A study on socio cultural constraints in english learning at high schools, dong hoi city

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING VINH UNIVERSITY HA THI LAN ANH A STUDY ON SOCIO-CULTURAL CONSTRAINTS IN ENGLISH LEARNING AT HIGH SCHOOLS, DONG HOI CITY MASTER'S THESIS IN EDUCATION Supervisor: Trần Quang Hải, Ph.D VINH - 2018 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING VINH UNIVERSITY HA THI LAN ANH A STUDY ON SOCIO-CULTURAL CONSTRAINTS IN ENGLISH LEARNING AT HIGH SCHOOLS, DONG HOI CITY MASTER'S THESIS IN EDUCATION Field: Theory and Methodology of English Language Teaching Code: 60140111 Supervisor: Trần Quang Hải, Ph.D VINH - 2018 DECLARATION I hereby declare that, with the exception of specific references to works published by other authors, which have been duly acknowledged, this thesis is my original work produced from research under supervision and that no part of it has been submitted for another degree in this university or elsewhere Nghe An, July 15th, 2018 Author’s signature Ha Thi Lan Anh i ABSTRACT In the study, “A Study on Socio-Cultural Constraints in English Learning at High Schools, Dong Hoi City” aims to find out what socio-cultural factors that affect the students' English language learning The results have suggested that all students acknowledged that culture plays an important role in learning English Using culture factors in learning English gives the learners the chances to participate in the learning process, which will enhance their language abilities Besides, the aim of the research is to investigate how these factors influence the English learning process of students at Dong Hoi high schools The classroom interview and questionnaire survey were implemented to collect data on the issue involved with the participation of 95 students and 27 teachers at Phan Dinh Phung high school, Dao Duy Tu high school and Dong Hoi high school in Dong Hoi city Although there are many difficulties that the students may meet during learning English process like different styles, multi-level, large class, time limitation, socioculture, background of family, living standard etc., they tried to surmount them so that they are more interested in learning English and access the new lesson better by choosing and combining socio-cultural factors flexibly and appropriately depending on each situation Based on the findings, suggestions were given to teachers and administrators so that they could find some benefits of application socio-cultural in learning English to make the lesson more interesting and memorable ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT This research is a milestone in all my personal and professional endeavors I am eternally grateful to a number of people who helped to bring this project to fruition My thanks first go to my supervisor Dr Tran Quang Hai, for his constant encouragement, invaluable assistance and suggestions throughout this long journey despite his many other academic and professional commitments I have been extremely lucky to have the supervisor who cared so much about my work I wish to send my appreciation to my dear teachers of Department of Foreign Languages, Vinh University who dedicated teaching efforts to me in all the subjects, which I have participated The devotion of enthusiastic teaching and supports has provided me with sufficient knowledge and skills to complete this thesis I am grateful to my leaders of Phan Dinh Phung High school who gave me favorable conditions during my study Additionally, Appreciation also goes to the staff and students of Phan Dinh Phung, Dao Duy Tu and Dong Hoi high school for their cooperation during the data gathering process I say thank you all for the pieces of advice and encouragement throughout this work I would like to thank my classmates during courses and for the thesis I really enjoyed what I have experienced with all of you I wish all the best and success for all of you too The success of this work has come at the expense of spending precious moments with my family I would like to show my deep