Using games in teaching english vocabulary to primary school students

Rationale

English has become the global language, playing a crucial role in international communication and connectivity It is used as a mother tongue in some countries and as a second language in others, highlighting its widespread importance As the language of science, technology, and the internet, English enables people worldwide to access information and communicate effectively across cultures Mastering English is increasingly essential, which is why it is now taught in primary schools globally, with children early on gaining experience in the language Encouraging young learners to practice English helps them enjoy learning and build confidence in communicating in this vital language.

Research shows that vocabulary development is crucial for children's overall growth, particularly in reading skills Children with larger vocabularies tend to achieve higher academic success across various subjects (Smith, 1941, as cited in Beck, McKeown, and Kucan) Enhancing children's vocabulary is essential for improving their reading comprehension and academic performance.

2002) In fact, people with larger vocabularies even have higher IQs ( Bell, Lassiter, Matthews and Hutchinson, 2001; Hodapp and Gerken, 1999)!

Vocabulary plays a crucial role in English language teaching, as it enables students to understand others and express their ideas effectively Wilkins (1972) emphasized that “without vocabulary, nothing can be conveyed,” highlighting its essential function alongside grammar Students instinctively recognize the importance of vocabulary, with Schmitt (2010) noting that “learners carry around dictionaries and not grammar books,” indicating its vital role in language learning Teaching vocabulary enhances students' ability to understand and communicate in English, which is fundamental for academic success As Voltaire famously said, “Language is very difficult to put into words,” underscoring the complexity and significance of vocabulary development Building a large vocabulary is especially important for children to comprehend what they hear and read in school and to communicate effectively Research consistently demonstrates strong correlations between extensive vocabulary knowledge and overall academic achievement.

Learning vocabulary through games has gained considerable popularity, as educational games enhance engagement and make language learning more enjoyable Donmus (2010) emphasized that "the value of educational games has been increasing in language education since they help to make language education entertaining" (p 1497) This approach not only motivates learners but also improves vocabulary retention, making gamified learning an effective strategy in language acquisition.

Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhd 77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.77.99.44.45.67.22.55.77.C.37.99.44.45.67.22.55.77t@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn.Stt.010.Mssv.BKD002ac.email.ninhddtt@edu.gmail.com.vn.bkc19134.hmu.edu.vn

Research by Ural (as cited in Donmus, 2010, p.1499) highlights that combining games with education makes learning environments both entertaining and educative, fostering positive attitudes and increased motivation among learners Traditionally, English vocabulary is taught out of context as isolated words, which is criticized for hindering effective learning (Al Neyadi, 2007); however, activities involving thinking about words, like games, enable learners to remember target vocabulary more easily Vocabulary learning is challenging, requiring effort to understand and produce new words, and games help by creating meaningful contexts where words are useful and engaging, making vocabulary acquisition faster and more enjoyable Game-based learning offers learners a non-stressful environment to practice new vocabulary, enhances motivation through friendly competition and cooperation, and improves students' communicative skills by encouraging usage of the target language (Uberman, 1998; Sorayaie-Azar, 2012) Incorporating games introduces real-world context into the classroom, promoting flexible and communicative language use To maximize benefits, selecting appropriate games that suit students’ proficiency levels, cultural backgrounds, and learning needs is crucial Many educators argue that vocabulary games are valuable educational tools, not just fillers, capable of contextualizing word learning and reducing stress, thereby supporting effective language acquisition.

During my two years of teaching at Vinh University Pedagogical Practice School, I observed that students struggle significantly with retaining vocabulary, often unable to memorize or accurately write new words They tend to read words without mastering correct spelling, which hampers their overall language development Additionally, learners face challenges managing the overwhelming amount of information, grammatical structures, and resources, making it difficult for them to find effective strategies for language learning and progress.

3 though Consequently, if the teachers do not teach actively, the better students will develop them on their own and the worse ones will find studying very frustrating

This study, titled “Using Games in Teaching English Vocabulary to Primary School Students,” is driven by several important reasons, including the potential to enhance vocabulary learning through engaging methods The author aims to explore how game-based teaching strategies can improve primary students' English vocabulary skills It is hoped that the findings will provide valuable insights and serve as a useful reference for educators and researchers interested in innovative language teaching techniques Ultimately, this research seeks to contribute to the development of more effective, interactive approaches for teaching English to young learners.

