E couse a task based approach for the teaching and learning general english at da lat university

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES FACULTY OF LINGUICTICS AND LITERATURE DINH THI NGOC HA ‘E-COURSE’ – A TASK-BASED APPROACH FOR THE TEACHING AND LEARNING GENERAL ENGLISH AT DALAT UNIVERSITY SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER IN TESOL SUPERVISOR: CAO THI QUYNH LOAN, M.A HO CHI MINH CITY - 2008 NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES FACULTY OF LINGUICTICS AND LITERATURE DINH THI NGOC HA ‘E-COURSE’ – A TASK-BASED APPROACH FOR THE TEACHING AND LEARNING GENERAL ENGLISH AT DALAT UNIVERSITY SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER IN TESOL SUPERVISOR: CAO THI QUYNH LOAN, M.A HO CHI MINH CITY - 2008 CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I hereby certify my authorship of the thesis submitted today entitled: ‘E-COURSE’ – A TASK-BASED APPROACH FOR THE TEACHING AND LEARNING GENERAL ENGLISH AT DALAT UNIVERSITY in terms of the statements of requirements for Theses in Master’s Programs issued by the Higher Degree Committee Ho Chi Minh City, 2008 Dinh Thi Ngoc Ha i RETENTION AND USE OF THE THESIS I hereby state that I, Dinh Thi Ngoc Ha, being the candidate for the degree of Master of TESOL, accept the requirements of the University relating to the retention and use of Master’s theses deposited in the University Library In terms of these conditions, I agree that the original of my thesis deposited in the University Library should be accessible for the purposes of study and research, in accordance with the normal conditions established by the Library for care, loan or reproduction of theses Ho Chi Minh City, 2008 Dinh Thi Ngoc Ha ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Loan Thi Quynh Cao, M.A, who has given me a lot of helpful advices and enthusiastic instructions on my thesis I am really grateful to all the lecturers of the 2003-2006 Tesol course at Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences and Humanities who have given me many useful, interesting lectures and professional, enthusiastic guidance I also would like to thanks the teachers and my students at Dalat University for their assistance in the completing the questionnaires and contributing valuable comments on the teaching and learning in this school Finally, I want to show my special thank to my mother in law who has encouraged me a lot as well as all my family’s members If there was not their encouragement, I would hardly finish my thesis iii To my beloved son iv ABSTRACT E-learning, which has been drawing the attention of the entire world to develop and apply, is the most modern teaching and learning methodology E-learning is a useful supporter to the traditional teaching and learning methods and seems to be a gold mine for learners, teachers and researchers E-courses are a kind of e-learning incorporating with the Task-based Approach which focus on meaning rather than form by exploring natural language use in authentic environments The purpose of this study was to apply an e-course as a reference for teaching general English and find out how the e-course does to improve teaching and learning quality at Dalat University The method in this study includes a survey with questionnaires, interviews and observation, tests and an experiment of an e-course at Dalat University The results from the study revealed that contemporary methods of teaching and learning general English at Dalat University show low quality and not meet the high demands of students However, very few authentic and meaningful tasks or technological aids have been used to improve teaching and learning quality Therefore, there is a high demand of a new enjoyable, motivating and effective way of teaching and learning, and e-courses are a more effective way of teaching and learning general English at Dalat University than the current methodology Although there were some difficulties when implementing the e-course, there are solutions, too In conclusion, Task-based Approach is suggested to be applied in teaching and learning general English at Dalat University, and e-courses are an effective implementation of Task-based Approach E-courses are not only suitable for teaching and learning general English at Dalat University but also other subjects at other schools v TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 AIM OF THE STUDY 1.