gratitude to my beloved family- my parents, brothers, my friends, and especially my husband my daughter and son who shared all of the ups and downs of my academic endeavors with their boundless love and continuous support- both materially and spiritually and looked after my children when I was away from home In a word, my sincere gratitude goes to all of those without these supports my study would not have been made possible iii LIST OF ABBREVIATION EFL: English as a Foreign Language ELT: English Language Teaching L2: Second Language NCLRC: The National Capital Language Resource Centre SR: Semantic Restrictions SE: Semantic Extensions BBC: British Broadcasting Corporation VOA: Voice of America TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language IELTS: International English Language Testing System SLA: Second Language Acquisition FLT: Foreign Language Teaching SLT: Second Language Teaching iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION i ABSTRACT ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT iii LIST OF ABBREVIATION iv TABLE OF CONTENTS v TABLE OF FIGURES ix CHAPTER .1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Rationale 1.2 Aims and Objectives 1.3 Research Questions 1.4 Scope of the study .2 1.5 Significance of this research .3 1.6 Structure of the thesis .3 CHAPTER .4 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 2.1 Introduction .4 2.2 Previous studies related to the research 12 2.3 Theoretical Background 13 2.3.1 Grammar 14 2.3.2 Vocabulary 17 2.3.3 Language and Culture .20 2.3.4 Language and Society .21 2.3.5 Learning a Second Language 21 2.3.6 Socio-cultural factors affecting English Learning 23 2.3.7 Teaching foreign languages to combine cultural factors 25 2.3.8 Role of language and culture in the 21st century in teaching and learning English 26 CHAPTER .27 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .27 v 3.1 Research design 27 3.2 Data Collection .27 3.2.1 Instruments 27 3.2.2 Participants 29 3.3 Data Analysis 29 3.4 Limitation of the Study 29 3.5 Procedure 29 3.6 Conclusion 30 CHAPTER FINDING AND DISCUSSION 31 4.1 Analysis of students' questionnaire 31 4.1.1 The motivation for learning the English Language of students at Dong Hoi high schools 32 4.1.2 The students' practice English language at your home 32 4.1.3 The students' communication in English at shopping malls 33 4.1.4 The students' comfort while communicating in the English Language? 33 4.1.5 The necessity of socio-cultural factors in learning English .34 4.1.6 The changes in the behavior and beliefs at School in terms of English language .34 4.1.7 The contribution of visiting native countries to learning the English language 36 4.1.8 The helps of social networks like Facebook and Twitter in learning the English language 36 4.1.9 The students' interest in learning the English language .36 4.1.10 The impact of English course books that describe life and situation from an English point of view on your life .37 4.1.11 Parents' education status .37 4.1.12 The person students live with 38 4.1.13 Parents' occupation 39 4.1.14 The guiders in the academic program in school 40 4.1.15 The person helping students learn English at home 41 4.1.16 Classroom activities 41 vi 4.1.17 The type of assignments received from English teachers .42 4.1.18 The support from the English teachers 43 4.1.19 The type of correction from teachers in speaking English 44 4.1.20 The latest English test marks? Test (10 Questions): Exercises on socio interaction in examinations from 2008 to now (Appendix 2) 44 4.2 Analysis of teacher's questionnaire 46 4.2.1 The teachers' training time 46 4.2.2 The frequency of arranging discussions among teachers about English teaching 47 4.2.3 The problems in students' L2 use? 47 4.2.4 Teachers’ opinion on the importance of culture teaching .48 4.2.5 The necessity of having a cultural item in the curriculum 49 4.2.6 Categorization of teachers’ definitions of ‘culture’ 49 4.2.7 The frequency of organizing activities in English class? .52 4.2.8 Teachers' correcting 53 4.3 Implication 54 4.3.1 