(Skkn 2023) some techniques for 12th graders at yen thanh 2 high school to effectively deal with synonym and antonym questions in the national high school graduation examination

SỞ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO NGHỆ AN TRƯỜNG THPT YÊN THÀNH SÁNG KIẾN KINH NGHIỆM Some techniques for 12th graders at Yen Thanh high school to effectively deal with synonym and antonym questions in the national high school graduation examination Môn/ Lĩnh vực: Tiếng Anh Người thực hiện: Võ Thị Thanh Hoà Tổ: Ngoại ngữ Điện thoại: 0986.790.277 NĂM HỌC: 2022 - 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS PAGE PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1 Rationale Aims of the study PART 2: CONTENT I THEORETICAL BACKGROUND An overview of Synonyms and Antonyms 1.1 What are synonyms? 1.2 What are antonyms? Some principles of teaching Synonyms and Antonyms II PRACTICAL BACKGROUND Advantages Disadvantages III THE STUDY Methodology 5 1.1 Participants 1.2 Instrumentation 1.3 Data collection procedures Findings of the study 2.1.Reality of students‟ ability to synonyms and antonyms exercises in the researcher‟s school 2.2.Feasibility of motivating students through techniques to teach synonyms and antonyms tasks Solutions 3.1 Some important factors related to synonyms and antonym games 8 3.1.1 Rules of games 3.1.2 Interaction 3.1.3 Time limitation to tackle the games and show the results 3.1.4 Assessments 3.1.5 Selecting target synonyms and antonyms 3.1.6 Procedure 3.2 Some tips to help students effectively the synonym – antonym questions in the national high school graduation exam 3.2.1 Identify root words 3.2.2 Look for context clues 3.2.3 Use process of elimination 10 3.2.4 Pay attention to prefixes and suffixes 10 3.2.5 Use a thesaurus 10 3.2.6 Directly replace the given options on the underlined 11 3.3 Suggested techniques to teach synonyms and antonyms 11 3.3.1 Synonym/ Antonym Bingo Game 11 3.3.2 Synonym/antonym crosswords 12 3.3.3 Synonym/ Antonym matching game 13 3.3.4 Writing synonyms/ antonyms and passing around 14 3.4 Some samples 4.The survey on the urgency and the feasibility of the recommended solutions 15 35 4.1.The aim of the survey 35 4.2 The content and method of the survey 35 4.3 Respondents (survey subjects) 37 4.4.The survey results on the urgency and feasibility of the proposed solutions 38 4.4.1.The urgency of the proposed solutions 38 4.4.2.The feasibility of the proposed solutions 39 PART 3: CONCLUSION 41 Summary of the study 41 Limitations 41 Suggestions for further study 41 REFERENCES 43 APPENDICES 44 C.33.44.55.54.78.65.5.43.22.2.4 22.Tai lieu Luan 66.55.77.99 van Luan an.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.33.44.55.54.78.655.43.22.2.4.55.22 Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an PART INTRODUCTION Rationale Practice demonstrates that vocabulary is the foundation of learning any new language for the goal of communication Learners will be unable to effectively communicate or convey their ideas unless they have a large vocabulary As a result, learning vocabulary becomes extremely essential for students It is true that students are hesitant to learn vocabulary, and because of this, students have difficulty taking tests, particularly the high school graduation examination Recently, an English test of the high school graduation examination has included 50 challenging questions ranging from simple to complicated form to check students‟ ability in four levels: recognition; understanding, low application and high application There are merely four questions in totally 50 questions relating to closest/opposite meaning of words/phrases However, as can be seen, in reading comprehensive questions, there are also some questions relating to this type If students are equipped with techniques on how to deal with this type of exercise, they can have better results in their tests, especially this examination The type of question "Find synonyms - antonyms” is relatively difficult and confusing in vocabulary lessons for students This significantly affects the results of the high school exam One of the greatest reasons for this situation is that students not have enough motivation doing this type of exercise When confronted with synonyms and antonyms in exam preparation, the majority of them become discouraged and uninterested Another cause for this is due to students‟ lack of a wide range of vocabulary from their early age As a result, they have a difficulty comprehending and guessing the meaning of vocabulary questions From the aforementioned fact, it is urgent for teachers to make discoveries and innovative methods to improve the overall quality of teaching in order to assist students in making significant progress in language practice in real-world situations thanks to a vast knowledge of vocabulary acquired during English classes More practically, it stimulates them to perform better on tests, particularly the National High School Graduation Examination That is the reason why the study was carried out, entitled „Some techniques for 12 graders at Yen Thanh high school to effectively deal with synonym and antonym questions in the national high school graduation examination‟ Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhd 77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77t@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn.Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhddtt@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn C.33.44.55.54.78.65.5.43.22.2.4 22.Tai lieu Luan 66.55.77.99 van Luan an.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.33.44.55.54.78.655.43.22.2.4.55.22 Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an Aims of the study: The study aims at suggesting some techniques to motivate 12 th graders to participate actively in synonym and antonym activities, thereby helping them to effectively deal with synonym and antonym questions in the national high school graduation examination Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhd 77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77t@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn.Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhddtt@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn C.33.44.55.54.78.65.5.43.22.2.4 22.Tai lieu Luan 66.55.77.99 van Luan an.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.33.44.55.54.78.655.43.22.2.4.55.22 Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an PART CONTENT I THEORETICAL BACKGROUND An overview of synonyms and antonyms 1.1 What are synonyms? Synonyms are words that have similar meanings, while antonyms are words that have opposite meanings In other words, synonyms are words that can be used interchangeably in a particular context, while antonyms are words that are opposites of each other in meaning For example, the words "happy" and "joyful" are synonyms, while the words "happy" and "sad" are antonyms Understanding synonyms and antonyms is important for vocabulary development, as it allows students to broaden their vocabulary and express themselves more precisely in both written and oral communication It is also a key skill tested in standardized exams, such as the National High School Graduation Examination A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language For example, in the English language, the words begin, start, commence, and initiate are all synonyms of one another: they are synonymous The standard test for synonymy is substitution: one form can be replaced by another in a sentence without changing its meaning Words are considered synonymous in only one particular sense: For example, long and extended in the context long time or extended time are synonymous, but long cannot be used in the phrase extended family (Wikipedia) According to the language dictionary, synonyms are words that mean the same or are almost identical Synonyms divided into two categories are complete synonyms and incomplete synonyms The first type is words with exactly the same meaning, used equally and interchangeably in most cases The second type are words with the same meaning but still differ somewhat expressive shades (denoting emotions, attitudes ) or how to act When using these words, we have to consider the choice accordingly 1.2 What are antonyms? The term antonym (and the related antonymy) is commonly taken to be synonymous with opposite, but antonym also has other more restricted meanings Graded (or gradable) antonyms are word pairs whose meanings are opposite and which lie on a continuous spectrum (hot, cold) Complementary antonyms are word pairs whose meanings are opposite but whose meanings not lie on a continuous spectrum (push, pull) Relational antonyms are word pairs where opposite makes sense only in the context of the relationship between the two meanings (teacher, pupil) These more restricted meanings may not apply in all Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhd 77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77t@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn.Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhddtt@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn C.33.44.55.54.78.65.5.43.22.2.4 22.Tai lieu Luan 66.55.77.99 van Luan an.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.33.44.55.54.78.655.43.22.2.4.55.22 Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an scholarly contexts, with Lyons (1968, 1977) defining antonym to mean gradable antonyms, and Crystal (2003) warning that antonymy and antonym should be regarded with care (Wikipedia) Antonyms are words with opposite meanings Similar to synonyms, we also have two types of antonyms that are complete antonyms and incomplete antonyms From the concepts mentioned above, there are some points we need to keep in mind as follows: Whether the words are considered synonymous or completely opposite, there are differences between them and cannot be used interchangeably in any case Therefore, besides teaching and learning the meaning of words, we need to pay attention to the context in which synonyms or antonyms can be used Some principles of teaching synonyms and antonyms Here are some principles for teaching synonyms and antonyms: *Start with basic vocabulary: Before teaching more advanced synonyms and antonyms, it is important to ensure that students have a strong foundation in basic vocabulary This can be done through various activities such as word matching exercises, picture-based vocabulary games, and reading comprehension tasks *Use context: Understanding the context in which a word is used is crucial for identifying synonyms and antonyms Teachers should provide examples of how different words can be used in different contexts and encourage students to look for contextual clues when identifying synonyms and antonyms *Provide visual aids: Using visual aids such as diagrams, flashcards, and mind maps can help students visualize relationships between words and remember them more effectively *Learn word families: Encouraging students to learn words in families (e.g happy, happiness, happier, happiest) can help them identify synonyms and antonyms more easily *Join active learning: Instead of simply providing students with a list of synonyms and antonyms, teachers should encourage students to actively engage with vocabulary through activities such as word games, writing exercises, and discussions *Encourage the use of a thesaurus: Introducing students to a thesaurus can help them expand their vocabulary and find synonyms and antonyms more easily Teachers should show students how to use a thesaurus effectively and encourage them to use it in their writing *Reinforce learning: Regularly reviewing and revisiting synonyms and antonyms is important for helping students retain new vocabulary Teachers should Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhd 77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77t@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn.Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhddtt@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn C.33.44.55.54.78.65.5.43.22.2.4 22.Tai lieu Luan 66.55.77.99 van Luan an.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.33.44.55.54.78.655.43.22.2.4.55.22 Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an incorporate regular vocabulary quizzes, games, and activities into their lessons to reinforce learning II PRACTICAL BACKGROUND Advantages The practical situation of teaching and learning English synonyms and antonyms at Yen Thanh high schools is that teachers provide many exercises for students to practice, and students learn very hard to pass the final exam In order to ensure that students have a good grasp of English synonyms and antonyms, teachers often provide students with a variety of exercises that cover different aspects of synonyms and antonyms, such as identifying synonyms and antonyms in context, using synonyms and antonyms in sentences, and matching synonyms and antonyms with their definitions Students are often required to learn a large number of synonyms and antonyms and are expected to use them correctly in their written and spoken communication This can be a challenging task, but students are motivated to learn as passing the final exam is important for their academic and professional future As a result, both teachers and students work hard to ensure that students have a strong understanding of English synonyms and antonyms Disadvantages The practical situation of teaching and learning English synonyms and antonyms at Vietnamese high schools in general and at Yen Thanh high school in particular can present some disadvantages One of the main issues is that teachers may not have an effective teaching method for synonyms and antonyms, which can make it difficult for students to learn and retain the information Another issue is that students may struggle to remember the meaning of synonyms and antonyms in a monotonous way, especially if they are not exposed to English language and culture on a regular basis Furthermore, because Vietnamese and English have different cultural backgrounds, it can be hard for average-level students like Yen Thanh high school graders who mainly come from poor families to guess the real meaning of synonyms and antonyms, which can further complicate the learning process Finally, students may not be provided with suitable strategies to cope with synonyms and antonyms questions on standardized exams, such as the National High School Graduation Examination Overall, these factors can create a challenging learning environment for students and make it difficult for them to master English synonyms and antonyms III THE STUDY Methodology 1.1 Participants Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhd 77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77t@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn.Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhddtt@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn C.33.44.55.54.78.65.5.43.22.2.4 22.Tai lieu Luan 66.55.77.99 van Luan an.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.33.44.55.54.78.655.43.22.2.4.55.22 Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an.Tai lieu Luan van Luan an Do an The subjects of the study were 72 students from class 12A8 and 12A11 of Yen Thanh high school including both male and female ones They participated in the study in 10 weeks from the beginning of the second semester of the school year 2021 – 2022 In my observation and assessment, their English proficiency at the beginning of the study was at the low level The techniques were used in the warm-up part of every lesson, and typically carried out for to 10 minutes to stimulate students After the activity, teacher summarized the games, gave marks or awarded small prizes to the winners to encourage them 1.2 Instrumentation In terms of study instruments, the researcher used two main kinds: questionnaires for the surveys and multiple choice tests Besides, class observations were also used to supplement the above instruments 1.3 Data collection procedures Firstly, the pre-questionnaire was administrated at the end of the first semester to measure „input motivation‟ and gather information about the reality of studying synonyms and antonyms The participants had one day to think carefully and give their answers After collecting the pre-questionnaire, the researcher taught the students in 10 weeks by using games as techniques to inspire students‟ studying synonyms and antonyms at the start of every lesson At the end of the study, the post-questionnaire was used to obtain the students‟ attitude towards this application and their motivation for learning English Apart from the questionnaires, class observations were made before and during the treatment Lastly, a multiple choice test was conducted before and after the study to get qualitative data explaining the changes Findings of the study 2.1 Reality of students’ ability to synonyms and antonyms exercises in the researcher’s school The result from the pre-questionnaire revealed that students‟ ability to use synonyms and antonyms was rather low Only 32% knew how to synonyms and antonyms exercises fluently, whereas 33% found it difficult Especially, 35% said they were impossible to distinguish synonyms from antonyms Furthermore, the pre-test results suggested that the students‟ ability to synonyms and antonyms tasks significantly lower than had expected Only a little more than half of the students gained fair and average marks, over 40% got weak marks and even no students owned excellent mark Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhd 77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77t@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn.Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhddtt@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn