How to improve the average score of english subject in the GCSE for low – level students in trieu son 5 high school

THANH HOA DEPARTMENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING TRIEU SON HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE INITIATIVES HOW TO IMPROVE THE AVERAGE SCORE OF ENGLISH SUBJECT IN THE GCSE FOR LOW – LEVEL STUDENTS IN TRIEU SON HIGH SCHOOL Author: Le Thi Phuong Position: Teacher Experience initiative in the field: English SCHOOL YEAR: 2019 -2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS I Introduction 1.1 Rationale 1.2 Aims and objectives of the study 1.3 The scope of the study 1.4 Methods of the study 1.5 New features of the study II Development 2.1 Theoretical background 2.2 The comparison among the results of the national high school examinations in English subject in the last few years 2.3 The comparison among the results of the national high school examinations in English subject in Trieu Son high school in the last few years 2.4 The reasons for the low average mark in national high school examinations in the last few years 2.4.1 Many shortcomings in teaching and learning English 2.4.2 Many shortcomings in current program and textbooks 2.5 Matrix of the national high school test 2.6 Suggestions 2.6.1 Working in groups and using mind maps in teaching grammar 2.6.2 Some lists of questions in the knowledge (remembering) level 2.6.3 Some lists of questions in comprehension(understanding) levels 2.7 Results after applying the research 2.7.1 Results of the test: (at the end of the first semester) 2.7.2 Results of the test: (at the end of the second semester) III Conclusion and suggestion References Appendix 1 2 2 7 8 11 11 17 19 21 21 21 22 I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Rationale In today’s global world, the importance of English cannot be denied and ignored since English is the greatest common language spoken universally To learn English requires constant practice and patience The kind of feeling that succeeds among students is that it is not possible to achieve fluency or mastery over the English language This kind of tendency prevents students from learning English Most of the students study English from the examination point of view, so they are not able to produce even a single sentence without the grammatical error Furthermore, sufficient practice is not given to students to learn a language Knowledge of English is necessary if one wants to come up in life It is the major window of the modern world This is all the more true where the advanced countries have opened their doors form recruiting technically qualified persons Only those who have a command over the English language are given a job English has become one of core subjects in our entrance examination in Vietnam However, it is the fact that the average mark in the GCSE in our high schools has been under mark over many years According to The Hanoitimes, local media reported that in Vietnam’s 2019 national high school exam, some 70% of students received mark or under for English and History (of the 10point scale) Although Educators have recently paid much attention to teaching and learning English, the bad results of English and History are abnormal high and cause big concern over the country’s education sector From this fact, as an English teacher having 10 – year experience, I have a desire to study this real situation, try to find out the reasons why students get bad marks in English and give some suggestions to help low - level students improve their scores in the entrance examination I will this by comparing the results of the exams from 2016 until now, studying the matrix of the test and classifying the national high school test into levels: knowledge (remembering), comprehension (understanding), low application and high application (low applying and high applying) and give a list of questions that belong to knowledge (remembering) and comprehension (understanding) level so that low – level students only focus on these kinds of question What’s more, for boring grammar points, I would like to use teamwork to make mind –maps and then ask good students to present in front of the class so that the low - level students can learn from higher – level ones 1.2 Aims and objectives of the study This paper sets the aims and objectives as follow: - Compare the results of the entrance exams in English subject from 2016 to now  Realize the real quality of teaching and learning English at high schools in our country  Find out the reasons why the average mark in English subject over last few years is always under mark - Analyze the matrix of the tests from 2016 to now  have an entire insight about the national high school tests and classify the tests into different categories of question that are suitable for the low – level students in grade 12 to practice such as knowledge (remembering) and comprehension(understanding) questions - The last aim of this study is to enhance the quality of teaching English for the low - level students by using active techniques in teaching grammar such as mind maps and using good students to teach lower – level ones As a result, the low - level students will have chances to get higher marks - Objectives of the study are 90 students who