Implication for students 54 4.3.2 Implication for teachers 57 4.4 Conclusion 70 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATION .73 5.1 Introduction .73 5.2 Summary of the key finding 73 5.3 Implication 74 5.3.1 For EFL teachers .74 5.3.2 For Administrators 75 5.3.3 For Students 75 5.4 Contribution of the Study .76 5.5 Limitation of the study 76 5.6 Recommendation for further research 76 5.7 Conclusion 77 REFERENCES 78 vii APPENDICES 85 Appendix 1: Test for students 85 Appendix 2: Test for students 87 Appendix 3: Questionnaire for students A 89 Appendix : Frequency Table_ Data for Figure 4.1.1 & Figure 4.1.19 94 Appendix 5: Questionnaire for teachers 100 Appendix : Frequency Table_ Data for Figure 4.2.1 & Figure 4.2.8 102 Appendix : Frequency Table_ Data for Figure 4.1 105 Appendix : Frequency Table_ Data for Figure 4.1.20 105 viii Q6: Ngơn ngữ tiếng Anh có làm thay đổi hành vi niềm tin học sinh trường trung học khơng? a Có b Khơng c Ý kiến khác Q7: Bạn có nghĩ đến thăm nước địa đóng góp cho việc học tiếng Anh khơng? a Có b Khơng Q8: Các trang mạng xã hội Facebook Twitter có giúp học tiếng Anh khơng? a Có b Khơng Q9: Bạn có thích học tập lớp học tiếng Anh khơng? a Có b Khơng Q10: Bạn có nghĩ khóa học tiếng Anh mơ tả sống tình hình từ quan điểm nước Anh có ảnh hưởng đến sống bạn khơng? a Có b Khơng Q11: Giáo dục cha mẹ với định: a Sau đại học b Đại học c Không học đại học b Ở ký túc xá c Ở người thân Q12: Bạn sống đâu? a Với gia đình Q13: Nghề nghiệp bố mẹ a Doanh nhân b Bác sĩ c Giáo viên d Thất nghiệp e Các công việc khác Q14: Ai hướng dẫn bạn việc học? a Bố mẹ b Gia sư c Người thân d Tự học Q15: Ai giúp bạn học tiếng Anh nhà? a Bố mẹ b Gia sư c Người thân d Tự học Q16: Bạn học loại hoạt động lớp học tiếng Anh? a Làm tập truyền thống từ sách b Hoạt động giao tiếp với đối tượng thực c Cả hai (vui lòng ghi rõ) Q17: Bạn nhận tập nhà từ giáo viên tiếng Anh? 92 a Làm tập truyền thống từ sách b Hoạt động giao tiếp với đối tượng thực c Cả hai (vui lịng ghi rõ) Q18: Bạn có nhận giúp đỡ học tiếng Anh từ giáo viên không? a Luôn b Thỉnh thoảng c Không Q19: Giáo viên bạn làm loại điều chỉnh nói bạn? a Lỗi ngữ pháp b Sự mạch lạc c Không sửa lỗi d Sự lưu loát 93 e Lỗi phát âm Appendix : Frequency Table_ Data for Figure 4.1.1 & Figure 4.1.19 4.1.1 Question 1: Do you think students at Phan Dinh Phung high school have motivation for learning English Language? Đồng Hới Answer Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 32 100 35 100 25 89.2 10.8 No 4.1.2 Do you practice English language at your home? Đồng Hới Answer Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 32 100 35 100 10.8 25 89.2 No 4.1.3 Do you speak English at shopping malls? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate 28.1 19 54.2 10 35.7 Sometimes 18 56.25 12 34.2 7.2 Never 15.65 11,6 16 57,1 Every Sunday 4.1.4 Do you feel comfortable while communicating in English Language? Answer Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 27 84.3 31 88.6 12 45.8 No 15.7 11.4 16 54.2 Total: Yes: 70: 73.6%No: 25: 26.4% 4.1.5 Do you think learning English language needs socio-cultural factors at School? Answer type Đồng Hới Quantity Rate Đào Duy Từ Quantity 94 Rate Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Yes 27 84.3 31 88.6 12 45.8 No 15.7 11.4 16 54.2 Total: Yes: 70: 73.6%No: 25: 26.4% 4.1.6 Does English language cause changes in the behaviour and beliefs at School? Đồng Hới Answer Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 20 62.5 30 85.7 10 45.8 No 15.7 11.4 14 54.2 21.8 Other opinion Total: Yes: 70: 73.6% 4.1.7 No: 23: 24.2% Other opinions: 12: 2.2% Do you think visiting native countries contribute to learning English language? Answer Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 29 90.62 31 88.6 25 89.2 No 9.38 11.4 10.8 Yes: 85: 89 4% Total: No: 10: 10.6% 4.1.8 Do you think social networks like Facebook and twitter help in learning English language Answer Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 29 90.62 31 88.6 25 89.2 No 9.38 11.4 10.8 Total: Yes: 85: 89.4%No: 10: 95 10.6% 4.1.9 Do