Using pictures to teach english vocabulary to primary school students

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING VINH UNIVERSITY TRẦN THỊ THANH TUYỀN USING PICTURES TO TEACH ENGLISH VOCABULARY TO PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS MASTER’S THESIS IN EDUCATION Vinh, 2017 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING VINH UNIVERSITY TRẦN THỊ THANH TUYỀN USING PICTURES TO TEACH ENGLISH VOCABULARY TO PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS Major: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Code: 60140111 MASTER’S THESIS IN EDUCATION SUPERVISOR: Ngơ Đình Phương, Assoc.Prof.,Dr Vinh, 2017 STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP I certify that the thesis entitled “Using pictures to teach English vocabulary to primary school students” is the result of my own work Vinh, 2017 Author’s signature Trần Thị Thanh Tuyền i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I greatly appreciate supporting from my supervisor, Assoc Prof., Dr Ngo Dinh Phuong He tried his best to guide me, support me in my thesis In addition, my sincere thanks are due to the teachers and the students at Hong Ha primary school where I the research The teachers helped me in arranging the classes where I the surveys The students cooperated well with me in my surveys Moreover, I also want to say a big thanks to my classmates with their encouragement Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family for their love and encouragement They always give me the advice as I am tired ii ABSTRACT Vocabulary is very important in learning language It is seen as central to English language teaching because without sufficient vocabulary students cannot understand others or express their own ideas There are many techniques to teach English vocabulary However, in this research, I would like to explore using pictures in teaching English vocabulary to primary schools students The study focuses on the students’ attitudes towards using pictures in teaching English vocabulary and the use of pictures helps students improve their memorization of English vocabulary The research was taken place in Hong Ha primary school in Ho Chi Minh City with 86 third- graders from two classes 3/5 and 3/6 The instruments I used were: pre-questionnaire and postquestionnaire with twenty statements for each, two tests with twelve items for each The data results from questionnaires and tests were treated via Excel program The results showed that the students liked using pictures in learning vocabulary and had a positive attitude towards using pictures in teaching English vocabulary In addition, using pictures could help learners in remembering the words better In conclusion, the students had a positive attitude towards using pictures in learning English vocabulary and it helped learners improve their memorization in learning English vocabulary iii TABLE OF CONTENT STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii ABSTRACT iii CHAPTER INTRODUCTION 1.1 Rationale 1.2 Aims 1.3 Scope 1.4 Research Questions 1.5 Organization of the study CHAPTER LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 English Vocabulary teaching 2.1.1 Vocabulary definition 2.1.2 Kinds of Vocabulary 2.1.3 Techniques for teaching vocabulary 2.1.4 Principle for teaching vocabulary 10 2.1.5 The importance of vocabulary in language learning 10 2.1.6 Stages to teach vocabulary 11 2.1.7 How to teach and learn vocabulary effectively 12 2.1.8 Presenting vocabulary 13 2.2 Pictures in vocabulary teaching 14 2.2.1 Picture definition 14 2.2.2 Types of pictures 14 2.2.3 The criteria of a good picture 