A study on the effectiveness of using task based approach in teaching vocabulary in ESP to the second year students at construction school n04

VIETNAMNATIONALUNIVERSITY – HA NOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES NGUYỄN THỊ HÀ A STUDY ON THE EFECTIVENESS OF USING TASK-BASED APPROACH IN TEACHING VOCABULARY IN ESP TO THE SECOND YEAR STUDENTS AT CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL N04 (NGHIÊN CỨU TÍNH TÍCH CỰC CỦA VIỆC SỬ DỤNG PHƢƠNG PHÁP DẠY HỌC DỰA TRÊN NHIỆM VỤ VÀO VIỆC DẠY TỪ VỰNG CHUYÊN NGÀNH CHO SINH VIÊN NĂM THỨ HAI TRƢỜNG TRUNG CẤP XÂY DỰNG SỐ 4) M.A MINOR THESIS Field : English Language Teaching Methodology Code : 60140111 HANOI, 2013 VIETNAMNATIONALUNIVERSITY – HA NOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES NGUYỄN THỊ HÀ A STUDY ON THE EFECTIVENESS OF USING TASK-BASED APPROACH IN TEACHING VOCABULARY IN ESP TO THE SECOND YEAR STUDENTS AT CONSTRUCTION SCHOOL N04 (NGHIÊN CỨU TÍNH TÍCH CỰC CỦA VIỆC SỬ DỤNG PHƢƠNG PHÁP DẠY HỌC DỰA TRÊN NHIỆM VỤ VÀO VIỆC DẠY TỪ VỰNG CHUYÊN NGÀNH CHO SINH VIÊN NĂM THỨ HAI TRƢỜNG TRUNG CẤP XÂY DỰNG SỐ 4) M.A MINOR THESIS Field : English Language Teaching Methodology Code : 60140111 Supervisor : Dr Phạm Thị Thanh Thủy HANOI, 2013 DECLARATION This paper is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at Department of Post Graduate studies – University of Languages and International Studies-Vietnam National University I certify that this thesis is the result of my own research, and it has not been submitted for any other degrees Hanoi, November 2013 Student‟s signature Nguyễn Thị Hà i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am grateful to all the people who have helped me with this research study My thanks to: My supervisor - Dr Pham Thi Thanh Thuy, whose expert help and guidance has been invaluable to me throughout the writing of this thesis The teachers of the Postgraduate Department - College of Foreign Languages - Vietnam National University for the knowledge they have provided The three teachers of English and 50- second-year students at Construction School N for their assistance and participation in my experimental research Lastly, my thanks go to my family members, friends and other colleagues at Construction School N for their love and support to me, which are very significant for me to finish this research study ii ABSTRACT This thesis is devoted to examining the comparative effectiveness of task-based approach in teaching ESP vocabulary to second year non-major students at Construction School N In order to achieve this objective, a theoretical and practical research is carried out In the Theoretical Background, the background of vocabulary and relevance to teaching vocabulary is summarized An overview on task-based approach that has been employing in foreign language teaching, especially in teaching ESP vocabulary is also introduced in this part After that, a brief background setting to the quasi-experiment relating to teaching and learning ESP vocabulary at Construction School N is highlighted Subsequently, the quasi-experimental study is given to evaluate the effectiveness of task-based approach And the results we will get based on data analysis are in the third chapter Finally, some recommendations for ESP vocabulary teaching/learning effectively are suggested iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ESP: English for Specific Purpose EGP: English for General English CG: Control group EG: Experimental group iv LIST OF TABLES Table 1: The results of the post-tests of EGP part Table 2: The results of the post-tests of ESP part Table 3: The results of vocabulary-checking tests v LIST OF CHARTS Chart 1: Below-average Chart 2: Average Chart 3: Good Chart 4: Excellent Chart 5: Below-average Chart 6: Average Chart 7: Good Chart 8: Excellent vi TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii ABSTRACT iii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS iv LIST OF TABLES v LIST OF CHARTS vi PART I: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………… 1 Rationale ………………………………………………………………… Aims of the study………………………………………………………… 3.Significance of the study………………………………………………… 4.Scope of the study……………………………………………………… 5.Research Questions……………………………………………………… 6.Methods of the study…………………………………………………… 7.Design of the study……………………………………………………… PART II: DEVELOPMENT…………………………………………………… CHAPTER 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND……………………… 1.1 An overview of vocabulary…………………………………………… 1.1.1 Definition…………………………………………………… 1.1.2 The importance of vocabulary……………………………… 1.2 English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and vocabulary in ESP………… .6 1.2.1 English for Specific Purposes (ESP)………………………… 1.2.2 Vocabulary in ESP 1.3 Teaching vocabulary…………………………………………………… 1.3.1 Purposes for teaching