You Enjoy Learning English Language? Answer Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 31 96.9 33 94,2 27 96.4 No 3.1 5.8 3.6 Yes: 91: 95.7% Total: No: 4: 4.3% 4.1.10 Do you think English course books that describe life and situation from an English western point of view affects your life? Answer Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 31 96.9 33 94,2 27 96.4 No 3.1 5.8 3.6 4.1.11 Question 11: Parents' education status Đồng Hới Education Status Post graduation Graduation Under graduation Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate 15.63 12 34.28 17.86 10 31.25 17 48.57 28.57 17 53.12 17.15 15 53.57 4.1.12.Question 12: With whom you live? Answer Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Family 25 78.12 35 100 15 53.57 Relatives 21.88 0 28.57 Hostel 0 0 17.86 96 4.1.13 Question 13: Parents' occupation Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Businessman 10 31.25 19 54.28 17.85 Doctor 12.5 17.14 10.73 Teacher 9.37 8.58 14.28 Unemployed 6.26 0 25 Others 13 40.62 20 32.14 4.1.14 Question 14: Who guides in academic program in school (outside classroom)? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Parents 10 31.25 11 31.42 10.71 Home tutor 12.5 17 48.57 10.71 Relatives 9.38 11.42 10.71 Myself 15 46.87 8.59 19 67.87 4.1.15 Question 15: Who help you in learning English at home? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Parents 0 11 31.42 0 Home tutor 12.5 17 48.57 10.71 Relatives 9.38 11.42 10.71 Myself 25 78.12 8.59 22 78.58 4.1.16 Question 16: Activities done in English class Answer type Communicative activities with Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate 10 31.25 11 31.42 15 53.57 97 real object Traditional activities with exercises from 12.5 20.01 10.72 18 56.25 17 48.57 10 35.71 book Both 4.1.17.Question 17: Type of assignments received from English teacher? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate with 15 46.88 16 45.71 15 53.57 exercises from 12.5 5.72 10.72 17 53.12 17 48.57 10 35.71 Communicative activities real object Traditional book Others 4.1.18.Question 18: Do you get any help on learning English from teacher? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Always 15 46.88 16 45.72 15 53.57 Sometimes 17 53.12 19 54.28 13 46.43 Never - - - - - - 4.1.19.Question 19: What type of correction your teachers in your speaking English? Answer type Spelling Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Quantity Rate Quantity 15.62 98 Spelling Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate 15.62 Grammatical 21.87 Grammatical 21.87 Fluency 25 Fluency 25 Coherence 10 31.25 10 Coherence 10 31.25 6.26 11.45 Never make correction 99 Appendix 5: Questionnaire for teachers Name:…………… Age: ………… School:………………… Gender: ………………… 4.2.1 Question 1: How long have you been trained to be an English teacher? a years b years c more than years 4.2.2 Question 2: How often you arrange any discussion among teachers about English teaching? a rarely b sometimes c always 4.2.3 Question 3: Do you find any problems in students' L2 use? a yes b no c sometimes 4.2.4 Question 4: Do you think teaching culture is important to high school students in English class? a very important b important c undecided d less important e not important 4.2.5 Question 5: Do you think it is necessity of having a cultural item in the curriculum? a very necessary b necessary c undecided d less necessary e not necessary 4.2.6 Question 6: How you understand the concept of ‘culture’? (Tick x) Q6 Teacher Culture understood as people’s way of life or habits, their daily life, life style living conditions, routines, people’s hobby, weather and so on; Culture understood as tradition, folklore and customs social customs/habits, local conditions & customs and morals of people, communicative rite, social protocol, social convention, popular practice, culture customs and so on; Culture understood as history, geography, all cultural activities in human society, history of characters/words, proverbs, idiomatic 100 usages, slang, great /famous men and so