17 2.2.4 The advantages of using pictures in teaching English vocabulary 18 2.2.5 The use of pictures in teaching vocabulary 20 iv 2.3 Ways of using pictures as a teaching strategy 23 2.3.1 Drills 23 2.3.2 Communication (games) 23 2.3.3 Understanding 23 2.3.4 Ornamentation 24 2.3.5 Prediction 24 2.3.6 Discussion 24 2.4 The textbook Family and Friends-grade 3, special Edition 24 2.4.1 The overall design of the textbook 25 Family and Friends-grade 3, special Edition 2.4.2 The general features of the textbook 25 Family and Friends-grade 3, special Edition 2.4.3 Description of the English Vocabulary section in this textbook 26 2.4.4 The repetition of vocabulary in each unit in the textbook Family , and Friends- grade special edition 28 2.5 Activities where pictures are used to teach vocabulary in textbook Family and Friends-grade special edition 29 2.6 The English learning of primary schools students 30 2.6.1 Learners’ problems in vocabulary learning at primary schools 30 2.6.2The current situation and problems of vocabulary teaching at primary schools 31 2.6.3 The characteristics of students at primary schools 31 CHAPTER METHODOLOGY 33 3.1 Participants 33 3.2 Instruments to collect data 33 3.2.1 Questionnaires 33 3.2.1.1Rationale for choosing questionnaires as one of the instruments to collect v Data 33 3.2.1.2 Description of the questionnaires 34 3.2.2 Vocabulary tests 35 3.2.2.1Rationale for choosing vocabulary tests as one of the instruments to collect data 35 3.2.2.2Description of vocabulary tests 35 3.3 Procedures to collect data 37 CHAPTER FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 39 4.1 Students’ attitudes towards using pictures in teaching English vocabulary in prequestionnaire and post questionnaire 39 4.1.1 Pre-questionnaire 40 4.1.2 Post-questionnaire 42 4.2 Students’ performance through vocabulary tests analysis 48 4.3 Discussion on the results of the study 54 4.3.1 What are the primary school students’ attitudes towards using pictures in learning English vocabulary? 54 4.3.2 To what extent may the use of pictures help students improve their memorization of English vocabulary? 55 CHAPTER CONCLUSION 58 5.1 Conclusion 58 5.1.1 What are the primary school students’ attitudes towards using pictures in learning English vocabulary? 58 vi 5.1.2 To what extent may the use of pictures help students improve their memorization of English vocabulary? 59 5.2 Recommendation 59 5.2.1 Teachers 59 5.2.2 Students 60 5.3 Suggestion for further study 60 5.3.1 Limitation 60 5.3.2 Suggestion for further study 61 REFERENCES 62 APPENDICES 65 vii TABLES LISTS Table 2.1: Some criteria of a good picture .17 Table 2.2: Advantages of using pictures in teaching English 18 Table 2.3: Description of the English vocabulary section in “Family and Friends-grade special edition” textbook 27 Table 2.4: The repetition of vocabulary in each unit in “Family and Friends-grade special edition” textbook 28 Table 4.1: Clusters of the questionnaires 39 Table 4.2: Descriptive statistic of students’ attitudes on the benefits of using pictures in teaching English vocabulary in pre-questionnaire 40 Table 4.3: Descriptive statistic of students’ attitudes on the drawbacks of using pictures in teaching English vocabulary in pre-questionnaire 41 Table 4.4: Descriptive statistic of students’ attitudes on the benefits of using pictures in teaching English vocabulary in post-questionnaire 42 Table 4.5: Descriptive statistic of students’ attitudes on the drawbacks of using pictures in teaching English vocabulary in post-questionnaire 43 Table 4.6: Outline of the tests 48 Table 4.7: Mean and SD of two classes in