vocabulary…………………………… 1.3.2 Principles of teaching vocabulary…………………………… 1.3.3 Stages in teaching vocabulary………………………………… 1.3.4 Techniques in teaching vocabulary…………………………… 10 1.3.5 Teaching vocabulary in ESP………………………………… 12 1.4 Task-based language teaching………………………………………… 13 1.4.1 Task-based language teaching……………………………… 13 vii 1.4.2 Task-based language teaching in ESP context……………… 17 CHAPTER 2: THE QUASI-EXPERIMENT…………………………… .19 2.1 Background to the study……………………………………………… 19 2.1.1 The teachers………………………………………………… 19 2.1.2 The students………………………………………………… 19 2.1.3 The textbooks………………………………………………… 19 2.1.4 The attitudes of teachers and students at Construction School N04 about the importance of ESP vocablary teaching 20 2.1.5 The real situation of teaching vocabulary in ESP at Construction School N04 21 2.2 The quasi-experiment………………………………………………… 21 2.2.1 Subjects and process of vocabulary teaching………………… 21 2.2.2 Main testing instruments: Pre-test and post-tests…………… 22 2.2.3 Supplementary testing instruments…………………………… 22 CHAPTER 3: DATA ANALYSIS, RESUTLS AND DISCUSSIONS… 24 3.1 Class observation result……………………………………………… 24 3.2 Teacher‟s self-assessment result……………………………………… 25 3.3 The post-tests result…………………………………………………… 25 3.4 Vocabulary-checking test result……………………………………… 29 PART III: CONCLUSION 33 REFERENCES 34 APPENDICES I viii process Hence, all concrete contains some …………… A mixture B chemicals C agents D air 10 In buildings, concrete is …………… footings, foundations, columns, beams, all important building elements A used B used in C used on D used for II Circle the words related to the process of producing concrete entrance, locate, bottom, bind, separate, roof, combine, moisture, build, attack, abrasion, face, flexible, bend 11 ……………… 12………………… 13…………………1 4………………… 15 ……………… III Listen and fill the words you hear in the blank to complete the sentences 16 The essential …………… concrete must have are strength, durability, and watertightness 17 Concrete strength is largely determined by the ratio of water to ………… in the mixture 18 Concrete can resist the effects of wind, frost, snow, ice, ……………… 19 Concrete and cement are among the most important construction …………… 20 During setting and ….….……… , the heat of hydration raises the concrete temperature, and then gradually cools (Script: 16 The essential properties concrete must have are strength, durability, and watertightness 17 Concrete strength is largely determined by the ratio of water to cement in the mixture 18 Concrete can resist the effects of wind, frost, snow, ice, abrasion 19 Concrete and cement are among the most important construction materials 20 During setting and hardening, the heat of hydration raises the concrete temperature, and then gradually cools.) XLII APPENDICE 11: POST-TEST Part I General English I Choose the best answer His parents wouldn‟t …………… him stay out later than 10.30 at night A allow B let C permit 2.“Do you have anything to ………… ?” the customs officer asked the passenger A show up B offer C declare It was very difficult to see the road through the …………… fog A thick B strong C deep The wasp ……… David on the arm A bit B stung C scratched 5.The dog stood in front of the fire ………… its tail A waving B nodding C wagging My sister is really ……………… of children A fond B interested C keen “I‟m sorry I‟m late.” Some students feel ……… when they make mistakes But they shouldn‟t, because everybody does when they learn a new language A proud B embarrassed C cautious The ……… From London to Cardiff took three hours on the motorway A journey 10 B travel C voyage This is my brother‟s son, Kevin He‟s my favorite ………… A cousin 11 The train now ………… at a platform 11 is the 14.52 to Birmingham A lying 12 She felt very ……… when she didn‟t get the job A disappointed II Synonyms – adjectives Write down a synonym for each of the words on the left Choose from the ones on the right 13 warm 14 keen 15 difficult 16 wrong III Opposites – Verbs Write down an opposite for each of the words on the left Choose from the ones on the right 17 hate 18 spend 19 remember 20 agree Part II English for Construction I Choose the best answer At least five ……………compose the construction industry A participants The concrete hardens through the chemical ……………… between water and cement A reaction Wood is ……………… A soft The construction industry is also affected by ……………… environment A economy Gold is good ………………… of electricity A conduct The designers are basically either …………… or engineers A contractors If the soil at hand is not suitable, it may be improved by adding clay or sand A produce The proportions of cement paste and aggregate affect the ………… of concrete A strong The construction labor is …………… by the contractors A manage 10 What is this? XLIV A roof II Matching: Match a word with a definition 11 