The effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on ESL students vocabulary learning

In the KBSM English syllabus, vocabulary learning is only incorporated implicitlybased on the four main skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Often, ESL learners maymiss out on the different meanings that can be accounted for a word and its spelling due to lesseffective method. This stud...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mohd Haniff Mohd Tahir
Format: thesis
Language:eng
Published: 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ir.upsi.edu.my/detailsg.php?det=4881
Tags: Add Tag
id oai:ir.upsi.edu.my:4881
record_format uketd_dc
institution Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
collection UPSI Digital Repository
language eng
topic P Language and Literature
spellingShingle P Language and Literature
Mohd Haniff Mohd Tahir
The effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on ESL students vocabulary learning
description In the KBSM English syllabus, vocabulary learning is only incorporated implicitlybased on the four main skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Often, ESL learners maymiss out on the different meanings that can be accounted for a word and its spelling due to lesseffective method. This study aimed to investigate the effects of using the explicit method ofvocabulary instructions on vocabulary learning of two groups of Form Two students (60 students)from sub-urban schools in Ipoh and Teluk Intan, Perak. The quasi-experimental research design wasimplemented. A new word test was administered to select 45 target words and explicit vocabularylessons were used to help students learn these words. The scores of the pre and post-tests wereanalysed by using the independent sample t-test, paired sample t-test and descriptive statistics.The score comparison and total improvement score in percentage were also presented. Thequestionnaires in the student’s feedback and evaluation forms were analysed descriptively in termsof frequency counts, percentages, mean scores and standard deviation. The qualitative data from thesemi-structured students’ interview was transcribed, categorised and coded by using contentanalysis whereas the teacher’s logs were kept as a record of the classroom observation. The pairedsample t-test results are (t=-17.85, df=29, p<.05) for the experimental group and (t=-4.85, df=29,p<.05) for the control group. Based on the results, both experimental and control groups improvedsignificantly (p=.000*) in the post-test with a mean difference of 15.62. Spelling lesson recordedthe highest mean percentage while the lowest was the Vocabulary Anchors lesson. Learners in theexperimental group also reported positive perceptions towards the teacher’s instructions (M=4.48,SD=0.64) and vocabulary lessons (M=4.34, SD=0.59). The implication of this study suggested that theuse of the explicit method which included different techniques is effective inlearning the target words.
format thesis
qualification_name
qualification_level Doctorate
author Mohd Haniff Mohd Tahir
author_facet Mohd Haniff Mohd Tahir
author_sort Mohd Haniff Mohd Tahir
title The effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on ESL students vocabulary learning
title_short The effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on ESL students vocabulary learning
title_full The effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on ESL students vocabulary learning
title_fullStr The effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on ESL students vocabulary learning
title_full_unstemmed The effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on ESL students vocabulary learning
title_sort effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on esl students vocabulary learning
granting_institution Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
granting_department Fakulti Bahasa dan Komunikasi
publishDate 2019
url https://ir.upsi.edu.my/detailsg.php?det=4881
_version_ 1747833156350771200
spelling oai:ir.upsi.edu.my:48812020-06-17 The effects of using the explicit method of vocabulary instructions on ESL students vocabulary learning 2019 Mohd Haniff Mohd Tahir P Language and Literature In the KBSM English syllabus, vocabulary learning is only incorporated implicitlybased on the four main skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Often, ESL learners maymiss out on the different meanings that can be accounted for a word and its spelling due to lesseffective method. This study aimed to investigate the effects of using the explicit method ofvocabulary instructions on vocabulary learning of two groups of Form Two students (60 students)from sub-urban schools in Ipoh and Teluk Intan, Perak. The quasi-experimental research design wasimplemented. A new word test was administered to select 45 target words and explicit vocabularylessons were used