test 49 Table 4.8: Mean and SD of two classes in test 50 Table 4.9: The incidental probability (p) in test and test of two classes 53 viii I like my teacher to use pictures to teach new words Using pictures in learning vocabulary does not help me to guess the meaning of the words Using pictures in learning new words help me to guess the meaning of words easily I not like learning new words by using pictures I have positive attitude towards using pictures in learning new words Pictures make me actively involved in learning process Using pictures to teach new vocabulary helps me to remember new words longer I feel so stressful when teachers ask me to guess meaning of words by using pictures 10 Learning words by using pictures helps me to develop my guessing skill 11 Pictures make me pay attention to lesson and think more 12 I feel disappointed when I give the wrong answer although my teacher uses pictures and explains 13 Using pictures in learning words makes me more active 14 Using pictures make my motivation in learning vocabulary increase 15 Using pictures in learning vocabulary makes my class funny and interesting 66 16 When I learning vocabulary with pictures, I often ignore meaning and focus on pictures only 17 Using pictures in learning words is effective way because it helps me remember words easily and in long time 18 Using pictures in learning English just help me remember words in short time, but I forget if I not practice them 19 I not understand my teacher’s pictures in learning words and teacher’s explanation 20 I like my teacher using pictures in teaching vocabulary because I feel interested in learning and easily learn the words and their meanings 67 BẢNG CÂU HỎI Các bạn học sinh thân mến, Đây nghiên cứu việc sử dụng hình ảnh việc dạy từ vựng Tiếng Anh cho học sinh tiểu học Bảng câu hỏi thiết kế nhằm khảo sát thái độ học sinh việc sử dụng hình ảnh học từ vựng Tiếng Anh Câu trả lời bạn hữu ích, đánh giá cao phần quan trọng luận văn Thạc sĩ Những liệu phục vụ cho nghiên cứu câu trả lời thông tin cá nhân bạn bảo mật Hoàn tồn khơng có câu trả lời hay sai bảng câu hỏi nghiên cứu Vì vậy, bạn vui lịng thoải mái thể suy nghĩ cho 20 ý kiến nêu bảng nghiên cứu vòng 15 phút Trước tiến hành trả lời bảng câu hỏi, xin vui lòng cung cấp thông tin cá nhân bạn việc điền vào ô trống phần Trong phần 2, xin vui lòng đọc chọn câu trả ời bạn: đồng ý, khơng đồng ý, khơng có ý kiến Xin vui lòng nhớ chọn MỘT lựa chọn cho câu trả lời bạn đánh dấu (x) cho câu trả lời bạn Phần 1: Thông tin người tham gia Tên………………………………… Lớp………………………………… Gioi tính: nam/nữ Phần 2: Thái độ học sinh việc sử dụng hình ảnh để dạy từ vựng Tiếng Anh cho học sinh tiểu học Số Thứ Ý Kiến Tự Sử dụng hình ảnh việc học từ vựng 68 Đồng ý Khơng Khơng có (1) đồng ý(2) ý kiến(3) hữu ích Tơi thích giáo viên tơi sử dụng hình ảnh để dạy từ Sử dụng hình ảnh việc học từ vựng khơng giúp tơi đốn nghĩa từ Sử dụng hình ảnh việc học từ giúp tơi đốn nghĩa từ dễ dàng Tơi khơng thích học từ việc sử dụng hình ảnh Tơi có thái độ tích cực việc sử dụng hình ảnh việc học từ Hình ảnh giúp học sinh tập trung vào trình học Sử dụng hình ảnh để dạy từ giúp tơi nhớ từ vựng lâu Tôi cảm thấy áp lực giáo viên u cầu tơi đốn nghĩa từ việc sử dụng hình ảnh 10 Học từ vựng việc sử dụng hình ảnh giúp tơi phát triển kĩ đốn nghĩa từ 11 Hình ảnh làm tập trung vô suy nghĩ nhiều 12 Tôi cảm thấy thất vọng trả lời sai giáo viên sử dụng hình ảnh giải thích cho tơi 13 Sử dụng hình ảnh việc học từ vựng giúp tơi thêm động 69 14 Sử dụng hình ảnh làm cho động lực học từ vựng tăng cao 15 Sử dụng hình ảnh việc học từ vựng làm cho lớp học vui vẻ thú vị 16 Khi tơi học từ vựng