on; Culture understood as products of all kinds-literature, art, music, architecture, films and so on; Culture understood as values, beliefs and behavior patterns, ways of talking/expressing, interpersonal relationship, the ways one gets along with others and conduct oneself in society, religious belief and so on; Others irrelevant answers or other uncertain ones 4.2.7 Question 7: How often you organize activities in English class? a always b sometimes c never 4.2.8 Question 8: What type of correction you while students practice English? a spelling b grammatical d coherence e never make correction 101 c fluency Appendix : Frequency Table_ Data for Figure 4.2.1 & Figure 4.2.8 4.2.1 Question 1: How long have you been trained to be an English teacher? Đồng Hới Answer Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng type Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate years 87.5 60 66.66 years 0 0 0 More 12.5 40 33.34 4.2.2 Question 2: How often you arrange any discussion among teachers about English teaching? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Always 87.5 80 88.88 Sometimes 12.5 20 11.12 Rarely - - - - - - 4.2.3 Question 3: Do you find any problems in students' L2 use? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Yes 75 80 88.88 No 12.5 20 11.12 Sometimes 12.5 - - - - 4.2.4 Question 4: Do you think teaching culture is important to high school students in English class? Q4 Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng F P F P F P 1 12,5 40 67,56 50 30 11,11 12,5 10 11,11 12.5 10 11,11 12,5 10 11,11 102 Note: 1=Very important; 2=Important 3=Undecided; 4=less important; 5=Not important F=frequency; P=percent; 4.2.5 Question 5: Do you think it is necessity of having a cultural item in the curriculum? Q5 Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng F P F P F P 25 20 33.34 37.5 40 22,22 12,5 10 22,22 12.5 20 11,11 12,5 10 11,11 Note: 1=Very necessary, 2=Necessary, 3=undecided, 4=less necessary, 5=not necessary F=frequency, P=percent 4.2.6 Question 6: How you understand the concept of ‘culture’? (Tick x) Categorization of teachers’ definitions of ‘culture’ Q6 Teacher Culture understood as people’s way of life or habits, their daily life, life 15.2% style living conditions, routines, people’s hobby, weather and so on; Culture understood as tradition, folklore and customs-social 29.1% customs/habits, local conditions & customs and morals of people, communicative rite, social protocol, social convention, popular practice, culture customs and so on; Culture understood as history, geography, all cultural activities in 22.9% human society, history of characters/words, proverbs, idiomatic usages, slang, great /famous men and so on; Culture understood as products of all kinds-literature, art, music, 4.2% architecture, films and so on; Culture understood as values, beliefs and behavior patterns, ways of 2.1% talking/expressing, interpersonal relationship, the ways one gets along 103 with others and conduct oneself in society, religious belief and so on; Others irrelevant answers or other uncertain ones 26.5% 4.2.7 Question 7: How often you organize activities in English class? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Always 87.5 80 66.66 Sometimes 12.5 20 33.34 Never - - - - - - 4.2.8 Question 8: What type of correction you while students practice English? Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Spelling 12.5 30 22.22 Grammatical 12.5 10 22.22 Fluency 25 20 11.12 Coherence 50 40 44.44 - - - - - - Never make correction 104 Appendix : Frequency Table_ Data for Figure 4.1 N High o Schools Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Total Qn 100 % 12.5 Qn 32 35 22.8 10 28 0 95 12 80 % 11 34.3 31.2 > Qn 60% Qn % 15 25 22.8 17.8 12 21 22.5 24 62 20 Phan Đình 17.8 42 Phùng Total 12.6 27.3 26 50 Q n % 12 54 3.1 21 25 12 2 67 Qn: Quantity Appendix : Frequency Table_ Data for Figure 4.1.20 Answer type Đồng Hới Đào Duy Từ Phan Đình Phùng Quantity Rate Quantity Rate Quantity Rate 9-10 15.62 22.85 32.15 7-8 21.87 18 51.42 11 39.28 6-5 18 56.25 17.14 28.57