion or and suggestion on how the teachers and students at NES use ICT Orderly, there are many technology-based facilities such as self- study rooms, smart classrooms, multimedia rooms to assist students to study English As a result, in order to learn properly, learners must assume responsibility III- Starting date: June 1st 2020 IV- Completing date: March 30th 2022 V- Academic supervisor: Nguyen Hoang Tuan, Ph D ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR SCHOOL DEAN ii CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I certify my authorship of the Master’s Thesis submitted today entitled: “THE USE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING IELTS AT NATURALLY ENGLISH SPEAKING LANGUAGE CENTER (NES): TEACHERS’ AND STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES” Ba Ria Vung Tau, March 2022 TRAN THI THUY DUNG iii RETENTION AND USE OF THE THESIS I, TRAN THI THUY DUNG, a candidate for the Master of TESOL degree, thus declare that I accept the University's rules for the keeping and use of Master's Theses deposited in the library In accordance with these terms, I agree that the original of my Master's Thesis deposited in the library should be available for study and research purposes, in accordance with the Librarian's regular rules for the care, lending, and replication of theses Ba Ria Vung Tau, March 2021 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my Supervisor, Dr Nguyen Hoang Tuan, for his professional guidance, efforts, and support he provided me during the many stages of completing my Master Thesis His unwavering encouragement, counsel, and patience have been essential to me His leadership abilities, teaching quality, true compassion, and academic integrity have taught me a great deal about what counts most in lecturer education and in life I would like to take this occasion to thank the examiners for reviewing my proposal and providing detailed remarks and recommendations during the thesis defense I am particularly grateful for the active engagement of students and teachers in this study project, as well as the assistance of teachers and students at Natural English School Without the crucial information they contributed, this study would not have been feasible Finally, I want to express my thankfulness to my family for their unfailing support and encouragement Without them, I might not have gotten as far in my academic career as I have v ABSTRACTS The research aimed to investigate teachers’ self-efficacy, attitudes and ICT utility toward use of technologies in teaching IELTS at the context of NES and to investigate students perceived of easy to use (POEU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), attitudes, behavior towards ICT use, as well as contextual factors of ICT use to learn IELTS at NES A descriptive qualitative method, surveys and interviews were used as instruments The quantitative data from questionnaires were processed by SPSS, while the qualitative data from interviews were analyzed using the content analysis approach The result of this research shows that the teachers used kinds of technologies including informative constructive tools, communicative tools, resignation devices and constructive tools Teacher preferred use of technology because students motivated, interested and surrounded by English environments for gaining knowledge for IELTS strategies Also, ICT helped teachers displaying materials, send assignments and give notification very conveniently motivate students to learn This study also shows that students are interested in using ICT in learning IELTS and be motivated to learn In addition, various aspects of technology used in Ielts teaching by developing innovative curricula that take advantage of recent scientific and technological developments Training teachers in technological skills was to ensure effective and quality subject delivery Providing technical media such as audio-visual and modern technical programs, and establishing student-teacher platforms that maximize positive language learning outcomes Some previous relevant literature has been studied The correlation with modern teaching skills has been completely evaluated for the goals of this study Accordingly, the researcher discusses the main research question, clarifies the importance of the research objectives and hypotheses, and summarizes the findings The study was finished by making a number of recommendations that could help to improve teaching methods even further by promoting the wider use of current technologies Keywords: knowledge-based approach; impacts of technology; ICT; IELTS learning; English learning environments effectively; benefits; challenges vi vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Certificate of originality iii Retention and use of the thesis iv Acknowledgements v Abstracts vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the study 1.2 Statement of the Problem 1.3 Aims of the Study 1.4 Research Questions 1.5 Scope of the Study 1.6 Significance of the Study 1.7 Definitions of the Terms CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 10 2.1 Introduction 10 2.2 Concepts related to the study 10 2.2.1 Knowledge-based approach in teaching and learning IELTS 10 2.2.2 The Use of ICT in Teaching and Learning IELTS 13 2.2.3 Benefits and Challenges in using ICT in teaching and learning IELTS from teachers’ and students’ perspectives’ 15 2.2.4 Organizational Learning 17 2.3 Previous Studies on the Benefits and Challenges of Technology in Improving Language Skills 19 2.4 The Conceptual Framework 19 CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research Site 23 23 49 Schools with limited access to ICT Time constraints teacher 50 incompetence 51 Instructors' pedagogical support is insufficient POEU 52 It's very tough to incorporate ICT into the curriculum 53 I believe that using ICT in the classroom is a waste of time 54 The majority of instructors oppose the use of ICT in the classroom PU 55 Teachers not have enough technical support 56 Organization of the school grounds (classroom size and furniture etc) I face classroom management in 57 using ICT to teach speaking and listenning I am convinced that my students 58 will learn more effectively without the use of technology Actual Usage While using both ICT and 59 whiteboards, there aren't enough interactive whiteboards 60 When ICT is used in the classroom, students pay less attention If ICT is used in the classroom, 61 students make no effort for their lesson 62 The classroom management is out of control if ICT is used in teaching APPENDIX B QUESTIONNAIRES 67 QUESTIONAIRES FOR STUDENTS (BẢN KHẢO SÁT – DÀNH CHO HỌC VIÊN) “THE USE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING IELTS AT SYSTEM OF NATURAL ENGLISH CENTER (NES): TEACHERS’ AND STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES” “Quan điểm Giáo viên Học sinh v/v Sử dụng Công nghệ thông tin việc giảng dạy IELTS hệ thống Anh Ngữ Tự Nhiên” Dears Students, The following questionnaire is designed for a study entitled “The use of technologies in teaching IELTS at System of Natural English Center (NES): Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives” This questionnaire is not a test so there are no “right” or “wrong” answers and you not even have to write your name on it The results of this survey will be used only for research purposes, so please give your answers sincerely, as only this will ensure the success of this project Thank you very much for your participant! Thân gửi bạn học viên, Xin gửi đến bạn khảo sát cho đề tài nghiên cứu “Quan điểm Giáo viên Học sinh v/v Sử dụng Công nghệ thông tin (CNTT) việc giảng dạy IELTS hệ thống Anh Ngữ Tự Nhiên” Bản câu hỏi vấn kiểm tra, khơng có nhận xét sai bạn vui lịng khơng để tên vào khảo sát Kết khảo sát sử dụng cho đề tài nghiên cứu trên, xin vui lòng trả lời câu hỏi khảo sát cách chân thật Xin cảm ơn cộng tác bạn PART 1: DEMOGRAPHIC BACKGROUND (Thông tin cá nhân) Your age (Độ tuổi) A 12 – 14 B 15-18 C Over 18 Your gender (giới tính) B Male (nam) B Female (nữ) C Other (khác) Student level (Trình độ học vấn) A Junior High Shool (THCS) B High School (THPT) 68 C BA (Đại học) E Other (Khác) 4 For how long have you been learning IELTS? (Bạn học IELTS rồi?) A Under year B – years C Over years Do you use technology-based devices to learn IELTS? (Bạn có dùng thiết bị CNTT để hỗ trợ cho việc học IELTS chứ?) A Yes, a much (Có, nhiều) B Yes, a little (Có, ít) C No, I not (Không) D Neutral (Không quan tâm lắm) General computer skills (MS Office, Internet, Email, Google ) A Very bad (Rất tệ) B Bad (Tệ) C Normal (Bình thường) D Good (Tốt) E Very good (Rất tốt) ICT tools you are using for IELTS learning (Những thiết bị công nghệ bạn sử dụng để học IELTS) A Điện thoại thơng minh (Smartphone) B Máy tính bảng (iPad) C Máy tính để bàn (Desktop computer) C Máy tính xách tay (Laptop) D Những thiết bị cơng nghệ khác PART II: The benefits and challenges of ICT use in learning IELTS – Students’ perspective The benefits in using ICT to learn IELTS – Students’ perspective No Items relating to use ICT to learn IELTS Always Often Sometimes Rarely Never PEOU/PU Easy for Grammar and Vocabulary check thank to software and google Google enables me to accomplish tasks more quickly 69 Using ICT enables me control speaking practice via Elsa app Attitude toward Using ICT for organizational learning I think ICT help me to easily understand teachers' Knowledge instructions Perceived I think ICT help me easily get online dictionary I think ICT help me to build up my vocabulary by excel file Data mining I think ICT help me to take note, saving lessons via iPad, capture videos, picture via iPhone I think drawing mind map via iPad help me to systemize my lessons I think ICT help me to review all lessons before any exam in a system way 10 I think of the relationship between what I already know and new things I learn in English on the Internet 11 Selfevaluation I think google help me to find more information about any issue for deeply learning and study 70 12 Technology makes me feel connected to other students in my language learning I think ICT help me to practice