hình ảnh, tơi thường tập trung vào hình ảnh mà bỏ qua phần nghĩa từ 17 Sử dụng hình ảnh học từ vựng cách hiệu giúp nhớ từ vựng dễ dàng lâu dài 18 Sử dụng hình ảnh học Tiếng Anh giúp tơi nhớ từ vựng thời gian ngắn, quên từ vựng tơi khơng thực hành thường xun 19 Tơi khơng hiểu hình ảnh giải thích hình ảnh mà giáo viên tơi cung cấp 20 Tơi thích giáo viên tơi sử dụng hình ảnh để dạy từ vựng tơi cảm thấy thú vị học việc học từ nghĩa từ dễ dàng 70 APPENDIX 2: VOCABULARY TEST Time: 15 minutes Part 1: Information of participant Name……………………………… Class………………………………… Gender: Male/female Part 2: Vocabulary test SECTION 1: Connect the pictures with the correct words Jeans Skirt Boots Scarf SECTION 2: Look at the pictures and choose the correct words He’s wearing an orange ……………………… A Jeans C Shirt B Shoes D Pants 71 He’s wearing brown…………………… A scarf C Pants B Boots D T-shirt These are …………………………… A Boots C Dress B Shoes D Socks He’s wearing a yellow……………… A Shirt C T-shirt B Socks D Dress SECTION 3: Look at pictures and write down the words 72 9……………………………………… 10………………………………………… 11 …………………………………………… 12 …………………………………………………… 73 APPENDIX 3: VOCABULARY TEST Time: 15 minutes Part 1: Information of participant Name……………………………… Class………………………………… Gender: Male/female Part 2: Vocabulary test SECTION 1: Connect the pictures with the correct words Horse Goat Donkey Cow SECTION 2: Look at the pictures and choose the correct words There is a …………………….on the field A Donkey C Goose B Goat D Sheep 74 There is a……………………………on the field A Goose C Goat B Sheep D Hen There are two …………………….on the field A Goats C Elephants B Hens D Monkey These are two…………………………… A Monkeys C Elephants B Cows D Hens SECTION 3: Look at pictures and write down the words 9……………………………………… 75 10………………………………………… 11 …………………………………………… 12 …………………………………………………… 76 APPENDIX 4: STUDENTS’ MARKS ON THEIR TEST Grade 3/5 Test Grade 3/6 Test 1 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 10 12 10 12 10 13 10 13 10 14 10 14 10 15 10 15 10 16 10 16 10 17 10 17 10 18 10 18 10 19 10 19 10 20 10 20 10 21 10 21 10 22 10 22 10 23 10 23 10 24 10 24 9.17 25 9.17 25 9.17 77 26 9.17 26 9.17 27 9.17 27 9.17 28 9.17 28 9.17 29 9.17 29 9.17 30 9.17 30 9.17 31 9.17 31 9.17 32 9.17 32 9.17 33 9.17 33 8.34 34 9.17 34 8.34 35 9.17 35 8.34 36 9.17 36 8.34 37 8.34 37 8.34 38 8.34 38 8.34 39 7.51 39 7.51 40 7.51 40 7.51 41 6.68 41 7.51 42 6.68 42 6.68 43 5.02 43 5.02 78 APPENDIX 5: STUDENTS’ MARKS ON THEIR TEST Grade 3/5 Test Grade 3/6 Test 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 10 12 10 12 10 13 10 13 10 14 10 14 10 15 10 15 10 16 10 16 10 17 10 17 10 18 10 18 10 19 10 19 10 20 10 20 10 21 10 21 10 22 10 22 10 23 10 23 9.17 24 10 24 9.17 25 10 25 9.17 26 10 26 9.17 79 27 10 27 9.17 28 10 28 9.17 29 10 29 9.17 30 10 30 9.17 31 10 31 9.17 32 10 32 9.17 33 10 33 9.17 34 10 34 9.17 35 10 35 8.34 36 10 36 8.34 37 9.17 37 8.34 38 9.17 38 8.34 39 9.17 39 8.34 40 8.34 40 7.51 41 6.68 41 6.68 42 6.68 42 5.85 43 6.68 43 5.85 80 ... techniques to teach English vocabulary However, in this research, I would like to explore using pictures in teaching English vocabulary to primary schools students The study focuses on the students? ??... using pictures, in helping students remember the vocabularies better and learn English well; therefore, I choose the topic ? ?Using pictures to teach English Vocabulary to primary school students? ??... AND TRAINING VINH UNIVERSITY TRẦN THỊ THANH TUYỀN USING PICTURES TO TEACH ENGLISH VOCABULARY TO PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS Major: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Code: 60140111