are in class 12A1 and 12A2 in Trieu Son high school These students belong to the low – level students in English 1.3 The scope of the study In this paper, because of our limited time and knowledge, I only focus on some certain fields of knowledge to help students get over mark and a certain object such as low - level students 1.4 Method of the study I use a combination of different methods: - Collecting materials: Data are taken from various reference books and websites, which are related to the national high school exam Moreover, information sources are also accessed from Internet - Analyzing and synthesizing: Data are analyzed to choose important information about the national high school exam After that, synthesize them - Consulting other experienced teachers 1.5 New features of the study - In this study, by comparing the results of the GCSE in some recent years, I show the real situation of average mark always under mark and find out some reasons for this situation - In this study, I analyze the matrix of the national high school test over last few years and orient the students to focus more on some grammar points and some types of question which are considered as knowledge (remembering) and comprehension (understanding) questions Furthermore, I also suggest a list of knowledge (remembering) and comprehension (understanding) questions for teachers and low - level students - This study shows that teachers can use some teaching technique to motivate students’ learning such as using mind maps and good students to present some boring grammar points II DEVELOPMENT 2.1 Theoretical background According to Bloom's Taxonomy of Cognitive Development, Bloom identified six levels within the cognitive domain, from the simple recall or recognition of facts, as the lowest level, through increasingly more complex and abstract mental levels, to the highest order which is classified as evaluation Descriptions of the six levels as well as verb examples that represent intellectual activity are listed here And here’s what the Cognitive Domain looks like in Bloom’s pyramid: Some teachers teach from the place of collecting and remembering information, and then maybe have stepped up onto the level of Understanding what it means to them This is a good start But as an exceptional teacher, you need to eventually get to the top 1-3 parts of the pyramid There is obviously some overlap of all three domains because we each are unique individuals who find our own ways In Vietnam, Circular No 22/2016/TT-BGDDT dated September 22, 2016 provides for inspection by levels The periodical test is suitable for standards of knowledge, skills and capacity development orientation, including questions and exercises designed according to the following levels: - Level 1: Identify and recall the learned knowledge and skills -Level 2: Understand the knowledge and skills learned, presented, and explain the knowledge in an individual’s way of understanding - Level 3: Know how to apply the knowledge and skills you have learned to solve familiar, similar problems in study and life - Level 4: Applying the knowledge and skills learned to solve new problems or giving reasonable feedbacks in studying and living in a flexible way 2.2 The comparison among the results of the national high school examinations in English subject in the last few years - In 2016, high school graduation and university entrance exams have been combined into one national exam The results of the national exam are considered for both high school graduation and university admissions According to the statistics of the Ministry of Education and Training, the average score in English subject is the lowest of all subjects (3,3) Only 11, 73% of students get over mark and the students under mark account for 88, 27% The result of English subject is shown below The average mark in the national high school exam in 2016 - In 2017, the average score in English subject is higher than last year (4.46) Only 31% of students get over mark and the students under mark account for 69% The result of English subject is shown below The average mark in the national high school exam in 2017 - In 2018, the average score in English subject is lower than last year (3, 91) Only 21, 78 % of students get over mark and the students under mark account for 78, 22% The majority of students get mark The result of English subject is shown below The average mark in the national high school exam in 2018 - In 2019, the average score in English subject is higher than last year (4, 36) Only 31, 26 % of students get over mark and the students under mark account for 68, 74% The majority of students get mark 3.2 The result of English subject is shown below The average mark in the national high school exam in 2019 As a whole, in all national high school examinations up to now, English is always in the lowest position about the average grade among other subjects This is one of the top – ranking concerns not only educators but also parents and students in our countries 2.3 The comparison among the results of the national high school examinations in English subject in Trieu Son high school in the last few years - In 2017, the average score in English subject is only 3.21 Comparing the average mark of the whole country, it