listening, 13 speaking with my Cooperative peer learning I think ICT help me to share tasks to prepare materials to use with an 14 interactive whiteboard, presentation, assignment I think Internet help 15 me to understand my learning course I think internet help Strategic 16 my vocabulary learning faster I think ICT help my learning more 17 attractive and exciting USAGE BEHAVIOR 18 I often read books, documents and journals on the Internet in English to improve reading skill 19 I always attend conference room to learn debate with friends and English teacher on Sunday morning 71 20 I set time to watch TV shows in English to strengthen my learning listening skills autonomously 21 I diversity ICT ways and tools to learn English 22 I try to enrol an extra English course online to improve my English autonomously Actual Use 23 I Capture photos for key words or important skills instruction at classroom 24 I learn IELTS with technology tools (e.g., iPad, laptop, cell phone) 25 I use video call to cross-check group assignment 26 I use computer to review to prepare for evaluation/test/exam 27 I find ICT make learning atmosphere more enthusiasm The challenges of ICT use to learn IELTS – Students’ perspective No Description Strongly Agree 72 Agre e Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree PEOU 28 Students' IT abilities are insufficient 29 No ability to update new app, tools Students are under pressure 30 to prepare for exams and assessments I have no time to arrange to 31 share laptop and iPhone with my parents I think getting and using information from print 32 material is better than using ICT PE I know how to use ICT but I not like to use it to 33 learn IELTS It wastes of time I find I usually Copy-Paste 34 in doing assignment and homework I suffer lazy to remember vocabulary due to 35 dependent on online dictionaries Overload ICT, I feel 36 headache When ICT is used in the 37 classroom, students pay less attention CONTEXTUAL FACTORS 38 I find no motivation in ICT use for learning 73 Students are under pressure 39 to prepare for exams and assessments 40 I cannot control time to use ICT 41 My parents limit ICT time of use While using both ICT and whiteboards, there aren't 42 enough interactive whiteboards 43 I know there aren't enough computers/LCDs at school 74 APPENDIX C SAMPLE OF INTERVIEW TEACHERS' PERSPECTIVES ON ICT INTEGRATION IN TEACHING IELTS AND THEIR ACTUAL USAGE What plans are there for assessing learning during or after class when using ICT tools? Could you tell me some difficulties when apply ICT in teaching Ielts at NES? Time management, Yes But I students' less can handle attention Do you think that technologybased language learning is important for IELTS teachers and students? What types of ICT tools you often use to teach Ielts at NES? Yes I think so Yah Very effective Laptop, Student TV, improve Projector, their website, speaking, E-book reading first Yah, I got authentic material very fast I check students' writing Yah, Zalo for sending assignment and assignment assessing Laptop, TV, Projector, some apps, Many benefits, Check grammar, spelling, teach vocabulary Oh, help me check learners’ grammars, writing What you think of using technology devices for teaching at NES is effective? CODE T1C1 T2C2 In what ways technologybased help you to improve your IELTS’ four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) teaching? Yes Because it improves skills for English tests More creative, more effective, more active Noisy class Have you got any challenge in manage time when using ICT to teach? Sometimes Could you tell me whether you believe in your technology ability? Could you tell me whether your students more active and enthusiasm learning with ICT support or not? Do you think that NES should provide more ICT tool, internet support, or other support in extent of ICT tool to improve teaching effectiveness? Yah Good Certainly Yes Certainly Yah It's ok I think some of them need no teachers Yah more easily T3C3 T4C4 Yes Because students become more and more confident when learning English Yes, of course Very convenient and expressive Laptop, TV, Projector, Students Power can learn by Points, themselves Games, Zalo, Teams Yah, laptop, some software Yes Increase English learning skills I think so through using technologies Group work assessing, involving checking It takes time Slow Internet connection Yah I need more time Or, better internet connection, Very good my ICT ability should be improved Yes Very helpful Acceptable Yah Usually Acceptable Ok STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVES IN ICT INTEGRATION TO LEARN IELTS 76 Yah Right Many things should be improved and provided yah Do you think that using technologic al tools to learn IELTS is better than traditional ways? COD E Maybe S1C1 Yes I like S2C1 What types of ICT tools you often use to learn Ielts at NES? In what ways technologybased help you to improve your IELTS’ four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) teaching? Online Dictionary, spelling check, iPad, chatting iPhone with foreign