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1.3 OVERVIEW OF THE THESIS CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 THE GRAMMAR TRANSLATION APPROACH 2.2 THE COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH 2.3 THE TASK-BASED APPROACH 2.3.1 AUTHENTIC TASKS – AUTHENTIC LANGUAGE – AUTHENTICITY 2.4 2.3.2 THE “COMPREHENSIBLE INPUT” THEORY 10 2.3.3 THE INTERACTIONAL HYPOTHESIS 11 E-LEARNING AND E-COURSES 12 2.4.1 E-LEARNING 12 2.4.2 E-COURSES 14 2.4.3 THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF E-LEARNING 15 AND E-COURSES 2.4.4 MY ‘E-COURSE’ 17 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 19 3.1 PURPOSES OF THE STUDY 19 3.2 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 19 3.3 RESEARCH DESIGN 19 3.3.1 SUBJECTS 20 3.3.1.1 THE STUDENTS 20 3.3.1.2 THE TEACHERS 20 vi 3.4 3.3.2 QUESTIONNAIRE DESCRIPTION 20 3.3.3 TEST DESCRIPTION 21 3.3.4 ‘E-COURSE’ DESCRIPTION 22 THE CURRENT BACKGROUND 24 3.4.1 THE COURSE AND THE SYLLABUS 24 3.4.2 THE STUDENTS AND THE TEACHERS 24 3.4.3 THE SCHOOL 25 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DICSCUSSION 26 4.1 26 DATA COLLECTION 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.2 THE QUESTIONNAIRES 26 4.1.1.1 THE QUESTIONNAIRE A 26 4.1.1.2 THE QUESTIONNAIRE B 28 4.1.1.3 THE QUESTIONNAIRE C 30 THE TESTS 32 4.1.2.1 THE PRE TEST 33 4.1.2.2 THE POST TEST 33 4.1.2.3 THE ORAL TEST AND FINAL TEST 34 THE E-COURSE 34 4.1.3.1 READING TEXTS AND PRESENTATIONS 35 4.1.3.2 DISCUSSIONS 35 4.1.3.3 THE WEBSITE 36 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 4.2.1 CONTEMPORARY 36 METHODS OF TEACHING AND 36 LEARNING ENGLISH SHOW LOW QUALITY AND DO NOT MEET THE HIGH DEMANDS OF STUDENTS 4.2.2 VERY FEW AUTHENTIC AND MEANINGFUL TASKS OR TECHNOLOGICAL AIDS HAVE BEEN USED AT DALAT UNIVERSITY TO IMPROVE TEACHING AND LEARNING QUALITY vii 43 4.2.3 THERE IS A HIGH DEMAND FOR A NEW ENJOYABLE, MOTIVATING AND EFFECTIVE WAY OF TEACHING 50 AND LEARNING 4.2.4 ‘E-COURSES’ ARE A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY OF TEACHING 54 AND LEARNING GENERAL ENGLISH AT DALAT UNIVERSITY THAN THE CURRENT METHODOLOGY 4.3 DRAWBACKS 60 CHAPTER 5: SUGGESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 62 5.1 62 SUGGESTIONS 5.1.1 THE TASK-BASED APPROACH SHOULD BE USED FOR THE 62 TEACHING AND LEARNING GENERAL ENGLISH AT DALAT UNIVERSITY 5.1.2 ‘E-COURSES’ ARE A METHOD OF TASK-BASED 63 LANGUAGE TEACHING 5.2 SOLUTIONS TO OPERATE E-COURSES 65 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION 70 APPENDICES 71 APPENDIX A (Questionnaire A for students) 71 APPENDIX B (Questionnaire B for students) 75 APPENDIX C (Questionnaire C for teachers) 77 APPENDIX D (The Pre test) 83 APPENDIX E (The Post Test) 86 APPENDIX F (The E-course) 89 BIBLIOGRAPHY 95 viii Ambati was in college He graduated from college at 14 and from medical school at 17 Now that he is a doctor, Ambati plans to go for advanced training in Boston True/ false: 64 Balamurati was burned when he was five years old 65 He didn’t want to be a doctor 66 He was in college at 11 67 He became the youngest doctor in the world at the age of 17 Answer the questions: 68 What did he decide to then? 69 According to Guinness Book of Records, how old was the youngest doctor in the world? 70 What does he want to now? V Writing (20ms) Write about your last summer holiday (Where did you go?/ with Whom?/ by What? What did you there? What did you like/ dislike?) APPENDIX E Post test for Pre-intermediate Level VI Tenses: Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the verbs: (30ms) a - Why have you got so much food? – Because I …(1-cook)… a meal for ten people b - My car isn’t working – ‘Ask Joe to look at it He …(2-help)… you! c - I passed my driving test – That’s great! I … (3-buy)… some champagne to celebrate! d ‘Try to study hard If you …(4-fail)… the exam, I …(5-not/ allow…) you to go on holiday this summer!’ e I …(6-do)… my homework as soon as the lesson …(7-finish)… f If I …(8-have)… a little money now, I …(9-not/ be)… hungry like this g I was hungry because I …(10-not/have)… breakfast h Peter …(11-born)… in London, but he …(12-grow up)… in Paris So, he …(13can/speak)… both English and French He …(14-graduate)… three years ago Since then, he …(15-work)… for FPT company There, he …(16-have to)… travel a lot and he doesn’t like his work, so he decides …(17-give up)… his job and find another 86 i At first, tobacco …(18-chew)… or …(19-smoke)… in pipes by men only j Nylon …(20-invent)… in the 1930S k John Frantz is American He has a wonderful lifestyle and he wants …(21-share)… it with an English girl He enjoys …(22-go)… on exotic holidays, but he wouldn’t like …(23-live)… outside