is lower than 1.25 points - In 2018, the average score in English subject is only 3.01 Comparing the average mark of the whole country, it is lower than 0.8 point - In 2019, the average score in English subject is higher than last year Comparing the average mark of the whole country, it is lower than 0.94 point However, it can be seen that the presence of the higher marks such as marks from to 10 proves that the quality of learning and teaching English in Trieu Son high school is obviously improved 2.4 The reasons for the low average mark in national high school examinations in the last few years 2.4.1 Many shortcomings in teaching and learning English - Compared to the previous year's tests at national high school exam, in 2019 English test was easier and an average student can get mark or However, only students in urban areas and big cities were able to score these grades They could not only learn English at higher quality schools but also refine their skills at language centers In short, they are aware of the importance of English, and invest their time and effort to study in a methodical way - For students in rural and backward areas, according to the current program of the Ministry of Education and Training, every week, 12th-grade students only have three English periods - Besides, rural schools lack modern teaching facilities Students are less likely to attend English classes and parents cannot afford their children’s study in a methodical manner Students’ awareness of the subject and shortage of teachers in English are included among the causes of the bad results - In addition, the quality of teaching is not good and the staff of English teachers in some high schools don’t reach the standard required 2.4.2 Many shortcomings in current program and textbooks - Current program and textbooks have many shortcomings and are outdated In the textbook, students have to learn skills including reading, speaking, listening, writing and grammar However, in the entrance exam, only reading and grammar are tested primarily Thus, if a teacher wants to make sure that all things in the textbook are taught (although there are a lot of unnecessary things), students are not enough time to focus on what they will be tested in the exam Especially, for the low - level students, in order to understand a grammar point, they have to practice many times as much as usual As a result, everything is taught as quickly as possible and low - level students get nothing at all Obviously, it is essential for both teachers and students to only concentrate on what they are tested in the national high school exam For low - level students, it is better to choose the questions in levels: knowledge (remembering) and comprehension (understanding) - In addition, knowledge in the textbook is very basic Nevertheless, in order to get over mark in the national high school exam, students need to learn outside the textbook 2.5 Matrix of the national high school test - In 2019: Matrix Levels Levels Reme Low Content underst High Eas Aver Diffic Total Format mberin applyi anding applying y age ult g ng Sound 0 0 Phonetics Stress 0 0 Vocabulary 0 0 1 Error Passive Identifica 0 0 1 Voice tion Word order 0 1 0 Multiple Verb Tense 0 1 Choice Conditional 0 1 Completi Sentence on Concessive 0 1 Clause 10 Comm - Reply a certain unicati situation on -Express ideas Readi Lexica Topic in English 10 ng l - Relative clause readin - Conjunction g - Vocabulary Readin Topic in English 10 g - main idea compr - replacing pronoun ehensi not mention on information (about - find detail 250 -vocabulary words) - inferring question Readin Topic in English 11 g - main idea compr - replacing pronoun ehensi not mention on information (about - find detail 400 - vocabulary words) - inferring question Total 50 18 100% 36% 2 2 2 1 20 35 10 40% 14% 10 70 20% 10 % % % As we can see from the matrix in 2018, 2019 and in the illustrative test in 2010, there are a lot of grammar points and structures that always apear in the tests Moreover, about 60 % questions are the level and 2: remembering and understanding levels Therefore, teachers should plan to practice these grammar points and structures in these levels so that the low - level students can get over mark in the entrance examinations 2.6 Suggestions This real fact requires us to find out some suitable solutions in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning English for students in grade 12, especially for the low - level students 2.6.1 Working in groups and using mind maps in teaching grammar In the process of teaching and practicing grammar for low – level students, it is very easy for them to get bored with the lesson Therefore, teachers should combine some teaching methods to make the lesson more active and more interesting Let’s ask students to work in groups with good ones to make mind maps and then ask good students to present the grammar point in front of the class By this way, students can learn each other As a result, these mind – maps I had below are prepared by the low – level students I would like to give some 13 examples in my grammar lessons in which all students felt more interested * Some pictures taken in teamwork activities: (All students were very excited and enthusiastic) 14 15 16 * Some mind – maps that were made in the grammar lessons: Example 1: How to teach conditional sentences by making mind maps: (prepared by low – level and good students) Example 2: How to teach article by making mind maps: (prepared by low – level and good students) 17 Example 3: How to teach modal verbs by making mind maps: (prepared by low – level and good students) Example 4: How to teach subject and verb agreements by making mind maps: (prepared by low – level and good students) Example 5: How to teach tag questions by making mind maps: (prepared by low – level and good students) 18 2.6.2 Some lists of questions in the knowledge (remembering) One of the most effective teaching methods to raise the average mark in the entrance exam is to divide students into groups according to their ability and ask them to the tasks that are suitable for them Thus, I would like to give lists of questions in the knowledge (remembering) level and comprehension (understanding) levels For this kind of student, only focusing on two first cognitive levels is enough for them to get mark Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions Question If Paul _ a job now, he wouldn’t be so unhappy A has B has had C had D would have Question Your brother hardly talks to anyone, _? A does he B is he C doesn’t he D isn’t he Question Tom denied _ part in the fighting at school A to take B take C to taking D taking Question If he _ the lesson yesterday, he could the test better today A has reviewed B had reviewed C will review D reviewed Question Their children lots of new friends since they to that town A made/ have been moving B made/ are moving C have made/ moved D were making/ have moved Question Jane cooks well _ she hates washing up afterwards A however B therefore C so D but Question Tom’s eyes were red he had been swimming in a chlorinated pool A so B but C because D in case 19 Question She asked me _ I was looking at A when B if C what D why Question My father always has the builder the roof of our house A repaired B to repair C to be repaired D repair Question 10 It is time every student harder for the coming exam A worked B should work C works D work Question 11 The telephone _ by Alexander Graham Bell A invented B be invented C was invented D is inventing Question 12 Do you remember Mr.Brown, _ taught us how to write an English essay? A that B whom C who D those Question 13 If my candidate had won the election, I _ happy now A would be B would have been C will beD am Question 14 Why don’t you have your brother _ the roof? A repairs B to repair C repair D repaired Question 15 Martina _ all of the questions correctly since she began this grammar program course A answers B has answered C answered D is answering Question 16 I don’t know how many_, but it sounds like that they have a dozen A they have children B children they have C children they have D they have children Question 17 The union members discussed _ the next meeting until next week A postpone B to postpone C to postponing D postponing Question 18 Should I meet John at the workshop tomorrow, I him to phone you A would remind B remind C reminded D will remind Question 19 I hope to pass all of my courses this term So far my grades pretty good A had been B will have been C have been D were Question 20 There has been little rain in this area for months, _? A has it B has there C hasn’t it D hasn’t there Question 21 If you had taken my advice , you in such difficulties now A won’t be B wouldn’t be C hadn’t been D wouldn’t have been Question 22 By half past ten tomorrow morning I _ along the motorway A will be driving B will drive C am driving D drive Question 23 If I _ her address now, I would send her an invitation to my birthday party next week A had found B found C would find D find Question 24 In England, an academic year is divided _ three terms Spring term, Summer term and Autumn term A into B with C from D to Question 25 She asked me _ my holidays the previous year 20 A where I had spent B where I spend C where did I spend D where I spent Question 26 Last month, Mr Donald Trump, _ is the president of the US, visited Vietnam and had a wonderful time in this country A that B who C whose D which Question 27 My mother allowed me to go out with my friends after I _ my housework A had finished B have finished C would finish D finish Question 28 Lan and Huong have never come to class late, ? A have they B haven't they C has she D hasn't she Question 29 After they _ all the food, they picked up their bags and left A were eating B have eaten C had been eating D had eaten Question 30 It was late, so we decided a taxi home A to taking B taking C take D to take Keys: Question C Question 11 C Question 21 B Question A Question 12 C Question 22 A Question D Question 13 A Question 23 B Question B Question 14 C Question 24 A Question C Question 15 B Question 25 A Question D Question 16 C Question 26 B Question C Question 17 D Question 27 A Question C Question 18 D Question 28 A Question D Question 19 C Question 29 D Question 10 A Question 20 B Question 30 D 2.6.3 Some lists of questions in comprehension (understanding) levels Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions Question The investors bought a deserted warehouse convert it into a shopping