INTRODUCTION
Rationale
In today's globalized world, language serves as a crucial means of connecting individuals across diverse countries With various languages spoken worldwide, English has emerged as a universal language, widely adopted in many nations In Vietnam, the significance of English is increasingly recognized, leading to its incorporation as a mandatory subject in the curricula of most schools.
In learning English, vocabulary is an important role “it is one element that links skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing all together “(Nguyen & Khuat,
To effectively learn and speak English, a solid understanding of vocabulary is essential, encompassing not just words but also their meanings, pronunciations, contexts, cultural significance, and conjugations This foundational knowledge is crucial for enhancing language skills, particularly in speaking However, many young students struggle with vocabulary acquisition, often finding it challenging to remember new words To overcome this, they need effective strategies for gathering, learning, retaining, and applying vocabulary A common issue contributing to vocabulary gaps is the misinterpretation of word contexts, which can hinder speaking proficiency and lead to poor communication skills.
A significant issue affecting English grammar is often rooted in vocabulary, which is crucial for effective communication Mastery of vocabulary is essential, as a limited word bank hinders one's ability to speak clearly and confidently.
Vocabulary is essential for second language learners, as a limited vocabulary can hinder effective communication Schmitt (2000) highlights the significance of "lexical knowledge" in language learning This study aims to explore the impact of vocabulary on the speaking skills of English-majored freshmen at Tay Do University.
“An Investigation of the Effect of Vocabulary on speaking skill in English- majored freshmen at Tay Do University”.
Aims and significance of the research
This study aims to explore the impact of vocabulary on the speaking skills of English-majored freshmen at Tay Do University It investigates the significance of vocabulary in enhancing students' speaking abilities and seeks to identify effective strategies for improving both their vocabulary and speaking skills.
This study examines the speaking skills of students at Tay Do University, highlighting vocabulary as the most influential factor in effective communication It emphasizes the significant impact of vocabulary on speaking abilities and suggests that developing effective vocabulary learning strategies can enhance students' speaking skills.
This research paper offers significant benefits for students by enhancing their vocabulary, which in turn improves their speaking skills and encourages more active participation in conversations It emphasizes the importance of vocabulary as a fundamental aspect of speaking English, motivating students to prioritize vocabulary study.
Organization of the research
The research consists of five chapters
Chapter 3: Research aim – Research question-Hypothesis
LITERATURE REVIEW
The definitions of the vocabulary
A vocabulary consists of the familiar words that individuals use in their language, and it typically develops with age It plays a crucial role in effective communication and knowledge acquisition One of the significant challenges faced when learning a second language is the need to build an extensive vocabulary.
Vocabulary encompasses all the words that a person knows and uses, but understanding a word involves more than just recognition or usage Word knowledge includes various aspects that contribute to a person's overall vocabulary, which can refer to either an individual's or a larger group's collection of words While many associate vocabulary with the sheer number of words one knows, it also reflects the complexities and nuances inherent in the English language.
Vocabulary refers to the essential words required for effective communication, encompassing both expressive vocabulary used in speaking and receptive vocabulary utilized in listening (Neuman & Dwyer, 2009) According to Hornby (1995), vocabulary encompasses the entire collection of words in a language, often presented as a list with their meanings Ur (1998) further emphasizes that vocabulary can be broadly defined as the words individuals must know for effective communication.
Vocabulary encompasses not only single words but also multi-word expressions like "post office" and "mother-in-law," which convey a single concept To address this complexity, it's beneficial to refer to these as "vocabulary items." Furthermore, Burns (1972) describes vocabulary as the collection of words utilized by an individual, group, or profession, highlighting its significance in communication.
Vocabulary is essential to language and plays a crucial role in effective language learning (1998) According to Diamond and Gutlohn (2006), vocabulary encompasses the knowledge of words and their meanings Thus, it is evident that a robust vocabulary is vital for communicating ideas and conveying meaning, highlighting the importance of vocabulary acquisition in language education.
The importance of the vocabulary
Vocabulary is central to English language teaching because without sufficient vocabulary students cannot understand others or express their own ideas Wilkins
In 1972, it was emphasized that while grammar is important for conveying meaning, vocabulary is essential for communication This aligns with my experiences in learning different languages, where I found that having key words and expressions allowed me to communicate effectively, even in the absence of grammatical structure Lewis (1993) supported this notion by stating that "Lexis is the core or heart of language." For students, developing fluency and expression in English hinges on acquiring productive vocabulary knowledge and creating personal vocabulary learning strategies They often intuitively recognize the critical role vocabulary plays in their language acquisition, as noted by Schmitt (2010).
Teaching vocabulary is essential for English language learners as it enhances their understanding and communication skills As Voltaire noted, expressing language can be challenging, a sentiment that many English students would agree with However, a strong vocabulary foundation is crucial for overcoming these difficulties.
Mastering English requires a strong vocabulary, which is essential across various subjects, as highlighted by researchers like Laugher and Nation (1999) and others They emphasize that vocabulary acquisition is crucial for effective second language use and is integral to creating coherent spoken and written texts In both ESL and EFL contexts, vocabulary plays a vital role in developing all language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing (Nation, 2011) A robust vocabulary is necessary for successful communication; without it, individuals struggle to utilize learned structures effectively This proficiency is critical not only for academic success in subjects like social studies, mathematics, and science but also for clear self-expression and effective communication.
A linguistic vocabulary is synonymous with a thinking vocabulary, enabling precise and concise thoughts While vocabulary development primarily occurs during childhood, it tends to plateau after formal education To maintain and expand your vocabulary, it is beneficial to engage in activities such as reading, playing word games, or setting a daily goal to learn a new word.
Kinds of vocabulary
Experts categorize vocabulary into two main types: active and passive According to Harmer (1991), active vocabulary consists of words that students have learned and are expected to use, while passive vocabulary includes words that students can recognize but may not be able to pronounce Additionally, Haycraft, as cited by Hatch and Brown (1995), refers to these categories as receptive vocabulary and productive vocabulary.
Some of ways to learn vocabulary
Receptive vocabulary refers to the words that learners can recognize and understand in context, particularly during reading, but are unable to produce in speaking or writing (Stuart Webb, 2009) In contrast, productive vocabulary encompasses words that learners not only comprehend and can pronounce correctly but also utilize effectively in both speaking and writing This type of vocabulary requires the skills associated with receptive vocabulary, along with the ability to actively express thoughts at the appropriate moments (Stuart Webb, 2005).
2.4 Some ways to learn vocabulary
Learning the English language can be challenging, but a helpful strategy is to focus on homophones—words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings For instance, "come here" and "I can hear the birds" are pronounced identically Understanding these different meanings can make vocabulary building easier Here are some effective methods to enhance your vocabulary.
Engaging in group discussions is an effective way to enhance understanding of various viewpoints Each participant should adopt a perspective, even if it differs from their own, to foster debate and ensure their ideas are communicated clearly Active listening is crucial; it not only benefits classroom interactions but also enriches group study sessions To practice active listening, focus intently on the speaker, avoiding distractions and fidgeting Pay close attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues, and consider paraphrasing their points to deepen your comprehension of their thoughts.
Crabbedness is a timeless board game that allows players to enhance their English vocabulary by forming words with random lettered tiles This engaging game is perfect for learning with friends and also offers a Scrabble Junior version designed for beginners.
Scrabble challenges you to really think in English as you try to come up with different words using your set of letters
Enhance your English skills by purchasing the Scrabble board game and inviting your classmates for a fun and educational experience Alternatively, you can enjoy Scrabble online on platforms like Facebook, where it's known as Words with Friends.
Listening to your favorite songs can enhance your English learning experience by boosting your mood and stimulating your mind Research shows that music aids second language learners in acquiring grammar, vocabulary, and spelling skills Songs often feature a wealth of useful vocabulary, phrases, and expressions that reflect contemporary language and colloquialisms, making them relevant for learners By choosing the right music, you can engage with casual, practical language that is easy to incorporate into everyday conversation Additionally, the catchy nature of music helps reinforce your memory of new English words, making it an effective tool for language acquisition.
To effectively memorize new English words, consistently using them is crucial Maintain a notebook to record new vocabulary, and practice using each word in three distinct sentences Writing these sentences down and speaking them aloud reinforces memory retention, while exploring various contexts for each word enhances your vocabulary Remember, small, consistent efforts can significantly contribute to achieving your language goals.
To enhance your English learning, join forums that align with your interests, such as photography, movies, travel, or cooking Engaging with like-minded individuals in discussions about your passions will boost your motivation and encourage active participation in the language.
If you feel nervous about people identifying you, make an anonymous profile Then read through the forum to see what people are discussing Once you feel confident,
Engage actively in the forum by responding to questions from fellow members and initiating your own inquiries to foster meaningful conversations with the community.
To effectively learn English, immerse yourself in the language by engaging with English-speaking media, such as radio stations, movies, and conversations Pay attention to everyday dialogues in various settings like restaurants and shops to enhance your listening skills Additionally, practice pronouncing words in context to boost your speaking abilities Thanks to modern technology and apps, you can immerse yourself in English learning virtually anywhere.
Enhancing your reading skills can significantly improve your speaking abilities as well By reading English texts aloud or silently, you build confidence in your language skills Begin practicing at home to overcome any nervousness before progressing to reading in front of an audience and seeking their feedback Additionally, immersing yourself in captivating stories makes the process enjoyable and rewarding.
E-readers and tablets make learning English even easier because if you don’t know a word, you can simply click on it to read its definition On the Kindle you can add new words you’ve learnt to its Vocabulary Builder feature, which is stored on the device Others recommend listening to and reading text at the same time as an excellent way to enhance the learning process
2.5 Definitions of the speaking skill
Speaking is a crucial language skill that enables learners to communicate effectively with others It allows individuals to express their opinions, intentions, hopes, and viewpoints, facilitating the achievement of specific goals.
In addition, people who know a language are referred to as ‘speakers’ of that
Speaking is the most commonly utilized language skill across various contexts, often used twice as much as reading and writing (Rivers, 1981) It is an interactive process that involves constructing meaning through the production, reception, and processing of information (Brown, 1994; Burns & Joyce, 1997).
The form and meaning of speech are influenced by context, including participants, their experiences, the environment, and communication purposes While often spontaneous and evolving, speech can also follow predictable patterns in specific situations, such as declining an invitation or requesting time off work For instance, in a typical interaction with a salesperson, the sequence begins with the question "May I help you?" followed by a statement of need, a response, an expression of appreciation, acknowledgment, and a farewell exchange.
The importance of the speaking
The English language has emerged as a global lingua franca, widely spoken and understood even in non-native countries It plays a crucial role across various sectors such as medicine, engineering, education, business, and technology Today, software development, internet communication, and access to diverse online resources predominantly occur in English, highlighting its significance in our interconnected world.
English is the predominant language for research, making it widely accessible and influential globally Consequently, it is increasingly taught and learned as a second language around the world.
The importance of Speaking Skills is very necessary because language is a tool for communication People communicate with others, to express our ideas, and to know others’ ideas as well
Effective communication relies on speech, making speaking skills crucial for language learners Without the ability to speak, a language becomes just a written script Language is utilized in various community contexts, including workplaces where professionals, such as researchers in medical or language laboratories, must communicate clearly and effectively Any breakdown in communication can lead to misunderstandings and issues.
The relationship between vocabulary and speaking skill
Vocabulary is closely linked to speaking ability, serving as a foundational element for effective communication Mastery of vocabulary is crucial for students to develop proficiency in language skills, as it directly impacts spelling, pronunciation, and structure A robust vocabulary is essential for success in second language acquisition; without it, applying language structures and functions becomes challenging As vocabulary expands, the process of learning new words becomes easier, despite the initial difficulty of mastering the first ten words (Nun, 1991, p.117).
Mastering vocabulary is crucial for enhancing speaking abilities, as it enables students to infer the meanings of unknown words from context (Nunan, p 122) Limited vocabulary hampers effective communication, making it difficult to understand media such as news broadcasts (Kufaisi, 1988, p 42) Consequently, a strong vocabulary foundation is essential for English language learners to express their ideas clearly This underscores the significant correlation between vocabulary mastery and speaking proficiency.
Summary of the literature review
This chapter explores the impact of vocabulary on speaking skills and effective vocabulary learning methods It emphasizes the significance of speaking and its connection to vocabulary acquisition, highlighting how vocabulary plays a crucial role in enhancing speaking abilities.
RESEARCH AIMS- QUESTIONS-HYPOTHESIS
Research aims
This research investigates the impact of vocabulary on the speaking skills of English-majored freshmen at Tay Do University The primary goal is to highlight the significance of vocabulary in enhancing their speaking abilities.
Research questions
This research is required to answer the following research questions:
1 Does vocabulary affect the Speaking skill of English-majored freshmen?
2 How can the student improve vocabulary on the speaking skill?
Hypothesis
Students majoring in English at Tay Do University find speaking to be their most challenging skill, despite their coursework in this area They continue to encounter difficulties in English speaking Based on a literature review and research questions, it is hypothesized that the speaking abilities of English-majored freshmen will improve and develop through the positive influence of vocabulary enhancement.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
This research investigates the impact of vocabulary on the speaking skills of English freshmen and explores methods to enhance their vocabulary Utilizing a questionnaire, data will be collected from selected students to analyze how vocabulary influences their speaking abilities The findings aim to highlight the benefits of a robust vocabulary and identify effective learning strategies for students.
Research participants
This study focuses on freshmen majoring in English who are enrolled in the same class, English 12, comprising students from diverse rural and urban backgrounds All participants are native Vietnamese speakers learning English as a foreign language To gather insights into the challenges they encounter in speaking skills and the impact of vocabulary, the students will complete a questionnaire.
Instrument
The questionnaire serves as a vital tool in this research, gathering participants' insights on the impact and advantages of vocabulary on speaking skills The opinions shared by students are crucial for understanding their perspectives, making the questionnaire an essential instrument in the research process.
The questionnaire includes 6 groups of questions and 25 statements and it is classified into two following groups:
This article provides a comprehensive overview of various aspects related to students' speaking skills It begins by summarizing the backgrounds of the students, followed by an exploration of their attitudes toward speaking The discussion then highlights the challenges students encounter when speaking, emphasizing the significant role vocabulary plays in their communication abilities Furthermore, it examines the positive impact that a rich vocabulary has on enhancing speaking skills, demonstrating how vocabulary acquisition can lead to improved confidence and proficiency in verbal expression.
Procedure
Step 1: from the 1 st week to 4 th week
- Designing the framework of the research
Step 2: from the 5 th week to the 7 th week
- Asking the teacher for the permission of delivering questionnaire
- Delivering the questionnaire to the student
- Collecting the data from questionnaire
Step 3: from the 8 th week to the 12 th week
- Analyzing the collected data from questionnaire
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Speaking is crucial for language acquisition, yet English majors often encounter challenges in this area One effective strategy to enhance their speaking skills is through vocabulary development This research highlights the significant impact that vocabulary has on the speaking abilities of freshmen majoring in English.
In Chapter 2, students can expand their vocabulary by learning new words while reviewing familiar ones This chapter also covers pronunciation, cultural context, antonyms, and synonyms, enhancing their overall language skills Consequently, mastering vocabulary serves as an effective strategy for improving speaking abilities.
Expanding vocabulary in English is essential for students as it enhances their general knowledge and contributes to effective speaking skills A rich vocabulary allows learners to gain insights into various fields, including culture, society, and pronunciation, equipping them with the necessary information to articulate their ideas clearly and confidently.
Students can enhance their academic speaking skills by effectively organizing their ideas using English vocabulary This research aims to help English majors at Tay Do University understand the beneficial impact of vocabulary on their speaking abilities.
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My name is Nguyen Thi Cam Tien and I am currently a senior majoring in English
I am very grateful to you for spending your valuable time helping me Now I am carrying out a research entitled “An Investigation of the Effect of Vocabulary on
The study focuses on the speaking skills of English-majored freshmen at Tay Do University A questionnaire has been designed to gather essential information, and your thoughtful responses are crucial for the research Thank you for taking the time to complete the questions; your input is greatly appreciated.
Please read the following questions and circle the appropriate answer for each question Give specific answers if needed
1 How long have you studied English? … years
2 Where do you from? a Urban area/city b Rural area/ country side
3 Which subject did you learn when you were in high school? a Listening b Speaking c Reading d Writing
4 Which subject do you like best? a Listening b Speaking c Reading d Writing
5 What do you think about speaking? a Very important b Important c Normal d Not normal
6 What do you think about your speaking skill? a Very good b Quite good c Average d Bad e Very bad
This below table is about your difficulties in speaking English
Please read the following statements and mark ( ) in suitable column to express your opinion
7 Learning English speaking subject is not easy for you
8 You have faced difficulties when learning speaking skill
9 You do not have enough to express your ideas, thoughts and emotions
10 You also meet difficulties in choosing appropriate words in particular contexts
11 You forget some words you have learned because you do not review old words regularly
12.You usually feel nervous when you faced a new topic
13 With poor background knowledge, you cannot build good ideas
14 Your English speaking is influenced by Vietnamese literature style
15 You speak a lot of sentences which are redundant and unnecessary in the communication
16 You do not know how to distinct between topic sentence and supporting ideas
This table is about the positive effects of vocabulary on speaking ability
17 You learn to speak when you observe thoroughly what is already speaking
18 Vocabulary provides you the texts related to topics you will speak
19 Vocabulary is a chance for you to speak
20 Adding music is a method to increase vocabulary efficiently in order to support your speaking
21 You can understand many unfamiliar terms in some situations which help you imagine what you should mention in the speaking tasks.