the United States He hopes …(24-find)… an English wife through the English Rose dating agency He’d like …(25-meet)… someone who likes …(26-travel)… l It’s very difficult …(27-learn)… English well m Sorry I’m late (28-wait)… long? n Last week, a winning lottery ticket worth $7 million …(29-find)… by William Murphy, who returned it to its owner Yesterday Mr Murphy…(30-give)… $1.2 million as a reward for his honesty VII Word form: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the words: (10ms) a I like Chinese food because of the …(31)… of ingredients (various) b Open the parcel …(32)… It’s got glass in it (care) c Peter was rewarded for his …(33)… (honest) d Jenny’s worried She’s got two…(34)… exams tomorrow (importance) e I gave the police a…(35)… of the man who attacked me (describe) f - Are they…(36)…? – Yes, they are millionaires – Where does their money come from? – They have a very …(37)… business (wealth) (succeed) g I had a few problems, but Bob gave me some good …(38)… (advice) h Please drive …(39)… The roads are so …(40)… (care) (danger) VIII Social expressions: (20ms) Matching the expressions and response: (5ms) 41 I feel nervous I’ve got an exam a cheer up! Things can’t be that bad! today b Why don’t you go home to bed? 42 I don’t feel very well c I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m sure 43 I’m feeling a lot better I’ve got a lot he’ll be all right more energy d That’s good I’m pleased to hear it 44 my grandfather’s going into hospital e Good luck! Do your best for tests 45 I feel really depressed at the moment 41………… 42………… 43…………… 44………… 45………… Fill in the blanks with the suitable verbs: (15ms) a - I would like to …(46)… a reservation, please - Certainly, when is it for? 87 b c d e f g h i j k l - For two nights, the thirteenth and fourteenth of this month - Do you want a single room or …(47)… room? I can’t stop sneezing and my nose is runny I’ve got …(48)… I love my house in the country because of the …(49)… and quiet Sometimes you have to be …(50)… to be kind Don’t believe Anne She often …(51)… lies My car …(52)… down so I had to …(53)… a lift to the party My mother has to …(54)… the shopping, my sister has to the cooking, and I have to …(55)… the beds every morning We’ve come home at last! I’ve been so worried! Thank goodness we’ve arrived safe and …(56)… - How’s your Gran? - …(57)… and down There are good days, and then not such good days’ - Are the doors locked? - I think so, but I’ll just …(58)… sure’ - Bye-bye! See you soon - Bye! …(59)… of yourself! - I don’t know if I love Tom or Henry - …(60)… your mind You can’t marry both of them’ IX Reading text (20ms) THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHTS In 1868 the city of London set up the world’s first traffic light outside the House of Parliament The traffic light wasn’t electricity – instead it used gas lamps behind red and green glasses Unfortunately, it wasn’t very successful: after a few days, it exploded and killed a policeman It was almost 50 years before they built another traffic lights a True/ false: 61 London set up the first traffic lights in 1868 62 The first traffic lights used gas 63 The first traffic light had three colors 64 The first traffic lights killed a driver b Answer the questions: 65 Where were the first traffic lights set? 66 Were the first traffic lights successful? What happened to them? 67 When were the second traffic lights built after the first ones? A SMART TEACHER My most embarrassing experience happened when I had just left university I had just started teaching in a Liverpool secondary school One morning my alarm clock didn’t ring I had forgotten to wind it up I woke up at half past eight and school began at nine I quickly washed, shaved, dressed, jumped into my car, and drove to school When I arrived, my students had already gone into class I didn’t go into the staff room, but went straight into 88 class After two or three minutes the students began laughing, and I couldn’t understand why! Suddenly I looked down and understood I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe! c True/false: 68 My embarrassing experience happened when I was at the university 69 I was late because I lost my alarm clock 70 I ran to school 71 My students hadn’t gone into class when I came 72 I went into the staff room before going to the class d Answer the questions: 73 Where was my embarrassing experience happened? 74 What time did my class start? 75 Why did my students laugh? 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