mall for the townspeople A so that B lest they may C with a view to D in order to Question I don't think Peter will reject that job offer, _? A I B will he C don't I D won't he Question By the time Brown's daughter graduates, _retired A he'll have B he C he'll being D he has Question Nobody likes his behavior, ? A doesn’t he B they C don't they D does he Question ten minutes earlier, you would have got a better seat A Were you arrived B If you arrived C If you hadn’t arrived D Had you arrived Question Extinction means a situation a plant, an animal or a way of life stops existing A to which B for which C on which D in which Question The song has been selected for the 2018 World Cup, Russia 21 A office B officer C officially D official Question This factory produced _motorbikes in 2008 as in the year 2006 A as many as twice B as twice many C twice as many D as twice as many Question There has been little rain in this area for too long, ? A has it B has there C hasn’t it D hasn’t there Question 10 Project-based learning provides wonderful opportunities for students to develop their A creative B creativity C create D creatively Question 11 Businesses will not survive they satisfy their customers A or else B in case C unless D if Question 12 When I was small, my parents were often away; my grandmother take care of me A will B shall C would D should Question 13 humans, dolphins use a system of sounds and body language to communicate, but understanding their conversations is not easy for humans A Alike B Unlike C Dislike D Like Question 14 For those in adventure and sport, there is a lot to on Vanuatu’s islands in the South Pacific A who interest B interesting C interested D which interests Question 15 This investigation is not only one that is continuing and worldwide we expect to continue for quite some time A but one also that B but one that also C but also one that D but that also one Question 16 Despite a lot of concerns, sending people into space seems certain; we see lunar cities and maybe even new human cultures on other planets A can B will C must D may Question 17 She really treasures the car that she inherits from her grandfather A big old green antique B green old big antique C green big old antique D old big green antique Question 18 Despite playing under strength, our football team, U23 Viet Nam, _ beat their rivals such as Qatar and Iraq A could B couldn't C weren't able to D were able to Question 19 I only tell my secrets to my _ friend as she never reveals them to anyone A creative B enthusiastic C trustworthy D unrealizable Question 20 Everyone thinks that the concert last night was extremely successful, _? A don’t they B doesn’t he C was it D wasn’t it Keys: Question D Question D Question 11 C Question 16 A 22 Question B Question C Question 12 C Question 17 A Question A Question C Question 13 D Question 18 D Question B Question B Question 14 C Question 19 C Question D Question 10 B Question 15 C Question 20 A 2.7 Results after applying the research 2.7.1 Results of the test: (at the end of the first semester) Total number of students 90 Number Percent (class 12A1+12A2) Mark or more 15 16.6 % Under mark 75 83.4% According to data compiled in the table shows a total of 90 students participated in the test before entering the study Of these 15 students achieved or more points, accounting for 16.6%; 75% students score below average, accounting for 83.4% 2.7.2 Results of the test: (at the end of the second semester) Total number of students 90 Number Percent (class 12A1+12A2) Mark or more 63 70.0 % Under mark 27 30.0 % According to data compiled in the table shows a total of 90 students participated in the test before entering the study Of these 63 students achieved or more points, accounting for 70%; 30% students get score below average, accounting for 30% Chart 01 compares the results of tests 23 III CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION In this paper, I have been concerned with the current situation and issues of the teaching and learning of English in Vietnam It is clear that English teaching in Vietnam has been developing at an unprecedented speed over last few years; it has become the number foreign language to be taught both inside and outside the formal educational system However, In Vietnam’s 2019 national high school exam, some 70% of students received mark or under for English (of the 10-point scale) The bad results of English during many years cause big concern over the country’s education sector As a result, it is very essential that our government should take urgent actions so that the average mark of English subject will be improved in the next few years From my point of view, the most important thing we need to is that teachers should plan and organize some interesting activities to make the class atmosphere more active and more exciting This is a learning motivation Moreover, in order to improve the average score in the GCSE, each English teacher should focus on knowledge scales that are usually tested so that low – level students can get over mark I hope that this study will benefit teachers and learners in teaching and learning English Nevertheless, this study may include some mistakes and limitation This is unavoidable because of the limitation