architect 12 the power station 13 concrete mixer 14 mosque 15 electrician III Listen and fill the words you hear in the blank to complete the sentences 16 The general contractor is ……………… by the client 17 Wood is used in beams and …………… 18 or The ……………… setting affects construction process either positively negatively 19 Handmade bricks has the property of low ………………… strength 20 The economic stetting also ……………… upon the construction industry (Script: 16 The general contractor is employed by the client 17 Wood is used in beams and columns 18 The institutional setting affects construction process either positively or negatively 19 Handmade bricks has the property of low compressive strength 20 The economic stetting also imposes upon the construction industry.) XLV APPENDICE 12: PRE-TEST Part I General English I Choose the best answer When you buy something, you are usually given a …………… A recipe B receipt C bill You must ……… for at least two hours a day if you want to play the piano well A train Most banks will ………… people money to buy a house A lend I wonder if you can ………… me to play the guitar? A assist I always feel very nervous when I have to ………… a speech A make I had a very ………… time in London last summer A fun Would you ………… this letter to the Post Office, please? A send The ………… in the north of Sweden is really beautiful A scenery My wife has a ………… job at a chemist‟s A half-time 10 I saw a very good ……… advertised in the paper this week A job 11 If you put money in the bank, you get about 8% …………… A increase 12 A hired When I was in Denmark, I ………… a boat for a few days B rented C leased II Synonyms – adjectives Write down a synonym for each of the words on the left Choose from the ones on the right XLVI 13 glad 14 nice 15 very big 16 awful III Synonyms – Verbs Write down a synonym for each of the words on the left Choose from the ones on the right 17 talk 18 phone 19 swim 20 leave Part II English for Construction I Choose the best answer My brother is a(n) …………… He designs buildings A engineer The workers are ……………… the wall A bending 3.We need a lot of ………… to build a house A rubber Brick is made from …… A clay What is the ………… of the room? A tall Glass is ……… A transparent Stones, steels, irons, etc are called ……… A part The designers define the overall ……………… of the building A wall Materials ………… sell materials to the consumers A architect 10 Concrete can …………… quite severe weather conditions XLVII A attack II Matching A 11 The brick 12 The cement paste 13 The clients 14 Economic setting 15 Stainless steel III Listen and fill the words you hear in the blank to complete the sentences 16 The ………… cuts metal pipes 17 of Most of the ………… and strength gain take place within the first month concrete's life cycle 18 When the architect …………… the house, he placed the bedrooms away from the living room 19 What the floor …………… support? 20 Steel is used for the ………… structure of the factory (Script: 16 The plumber cuts metal pipes 17 Most of the hydration and strength gain take place within the first month of concrete's life cycle 18 When the architect designed the house, he placed the bedrooms away from the living room 19 What the floor beams support? 20 Steel is used for the frame structure of the factory.) XLVIII APPENDICE 13: VOCABULARY-CHECKING TEST Look at the picture and complete the words below ……………… …………………… ……………………… …………………… …………………… …………………… ………………………… ……………………… ……………………………… …………………………… XLIX APPENDICE 14: VOCABULARY-CHECKING TEST Listen and write the words you hear 1.flexible 2.opaque 3.corrosion 4.elastic 5.permeable 6.transparent 7.asbestos sheeting 8.fireproof 9.insulation 10 water vapour L APPENDICE 15: VOCABULARY-CHECKING TEST Filling the missing letters to complete the words 1.c _ _ c _ _t e 2.r e a _ t _ o n 3.h y _ r a _ _ o n 4.c _ _ b _ n e 5.r e_m a _ n 6.h a _ d e _ 7.w i_h _ t a n _ 8.a g _ r e _ a t e 9.m o_ s t _ r e 10 pa_te LI APPENDICE 16: RESULTS IN EGP Post-test EG 6.5 6.5 5 7.5 5.5 7.5 7.5 5.5 7 7.5 6.5 Mean = 6.42 LII APPENDICE 17: RESULTS IN ESP Post-test EG 5 8 7.5 6.5 7.5 6.5 Mean = 6.48 LIII APPENDICE 18: RESULTS OF VOCABULARY-CHECKING TESTS Test EG CG 5 7 6 5 7 8 5 5 8 6 7 6 8 5 Mean Mean 6.44 6.48 LIV ... importance of ESP vocabulary teaching; secondly, study the real situation of teaching vocabulary in ESP and thirdly, test whether task- based approach is effective or not in teaching vocabulary in ESP. .. teachers and students at Construction School N about the importance of ESP vocabulary teaching? What is the real situation of teaching vocabulary in ESP at Construction School N 4? How is task- based. .. both in educational environment and in real world 1.4 Task- based language teaching 1.4.1 Task- based language teaching Task- based language teaching has increasingly achieved popularity in recent years