Aims of the study

With the presented rationale, the specific aims of the study, accordingly, are:

1) to find out the real situation of teaching and learning vocabulary at primary school

2) to find the way of learning and teaching vocabulary

3) to propose some suggestions and recommendations to improve learning vocabulary of students at primary school.

Scope of the study

This research examines how games influence vocabulary development among primary school students at Vinh University Pedagogical Practicing Primary School Due to time constraints and limited expertise, the study specifically focuses on using selected games to teach vocabulary to 2nd and 3rd-grade students, as most primary schools begin English instruction at these levels Although some schools start teaching English from 1st grade, this practice is less common The study aims to identify effective game-based strategies to enhance vocabulary learning in early primary grades.

Research questions

In order to serve the aforesaid aims, the research attempts to answer the following questions:

1) What are the current situations of teaching and learning vocabulary for primary students?

2) What extent does the game enhance students’ vocabulary?

Significance of the study

This study provides valuable insights for teachers and students aiming to enhance vocabulary skills It aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of effective vocabulary improvement strategies Additionally, the research highlights the significant role of educational games, enabling teachers and students to utilize game-based strategies appropriately to meet their learning needs.

The study includes five chapters as follows:

Chapter 1 - Introduction - provides the rationale, the aims of the study, the scope of the study, the research questions, the significance of the study, and the organization of the study

Chapter 2 - Theoretical Background - presents the review of previous studies related to the thesis and some concepts as theoretical basis for the study

Chapter 3 - Methodology outlines the research design, including the instruments used for data collection and the procedures for data gathering It details the data analysis methods and research procedures, providing a clear explanation of the research approach This chapter also explains how the thesis hypothesis is interpreted and analyzed, ensuring a coherent understanding of the study's methodology.

Chapter 4 - Findings and Discussions - presents the results and discussions developed after the linguistics figures are analyzed

Chapter 5 concludes the research by summarizing the key findings and main issues addressed, while also acknowledging the study's limitations It offers valuable suggestions for future research to build upon current insights The chapter is followed by references and appendices, providing additional context and supporting materials for the study.

“If language structures make up the skeleton of language, then it is vocabulary that provides the vital organs and the flesh”, (Harmer 1993-153)

This chapter provides a comprehensive literature review of previous studies related to the current research, offering essential theoretical background The study is strategically designed based on the insights and findings from these prior investigations, ensuring a solid foundation for new contributions.

This article highlights the effectiveness of vocabulary games in enhancing students’ vocabulary learning, supported by examples from recent research Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen and Khuat Thi Thu Nga (2013) conducted action research involving their own classes, observing other teachers, and interviewing both teachers and students to assess the impact of games on vocabulary acquisition Their findings indicate that vocabulary games help students improve their language skills by creating an engaging, enjoyable environment for learning, practicing, and reviewing new words The research emphasized understanding students' perceptions and attitudes toward game-based learning, noting that clear instructions and varied game types are crucial for success Additionally, involving experienced teachers, reviewing lesson plans, and conducting questionnaires provided comprehensive insights into effective strategies for implementing vocabulary games The study also found that students tend to remember vocabulary better when they participate in active, gamified activities that combine learning with fun, ultimately fostering a more motivated and effective learning experience.

6 students are demanding a new way of teaching vocabulary, and they themselves are in search of a new way of learning this subject as well

Traditional vocabulary learning methods, such as memorizing long lists, derivations, repetition, translation, and fill-in-the-blank exercises, are often boring for students and do not effectively enhance retention (Riahipour & Saba, 2012) According to Scrivener, relying solely on lists of words and translations does not guarantee that students will remember the target vocabulary Incorporating vocabulary games makes the learning process more engaging and enjoyable, which can significantly improve students’ ability to retain new words more quickly.

Multiple studies highlight the positive impact of digital games and gamified methods on young learners' vocabulary acquisition For instance, a 2011 study found that Iranian children aged six to seven who used a digital game (SHAIEx) demonstrated higher vocabulary scores than those taught through traditional methods, indicating that digital games enhance engagement and motivation in language learning Similarly, Aslanabadi and Rasouli (2013) demonstrated that incorporating online language games in kindergarten classrooms not only makes learning enjoyable but also boosts learners' confidence and motivation, aiding in better vocabulary retention Additionally, Yip and Kwan (as cited in Aghlara & Hadidi-Tamjid, 2011) reported that students using games to learn new words achieved greater success compared to peers who relied solely on conventional teaching methods These findings suggest that integrating educational games into early language instruction can significantly improve vocabulary learning outcomes by capturing children's attention and increasing their motivation.