of our knowledge, time and materials for my studying I have tried my best to complete my study I have also received much enthusiastic help and encouragement from other teachers as well as my friends Therefore any comments and suggestions will be highly appreciated so that I can perfect my later study CONFIRMATION OF THE HEADMASTER Trieu son, July, 3rd 2020 I swear this is my study, not copy other people's content Writer Le Thi Phuong REFERENCES 24 [1] Major categories in the cognitive domain of the taxonomy of educational objectives (Bloom, 1956) [2] https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/ [3] https://topshowbiz.net/12324/ [4] https://vietnamnet.vn/vn/giao-duc/tuyen-sinh/pho-diem-thi-thpt-quoc-gia2018-mon-tieng-anh-chinh-thuc-cua-bo-gd-dt[5] https://vietnamnews.vn/society/522670/national-high-school-examinationresults-released.html [6] https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc-khuyen-hoc/giai-ma-ma-tran-de-thi-thamkhao-mon-tieng-anh-tot-nghiep-thpt-2020-20200509061800701.htm [7] https://vietnamteachingjobs.com/common-problems-teaching-englishvietnam/ [8] https://vietnamteachingjobs.com/3-major-challenges-every-english-teachervietnam/ [9] https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-ban/giao-duc/Thong-tu-22-2016-TTBGDDT-sua-doi-danh-gia-hoc-sinh-tieu-hoc-thong-tu-30-2014-TT-BGDDT323463.aspx [10] https://www.giadinhmoi.vn/de-thi-thpt-quoc-gia-2018-ma-tran-de-thi-5mon-chinh-nhat-dinh-phai-nam-chac-d6517.html Appendix: Mini Test (15 minutes) Full name:………………………………………… Class:………… 25 Mark Teacher’s comment Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions Question If he were younger, he a professional running competition now A will join B had joined C would have joined D would join Question Linda refused in the musical performance because she was sick A to participate B participate C participating D to participating Question She has two brothers, are engineers A whom both B both who C both of whom D both whom Question George wouldn’t have met Mary to his brother’s graduation party A has not gone B had not gone C had he not gone D if he shouldn’t have gone Question By the end of this year, Nam _ English for years, but he will still need more training and experience before he masters the language A will have been studying B has been studying C will be studying D has studied Question instructed me how to make a good preparation for a job interview A John Robbins, that I spoke to by telephone, B John Robbins I spoke to by telephone, C John Robbins to that I spoke by telephone, D John Robbins, whom I spoke to by telephone, Question Ann has a lot of books, she has never read A most of that B most of these C most of which D which most of them Question If some endangered species in zoos, it would help to ensure their future survival A will be kept B are kept C had been kept D were kept Question We’ve had problems with our new computer that we had to send it back to the shop A so B such C enough D too Question 10 Why not the meeting until Thursday morning? A postpone B postponing C you postpone D you postpone Question 11 Businesses will not survive they satisfy their customers A or else B in case C unless D if Question 12 When I was small, my parents were often away; my grandmother take care of me A will B shall C would D should 26 Question 13 humans, dolphins use a system of sounds and body language to communicate, but understanding their conversations is not easy for humans A Alike B Unlike C Dislike D Like Question 14 For those in adventure and sport, there is a lot to on Vanuatu’s islands in the South Pacific A who interest B interesting C interested D which interests Question 15 This investigation is not only one that is continuing and worldwide we expect to continue for quite some time A but one also that B but one that also C but also one that D but that also one Question 16 Despite a lot of concerns, sending people into space seems certain; we _ see lunar cities and maybe even new human cultures on other planets A can B will C must D may Question 17 She really treasures the car that she inherits from her grandfather A big old green antique B green old big antique C green big old antique D old big green antique Question 18 Despite playing under strength, our football team, U23 Viet Nam, _ beat their rivals such as Qatar and Iraq A could B couldn't C weren't able to D were able to Question 19 I only tell my secrets to my _ friend as she never reveals them to anyone A creative B enthusiastic C trustworthy D unrealizable Question 20 Everyone thinks that the concert last night was extremely successful, _? A don’t they B doesn’t he C was it D wasn’t it 27 ... in English subject in Trieu Son high school in the last few years 2.4 The reasons for the low average mark in national high school examinations in the last few years 2.4.1 Many shortcomings in. .. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Education and Training, the average score in English subject is the lowest of all subjects (3,3) Only 11, 73% of students get over mark and the students. .. the low - level students 2.6.1 Working in groups and using mind maps in teaching grammar In the process of teaching and practicing grammar for low – level students, it is very easy for them to