friends to practice English Many benefits, Laptop, Check TV, grammar, Projector, spelling, some apps, teach vocabulary more easily Do you use technolog y tools to learn Ielts at home? Could you tell me whether your parents encourage you to use ICT tool to learn Ielts? Could you tell me some d difficulties when apply ICT in teaching Ielts at NES? Maybe Yes, I Sometime s they give me some limitation Lowinternet connection More creative, more effective, more active Yes I see films, listen to music What you think of using technology devices for learning at NES is effective? Yah, tally 77 Low-tech Have you got any challenge in manage time when using ICT to teach? Could you tell Could you me tell me whether whether you like you your believe in teachers your to use technolog Ict tools y ability? in class or not? Do you think that NES should provide more ICT tool, internet support, or other support in extent of ICT tool to improve teaching effectivenes s? Yes But I can handle Yah Good Certainl y Yes Certainly Yeh Right Many things should be improved and provided Sometimes Yah It's ok Very convenient I can learn by my iPhone, iPad Websites, Laptop, Power Point, Word S3C1 Online Dictionary, spelling check, chatting with foreign friends to practice English Students Do can learn homewor by k themselves I think so Increase English learning skills through using technologie s I can learn everywhere and every time Yes, of course Very convenient and active Yah, laptop, some software Yes, I like Websites for reading, Zalo for chatting, commenti ng assignmen t Very active and funny Yah, It's ok Many tools iPhone, iPad Peer comments, online dictionary Writing S4C1 S1C2 S2C2 Yeh Very convenient Some platform or website is taking my time Yes But I can handle Acceptabl e Yah Right Many things should be improved and provided Games, chatting, seeing news more than learning Yah Usually Acceptabl e Ok It's ok now Many things to with Yah But sometime s they remind me of using so much yah Many things Yah Usually Very good Ok Yes Certainly Certainly Yah They stop me sometime s I play Games, chatting, seeing news more Yes But I can handle Ok Yes And training ICT tool use Yes They let me everythin g Do Yah I'm assignmen adult t 78 Excellent doing and checking spelling S3C2 I like it Website, Facebook, Zalo, Laptop, iPad Yah, I got authentic material very fast I check my writing, grammars, spelling games a lot than learning Low Internet connection s Lowtech Yah I need more time Or, better internet connection , my ICT ability should be improved Good Ok Yes And training ICT tool use Acceptabl e Ok It's ok now Yah It's ok Yes, I Seeing films, dictionary for learning vocabulary Certainly Yes Do many things: dictionary , homewor k, seeing films, listening music… It's ok I'm ok Low Internet connection s Lowtech So, wasted time It's ok S4C2 Very well Many tools iPhone, iPad, S1C3 It's ok E-book, videos, recorders, Learning vocabulary I think so Yah For some They agree It's ok A little bit OK Ok It's ok now Recorders, iPad for take note Seeing films, chatting, reading, pronunciati on checking and practising I think so Yes I it by myself No Sometimes Yes Good It's ok now S2C3 Very well 79 S3C3 I like to use it Many things Get authentic materials Very convenient, easily methods of applying technology based to study language My laptop and smartphone to improve my English S4C3 OK Yes, Doing homework S1C4 Ok iPhone, iPad, websites Selfassessment I like two Some app: Elsa for speaking practice, Zalo for chatting assignmen t attempt to complete tasks in effective ways Selfassessment through English testing online Very usually Reading a lot It's ok But, sometimes waste of time due to my lowtech Yah Messenger Reading books, ebook, listening news S2C4 S3C4 I like modern way S4C4 I like modern way Certainly Yes Chatting with friends Some limitation No NO Ok Good Yes Certainly Yes Yes I can control Yes But I can handle Ok Good Yes Certainly Selflearning No It's ok Yes Ok Ok It's ok now Selflearning Yes They let me everythin g I not think so Ok Acceptabl e Yes It's ok now Yes Yes Parents' limitation Yes Excellent Yes Internet connection should be improved Very often Sometime s, I have to share iPad with my I like to play games online the best No Everything is ok ok Yes Yes 80 younger brother 81 ...MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING BA RIA VUNG TAU UNIVERSITY THESIS THE USE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING IELTS AT NATURALLY ENGLISH SPEAKING LANGUAGE CENTER (NES): TEACHERS? ?? AND STUDENTS? ??... Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Student code: 18110101 I- Thesis title: ? ?The use of technologies in teaching IELTS at Naturally English Speaking Language Center (NES): Teachers? ?? and Students? ?? Perspectives? ??... CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I certify my authorship of the Master? ??s Thesis submitted today entitled: ? ?THE USE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN TEACHING IELTS AT NATURALLY ENGLISH SPEAKING LANGUAGE CENTER (NES): TEACHERS? ??