to help students learn these words. The scores of the pre and post-tests wereanalysed by using the independent sample t-test, paired sample t-test and descriptive statistics.The score comparison and total improvement score in percentage were also presented. Thequestionnaires in the student’s feedback and evaluation forms were analysed descriptively in termsof frequency counts, percentages, mean scores and standard deviation. The qualitative data from thesemi-structured students’ interview was transcribed, categorised and coded by using contentanalysis whereas the teacher’s logs were kept as a record of the classroom observation. The pairedsample t-test results are (t=-17.85, df=29, p<.05) for the experimental group and (t=-4.85, df=29,p<.05) for the control group. Based on the results, both experimental and control groups improvedsignificantly (p=.000*) in the post-test with a mean difference of 15.62. Spelling lesson recordedthe highest mean percentage while the lowest was the Vocabulary Anchors lesson. Learners in theexperimental group also reported positive perceptions towards the teacher’s instructions (M=4.48,SD=0.64) and vocabulary lessons (M=4.34, SD=0.59). The implication of this study suggested that theuse of the explicit method which included different techniques is effective inlearning the target words. 2019 thesis https://ir.upsi.edu.my/detailsg.php?det=4881 https://ir.upsi.edu.my/detailsg.php?det=4881 text eng closedAccess Doctoral Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Fakulti Bahasa dan Komunikasi Anderson, M. (1998). Educational psychology. Portland, OR: Cortland College.Anthony, E. M. (1963). Approach, method and technique. English Language Teaching, 17,63-57.Archer, A. L., & Hughes, C. A. (2011). Explicit instruction: Effective and efficient teaching. NewYork: The Guilford Press.Armbruster, B., Lehr, F., & Osborn, J. (2001). Put reading first: The research building blocks forteaching children to read. Jessup, MD: National Institute for Literacy.Bahrani, T., Tam, S. S., & Nekoueizadeh, M. (2014). Second language acquisition in informalsetting. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 4 (8), 1714- 1723.Baker, T. L. (1994). Doing social research (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Inc.Beck, I. L., & McKeown, M. G. (1983). Learning words well: A program to enhance vocabulary andcomprehension. The Reading Teacher, 36, 622-625.Beck, I. L., McKeown, M. G., McCaslin, E. C., & Burkes, A. M. (1979).Instructional dimensions that may affect reading comprehension: Examples from two commercialreading programs. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Learning Research and Development Centre.Beck, I., McKeown, M., & Kucan, L. (2002). Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary instruction.New York, NY: Guilford Press.Berne, J. I., & Blachowich, C. L. Z. (2008). What reading teachers say about vocabularyinstruction: Voices from the classroom. The Reading Teacher, 64 (4), 314-323.Bilash, O. (2011). A summary of Stephen Krashen’s “Principles and practice in second languageacquisition”. Retrieved October 3, 2014, from http://www.languageimpact.com/articles/krashenbk.htmBrown, H. D. (2007). Principles of language learning and teaching. New York: Pearson Education.Brown, J. D., & Rodgers, T. S. (2002). Doing second language research. Oxford: Oxford UniversityPress.Bruner, J. (1990). Acts of meaning. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2007). Business research methods (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford UniversityPress.Case, R. (1985). Intellectual development: Birth to adulthood. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.Chang, K. L., Lin, S. E., & Abdul Rashid, M. (2014). Benchmarking Year Five students’ readingabilities. English Language Teaching, 7 (5), 50-58.Chua, Y. P. (2012). Mastering research method. Shah Alam: McGraw-Hill.Clements-Stephens, A., Materek, A. D., Eason, S. H., Scarborough, H. S., Pugh, K.R., Rimrodth, S., Pekar, J. J., & Cutting, L. E. (2012). Neural circuitry associated with twodifferent approaches to novel word learning. Developmental Cognitive Science, 2 (1), 99-113.Cohen, A. D., & Hosenfeld, C. (1981). Some uses of mentalistic data in second language research.Language Learning, 31 (2), 285-313.Cohen, A. D., & Manion, L. (1994). Research methods in education (4th ed.).London and New York: Routledge.Cooper, G. (1998). Research into cognitive load theory and instructional design at UNSW. RetrievedJuly 12, 2015, from http://education.arts.unsw.edu.au/CLT_NET_Aug_97.HTMLCowan, N. (2001). The magical number 4 in short term memory: A reconsideration of mental storagecapacity. Behavioural & Brain Sciences, 24, 87-114.Craik, F. I. M., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research.Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behaviour, 11, 671-684.Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research design: Quantitative and qualitative approaches.California: Sage Publication, Inc.Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Quantitative and qualitative approaches(2nd ed.). California: Sage Publication, Inc.Deuter, M., Bradbery, J., & Turnbull, J. (2015). Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary (9th ed.).Oxford: Oxford University Press.Dimas, H. M. S. (2011). Explicit vocabulary instruction in an English content-area course withuniversity student teachers: When comprehensible input needs to be comprehended. Gist EducationLearning Research Journal, 5, 84-103.Dosher, B. (2003). Working memory. Encyclopaedia of Cognitive Science, 4, 569-577.Duffy, G. (2003). Explaining reading: A resource for teaching concepts, skills, andstrategies. New York, NY: Guilford Press.Ellis, R. (2008). The study of second language acquisition (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford UniversityPress.Entwistle, N. (2008, April). Taking stock: Teaching and learning research in higher education.Paper presented at the International Symposium on Teaching and Learning Research in HigherEducation, Guelph, Ontario.Erlendsson, J. (2002). Value for money studies in higher education. Retrieved July 8, 2015, fromhttp://www.hi.is/~joner/eaps/wh_vfmhe.htmFatimah, H., & Vishalache, B. (2006). Language immersion for language proficiency ESL learners: TheAlemac Project. Reading Matrix, 6 (2), 44-56.Feng, J., & Horn, M. (2012, April). Effect of focused vocabulary instruction on 7th graders’reading comprehension. Paper presented at the 2012 Chinese American Educational Research andDevelopment Association Annual International Conference, Vancouver.Folse, K. S. (2006). The effect of type of written exercise on vocabulary retention.TESOL QUARTERLY, 40 (2), 273-293.Gardner, H. (2002). Interpersonal Communication amongst Multiple Subjects: A Study in Redundancy.Experimental Psychology, 11, 121-140.Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York: Basic Books.Gass, S. M., & Selinker, L. (2008). Second language acquisition: An introductory course (3rd ed.).New York: Taylor & Francis.Gough, P. B., & Hillinger, M. L. (1980). Learning to read: An unnatural act.Bulletin of the Orton Society, 30, 179-196.Graham, S., & Hebert, M. A. (2010). Writing to read: Evidence for how writing can improve reading.A Carnegie corporation time to act report. Washington, DC: Alliance for Excellent Education.Graves, M. F. (2006). The vocabulary book: Learning and instruction. Newark, DE: InternationalReading Association.Graves, M. F. (1985). A word is a word…Or is it? New York: Scholastic.Graves, M. F., & Prenn, M. C. (1986). Costs and benefits of various methods ofteaching vocabulary. Journal of Reading, 29 (7), 596-602.Greaney, K., & Arrow, A. (2012). Phonological-based assessment and teachingwithin a first year reading programme in New Zealand. Australian Journal of Language and Literacy,35, 9-32.Hancock, R., & Settle, D. (1990). Teacher appraisal and self-evaluation: A practical guide. Oxford:Blackwell Education.Hanson, S., & Padua, J. F. M. (2011). Teaching vocabulary explicitly. Hawai’i: Pacific Resourcesfor Education and Learning.Harmer, J. (2001). The practice of English language teaching. London: Pearson Education Limited.Hashemzadeh, M. (2012). The effect of exercise types on EFL learners’ vocabulary retention. Theoryand Practice in Language Studies, 2 (8), 1716- 1727.Hassan, F., & Selamat, N. F. (2002). Why aren’t students proficient in ESL: The teachers’perspective. The English Teacher, 18-29.Hazita, A., Normazidah, C. M., & Koo, Y. L. (2012). Exploring English language learning andteaching in Malaysia, GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies, 12 (1), 35-51.Hedgcock, J. S., & Ferris, D. R. (2009). Teaching readers of English: Students, texts and contexts.New York: Routledge.Hinkel, E. (2006). Current perspective on teaching the four skills. TESOL Quarterly, 40 (90),109-131.Hirsch, E. D. (2003). Reading comprehension requires knowledge of words and the world: Scientificinsights into the fourth-grade slump and nation’s stagnant comprehension scores. New York: AmericanEducator.Hornby, A. S., & Parnwell, E. C. (1973). Oxford progressive colour dictionary.Oxford: Oxford University Press.Huckin, T., & Coady, J. (1999). Incidental vocabulary acquisition in a second language: A review.Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 21, 190-191.Inderjit, S. (2014). Reading trends and improving reading skills among students in Malaysia.International Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 3 (5), 70-81.Jiang, N. (2004). Semantic transfer and its implications for vocabulary teaching in a secondlanguage. The Modern Language Journal, 88 (3), 416-432.Jihyun, N. (2010). Linking research and practice: Effective stratagies for teachingvocabulary in the ESL classroom. TESL Canada Journal, 28 (1), 127-135.Johnson, D. D., Toms-Bronowski, S., & Pittelman, S. D. (1982). An investigationof the effectiveness of semantic mapping and semantic feature analysis with intermediate gradelevel children. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Centre for Education Research.Johnson, D. D., & Pearson, P. D. (1984). Teaching reading vocabulary (2nd ed.).New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.Kabir, M. H. (2011). The role of context in teaching English to the speakers of other languages(TESOL). IIUC Studies, 7, 25-36.Kameli, S., Mostapha, G., & Baki, R. (2012). The influence of formal language learning environmenton vocabulary learning strategies. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 3 (1), 23-29.KBSM English Language Curriculum Specifications. (2003). Ministry of Education, Malaysia.Kearsley, G. (2001a). Constructivist theory: Theory into practice. Jacksonville, FL: JacksonvilleState University. Retrieved June 8, 2015, from http://tip.psychology.org/bruner.htmlKearsley, G. (2001b). Social development theory: Theory into practice.Jacksonville, FL: Jacksonville State University. Retrieved July 12, 2015, fromhttp://tip.psychology.org/vygotsky.htmlKetabi, S., & Shahraki, S. H. (2011). Vocabulary in the approaches to language teaching: From thetwentieth century to the twenty-first. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 2 (3), 726-731.Khairul, A. (2014). The effectiveness of synthetic phonics in developing early reading skills ofstruggling young ESL readers. Kuala Lumpur: Penerbit Universiti Malaya.Krashen, S. (1982). Principles and practice in second language acquisition.Oxford: Pergamon Press.Laufer, B., & Hill, M. (2000). What lexical information do L2 learners select in a CALL dictionaryand how does it affect word retention? Language Learning and Technology, 3 (2), 58-76.Leedy, P. D. (1997). Practical research: Planning and design (6th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-HallInc.Lutz, S., & Huitt, W. (2004). Connecting cognitive development and constructivism: Implicationsfrom theory for instruction and assessment.Constructivism in the Human Sciences, 9 (1), 67-90.Luu, T. T. (2012). Vocabulary recollection through games. Theory and Practice inLanguage Studies, 2 (2), 257-264.Madrigal-Hopes, D. L., Villavicencio, E., Foote, M. M., & Green, C. (2014).Transforming English language learners’ work readiness: Case studies in explicit, work-specificvocabulary instruction. Adult Learning, 25 (2), 47-56.Mayer, R. E. (2002). Rote versus meaningful learning. Theory into Practice, 41,226-232.Mayer, R. E., & Chandler, P. (2001). When learning is just a click away: Does simple userinteraction foster deeper understanding of multimedia messages? Journal of Educational Psychology,93, 390-397.Mayer, R. E., & Moreno, R. (2003). Nine ways to reduce cognitive load in multimedia learning.Educational Psychologist, 38, 43-52.McLeod, S. A. (2007). Simply psychology: Levels of processing. Retrieved April 3, 2015, fromhttp://www.simplypsychology.org/levelsofprocessing.htmlMcMillan, J. H., & Schumacher, S. (1993). Research in education: A conceptual understanding. NewYork: HarperCollins.Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity forprocessing information. The Psychological Review, 63, 81-97.Milton, J. (2008). Vocabulary uptake from informal learning tasks. Language Learning Journal, 36(2), 227-237.Mirzaii, M. (2012). Implicit vs explicit vocabulary learning: Which approach serves long-termrecall better? The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 18 (2), 1-12.Mizumoto, A., & Takeuchi, O. (2009). Examining the effectiveness of explicit instruction ofvocabulary learning strategies with Japanese EFL university students. Language Teaching Research,13 (4), 425-449.Mukundan, J., Mahvelati, E. H., Mohd Amin Din, & Nimehchisalem, V. (2013).Malaysian secondary school students’ ESL writing performance in an intensive English program. WorldApplied Sciences Journal, 22 (12), 1677- 1684Nam, J. (2010). Linking research and practice: Effective strategies for teachingvocabulary in the ESL classroom. TESL Canada Journal, 28 (1), 127-135.Nassaji, H. (2003). L2 vocabulary learning from context: Strategies, knowledgesources and their relationship with success in L2 lexical inferencing. TESOL Quarterly, 37,645-670.Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge: Cambridge UniversityPress.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2000). Report of the National ReadingPanel. Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific researchliterature on reading and its implications for reading instruction. Retrieved March 15, 2015, fromhttp://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/nrp/smallbook.htmNezhad, G., & Shokrpour, N. (2012). The impact of task type and cognitive style on vocabularylearning. English Language Teaching, 5 (9), 17-23.Nicholl, T. (1998). Vygotsky: The virtual faculty. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey UniversityPress, Retrieved June 24, 2015, from http://www.massey.ac.nz/~alock//virtual/trishvyg.htmNugent, W., Sieppert, J., & Hudson, W. (2001). Practice Evaluation for the 21st Century. PacificGrove, CA: Brooks/Cole.Ormrod, J. E. (2003). Educational psychology: Developing learners. New Jersey: Merrill PrenticeHall.Oxford, R., & Crookall, D. (1990). Vocabulary learning: A critical analysis of techniques. TESLCanada Journal, 7 (2), 9-30.Pacific Resources for Education and Learning [PREL]. (2008). Pacific CHILD teachers’ manual.Honolulu: U.S. Government Printing Office.Pearson, P. D. (1985). Increasing students’ awareness of sources of information for answeringquestions. American Educational Research Journal, 22, 217-236.Piaget, J. (2001). The psychology of intelligence (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.Plass, J. L., Chun, D. M., Mayer, R. E., & Leutner, D. (1998). Supporting visual and verballearning preferences in a second language multimedia learning environment. Journal of EducationalPsychology, 90, 25-36.Powney, J., & Watts, M. (1987). Interviewing in educational research. London: Routledge & KeganPaul.Read, J. (2004). Research in teaching vocabulary. Annual Review of AppliedLinguistics, 24, 146-161.Rosenshine, B. V. (1987). Explicit teaching. In D. C. Berliner & B. V. Rosenshine(Eds.), Talks to teachers (pp.75-92). New York: Random House.Saadiah, D., & Kaladevi, S. (2009). Error analysis of the written English essays of secondaryschool students in Malaysia: A case study. European Journal of Social Sciences, 8 (3), 483-495.Sanaoui, R. (1995). Adult learners’ approaches to learning vocabulary in second languages. TheModern Language Journal. 79 (1), 15-28.Sedita, J. (2005). Effective vocabulary instruction. Insights on Learning Disabilities, 2 (1),33-45.Segawa, N. (2007). Malaysia's 1996 Education Act: The impact of a multiculturalism-type approach onnational integration. SOJOURN: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia, 22 (1), 30-56.Snow, C. E., Griffin, P., & Burns, M. S. (2005). Knowledge to support the teaching of reading:Preparing teachers for a changing world. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons Inc.Stahl, S. (1999). Vocabulary development. Newton Upper Falls, MA: Brookline Books.Stanovich, K. E. (1992). Speculation on the causes and consequences of individual differences inearly reading acquisition. In P. Gough, L. Ehri, & R. Treiman (Eds.), Reading acquisition.Hillsdale: NJ Laurence Erlbaum.Swain, M. (2000). The output hypothesis and beyond: Mediating acquisition through collaborativedialogue. In J. Lantolf (Eds.), Sociocultural theory and second language learning. Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press.Sweller, J., & Chandler, P. (1994). Why some material is difficult to learn.Cognition and Instruction, 12 (3), 185-233.Sweller, J., Van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Paas, F. (1998). Cognitive architecture and instructionaldesign. Educational Psychology Review, 10, 251-296.Ton, D. J. (2010). Cognitive load theory, educational research, and instructional design: Some foodfor thought. Instructional Science, 38, 105-134.Tudor, J., Penlington, R., & McDowell, L. (2010). Perceptions and their influences on approaches tolearning. Engineering Education, 5 (2), 69-79.Ur, P. (1996). A course in language teaching: Practice and theory. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.Van Merriënboer, J. J. G., & Sweller, J. (2005). Cognitive load theory and complexlearning: Recent developments and future directions. Educational Psychology Review, 17, 147-177.Veeramuthu, V., Wei, H. S., & Tajularipin, S. (2011). The effect of scaffolding technique injournal writing among the second language learners. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 2(4), 934-940.Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.Wallace, M. J. (1997). Action research for language teachers. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.Wilkins, D. A. (1972). Linguistics and language teaching. London: Edward Arnold.Wink, J., & Putney, L. (2002). A vision of Vygotsky. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.Wiseheart, R., Altmann, L., Park, H., & Lomardino, L. (2009). Sentence comprehension in youngadults with developmental dyslexia. Annals of Dyslexia, 59, 151-167.Wojtczak, A. (2002). Glossary of medical education term, Retrieved July 3, 2015, fromhttp://www.iime.org/glossary.htmYip, W. M., & Kwan, C. M. (2006). Online vocabulary games as a tool for teaching and learningEnglish vocabulary. Educational Media International, 43 (3), 233-249.Yuan, K., Steedle, J., Shavelson, R., Alonzo, A., & Oppezo, M. (2006). Working memory, fluidintelligence and science learning. Educational ResearchReview, 1, 83-98.