DeHaan, Reed, and Kuwada (2010) studied how interactivity with a music video game impacts second language vocabulary recall Their research involved dividing participants into two groups: one played an English-language music video game for 20 minutes, while the other watched the game passively on a separate monitor The results indicated that active gameplay significantly improved vocabulary recall compared to passive observation Post-experiment assessments included a vocabulary test, an experience questionnaire, and a two-week follow-up, highlighting the potential benefits of interactive multimedia tools for enhancing language learning.

A study involving seven delayed vocabulary recall tests found that both video game players and watchers remembered vocabulary from the game; however, watchers recalled more than players DeHaan et al (2010) suggested that while engaging, interactive video games containing target language vocabulary might hinder language acquisition because players focus on gameplay and vocabulary simultaneously, which divides their attention and reduces recall compared to watchers Their findings indicate that the interactive nature of games does not necessarily enhance vocabulary retention over non-interactive methods Additionally, Zheng, Young, Brewer, and Wagner (as cited in DeHaan et al., 2010) discovered that using tools to communicate with native speakers within a game-like virtual environment can improve learners’ attitudes and self-efficacy towards their second language, promoting more effective language learning outcomes.

Vocabulary is one of the most important aspects of learning a language

Vocabulary teaching strategies, once overlooked in favor of grammar and language skills, have recently gained increased attention as the significance of vocabulary knowledge is recognized Research has shifted focus toward understanding both the knowledge of these strategies and their practical application This study examines second language vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) and analyzes how frequently second language learners utilize them to enhance their language acquisition.

This chapter explores key theoretical issues in second language vocabulary learning that are of concern to practitioners and researchers Penha (2006) emphasizes the crucial role of vocabulary teaching, noting that effective reading, writing, speaking, listening, and literature-based activities all depend on learners’ vocabulary knowledge Vocabulary building is therefore recognized as a fundamental aspect of second language acquisition, essential for successful language use and communication.

Vocabulary encompasses all the words of a language, including individual words and multi-word phrases or chunks that convey specific meanings It involves not only single lexical items with distinct definitions but also common expressions and phrases that function as single meaningful units Understanding vocabulary is essential for effective communication, as it includes both isolated words and key lexical chunks that help convey ideas clearly and accurately, making language comprehension and usage more proficient.

Vocabulary encompasses more than just knowing word meanings; it includes both oral and print forms, as well as receptive and productive knowledge Oral vocabulary involves words we recognize and use in reading and writing, while receptive vocabulary consists of words we understand when we hear or see them Productive vocabulary pertains to the words we actively use when speaking or writing Typically, receptive vocabulary is larger than productive vocabulary and includes many words we recognize or partially understand, even if we do not fully know their definitions or use them ourselves (Kamil & Hiebert, in press).

Besides, according to Webster’s Dictionary (1993- 327) “Vocabulary is a list or group of words and phrase, usually in alphabetical order”

Vocabulary is a crucial component of language that encompasses all information about meaning and word usage (Harimurti Kridalaksana, 1993) It is one of the essential factors in learning English, alongside sound system, grammar, and culture Vocabulary naturally grows and evolves over time, serving as a fundamental tool for effective communication and knowledge acquisition Ultimately, a person’s vocabulary refers to the set of words they are familiar with in a language, highlighting its importance in language proficiency and learning.

In general, vocabulary is divided into four types: reading vocabulary, listening vocabulary, speaking vocabulary, writing vocabulary

Children typically develop listening and speaking vocabularies well before they begin to build their reading and writing vocabularies, as spoken language provides the foundational skills for written language Each vocabulary type serves specific purposes, but vocabulary development in oral language naturally supports and enhances growth in reading and writing skills This interconnected progression highlights the importance of nurturing speech and listening skills early to facilitate overall language development.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND I Introduction

METHODOLOGY 1 Introduction

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 1 Introduction

CONCLUSION 1 Summary of the key findings

Tiêu đề	Using Games in Teaching English Vocabulary to Primary School Students
Tác giả	Dang Thi Phuong Thao
Người hướng dẫn	Assoc.Prof.Dr.Ngo Dinh Phuong
Trường học	Vinh University
Chuyên ngành	Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Thể loại	Master’s thesis in education
Năm xuất bản	2017
Thành phố	Nghe An

Định dạng
Số trang	72
Dung lượng	2,2 MB