Difficulties Confronted by Students in Task-based Learning
Question 6: What are the difficulties students are con/ron ted with in task-based learning? (You can choose more than one answer.)
Students feel confused about what is the correct meaning of the new Wllrd. Students find thatais time-tonsuming.
Students findagel on their nelVes.
Figure 6:Difficulties Confronted by Students in Task-based Learning
Figure 6 highlights the challenges students encounter in task-based learning, with 58% of participants acknowledging confusion regarding the meanings of new words Additionally, 28% found the process time-consuming, while 14% reported feeling frustrated To address these issues, the researcher followed up with an open question aimed at identifying potential solutions.
How to Make Task-based Learning Effective 31
Question 7: What makes task-based learning effective? (You can choose more than one answer.)
Ex1ens~~readin!~elpssluderlslearnnewwords\\it~t~eir 0111\ ratesand"n~cOIlndence.61 J
Figure 7: How to Make Task-based Learning Effective
To enhance the effectiveness of task-based learning, it is essential for teachers to select tasks that align with learners' abilities, as 31% of respondents highlighted this as crucial Additionally, 38% emphasized the importance of extensive reading, allowing students to learn new vocabulary at their own pace and with confidence Frequent engagement with tasks is also beneficial, according to 17% of participants Conversely, regular tests and the use of Facebook were deemed ineffective by most, with only 7% favoring these methods Overall, a focus on appropriate task selection and consistent vocabulary learning through tasks and extensive reading is key to successful task-based learning.
Discussio n 33
Most Important Findings and Discussion 33
5.1.1 Students' Using Context in Learning Vocabulary
Students in the Foreign Languages Department of HUFLIT employ various methods for vocabulary acquisition, with 23% using English-English dictionaries, 31% guessing meanings from reading texts, and 15% engaging in extensive reading Notably, 76% of participants indicated that they rely on contextual guessing to understand new words, highlighting that learning vocabulary through context is the most effective technique for mastering new terms and their applications.
5.1.2 Students' Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Learner AutonomyThe statistics in Figure 4 displays students' evaluation of the effectiveness of learner autonomy Over a half of the participants (57%) rated that learner autonomy helped learners retain the meanings of the words effectively 35% of the participants thought that learner autonomy was as effective as teachers' explanation Only 8% thought that it did not help much in students' learning vocabulary According to the above statistics, we are assured that learner autonomy is highly appreciated by most students Therefore, learner autonomy should be adopted by university students.
5.1.3 The Role of Task-based Learning in Vocabulary Acquisition
In contemporary language education, university instructors frequently implement task-based learning, which students find beneficial for understanding the contextual usage of new vocabulary, with 49% acknowledging its advantages Additionally, 21% of participants noted that this approach aids learners in using acquired words correctly Therefore, it is evident that task-based learning is an effective method for enhancing English vocabulary skills.
5.1.4 Difficulties Faced by Students in Task-based Learning
A survey revealed that 58% of participants find task-based learning beneficial for vocabulary acquisition, yet many also face challenges with this method Specifically, 58% expressed difficulty in understanding new word meanings during task-based activities, while 28% considered the approach to be time-consuming These challenges may stem from tasks that are either misaligned with students' proficiency levels or poorly designed.
5.1.5 How to Make Task-based Learning Effective
A survey revealed that 17% of participants believe frequent exposure to task-based learning helps students become accustomed to tasks, minimizing difficulties Additionally, 31% agreed that selecting appropriate tasks aligned with learners' abilities enhances learning effectiveness Furthermore, 38% of respondents identified extensive reading as an effective method for vocabulary acquisition.
Language learners value appropriate tasks that facilitate autonomous vocabulary acquisition Furthermore, extensive reading is an effective strategy for enhancing students' vocabulary knowledge.
5.2 Recommendations on How to Make Use of Learner Autonomy and
Task-based Learning to Enhance Vocabulary Learning
Below is the procedure of a task-based teaching and learning, proposed by Willis (1996) (cited in Seven, 2013, Task-Based Language Teaching)
Introduction to topic and task: Teacher explores the topic with the class, highlights useful words and phrases, helps students understand task instructions and prepare.
Task: Students do the task, in pairs or small groups Teacher monitors.
Planning: Students prepare to report to the whole c1ass( orally or in writing) howthey did the task, what they decided or discovered.
Report: Some groups present their reports to the class, or exchange written reports and compare results (Students receive feedback on their level of success on completing the task).
Analysis: Students examine and discuss specific features of the text or transcript of the recording.
Practice: Teacher conducts practice or new words phrases and patterns occurring in the data, either during or after the analysis (Willis 1996: 38)
Following the important findings discussed above, we have some suggestions to language teachers and students who make use of task-based learning.
• Students should prepare their reading comprehension lessons at home so that they can know what they are going to learn and practice in class.
Reading the text before class allows students to identify new vocabulary and deduce their meanings from context, which enhances their comprehension of the teacher's explanations during lessons.
To enhance vocabulary acquisition, students should be assigned additional tasks both in class and at home, allowing them to encounter new words in diverse contexts This approach provides ample opportunities for learners to engage with language actively, fostering better retention and understanding.
• Students should be encouraged to do extensive reading at home so that they can expand their vocabulary stock and improve their reading skill.
Tasks given to students must align with their language proficiency and interests, ensuring that they do not contain unfamiliar vocabulary or structures Additionally, the topics should engage students, fostering a more effective and enjoyable learning experience.
Regularly assigned tasks help students become accustomed to their responsibilities, fostering familiarity with the process As students grow comfortable with this approach, they are less likely to feel bored when faced with additional assignments.
Books on a variety of fields should be suggested by teachers so that students can expand their knowledge of the vocabulary as well as their general knowledge.
As Brajcich (2000, cited in Al Shawwa, 2010) suggested other valuable and helpful ways for students to learn vocabulary.
1 Encourage students to be independent and to work collectively The less students depend on their teacher, the more autonomy is being developed.
2 Progress gradually from interdependence to independence Give the students time to adjust to new learning strategies and do not expect too much too soon.
3 Give the students projects to do outside the classroom Such projects may increase motivation.
4 Have the students design lessons or materials to be used in class.
5 Instruct students on how to use the university's resource centers.
6 Emphasize the importance of peer-editing, corrections, and follow-up questioning in the classroom.
7 Encourage the students to use only English in class.
8 Stress fluency rather than accuracy.
5.3 Suggested Books for Learning Vocabulary:
1 Theme-based Vocabulary 2: a topical dictionary for secondary students featuring essential themes, an indispensable tool for writing and comprehension byBetty Kirkpatrick
2 Just Vocabulary Pre-intermediate by Jeremy Harmer, Ana AcevedoCarol Lethaby and Cheryl Pelteret
3 Vocabulary in Use Elementary by Michael McCarthy Felicity O'Dell
CHAPTER SIX CONCLUSIONS AND RECCOMENDATIONS
This study explores the impact of teacher and learner autonomy, along with task-based learning, on English vocabulary acquisition Participants reported utilizing various techniques for learning new vocabulary, highlighting that learner autonomy and task-based approaches are essential for expanding their vocabulary However, challenges arise as students sometimes struggle with contextual meanings and find these methods time-consuming To address these issues, the study concludes with recommendations aimed at improving autonomy and task-based learning, ultimately enhancing vocabulary acquisition for students.
Given the limited time and the researcher's experience, this study should not be considered comprehensive Furthermore, the survey included only 101 participants, which may affect the reliability of the findings.
This study serves as a foundational exploration of the effectiveness of task-based learning in relation to both teacher and learner autonomy, despite its limitations Additionally, the Literature Review provided enhances the understanding of this educational approach.
41 in our research paper may be used as guidance for students in English Teaching
Methodology (ETM) and novice teachers to be familiar with the notions of teacher-learner autonomy and task-based learning.
This paper aims to equip fellow researchers with essential information and resources, enabling them to conduct more comprehensive studies on the same topic, considering the outlined limitations and implications.
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This part presents the questionnaire designed on Google Drive.
Created by Kim Phuong Lam
How do you learn vocabulary?
By using an English-Vietnamese dictionary
By using an English-English dictionary
By taking notes from teache~s explanation
By learning from reading texts
In what way do you think learning vocabulary is most effective?
By using an English.Vietnamese dictionary
By using an English-English dictionary
By taking notes from teache~s exjilanation
By learning from rea