Luận văn factors affecting reading comprehension of english for computer science of the second year students at vinh technical teachers' training university

2, Aims of the study The study aims to examine the factors affecting reading comprehension of English the for Computer Science of the second year students at VITTU.. 4, Scope of the sl

'VIETNAM NATIONAL UXIVERSITY-IIANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Department of POST GRADUATE STUDIES

Dinh Th! THU

FACTORS AFFECTING READING COMPREHENSION OF

ENGLISH FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE OF THE SECOND YEAR STUDENTS AT VINH TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ TRAINING

UNIVERSITY

(Những yếu tố ảnh hướng đến việc đọc hiểu tiếng anh chuyên ngành tin học của sinh viên năm thứ hai ở trường đại học sư phạm kỹ

thuật Vinh)

M.A Minor Programme Thesis

Field: English Teaching Methedolugy Code: 60.14.10

HANOI - 2010

VIETNAM NATIONAL, UXNIVERSITTY-HANOL

UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Department of POST GRADUATE STUDIES

Dinh Th! THU

FACTORS AFFECTING READING COMPRETIENSION OF

ENGLISH FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE OF THE SECOND YEAR STUDENTS AT VINH TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ TRAINING

UNIVERSITY

(Những yéu té anh huéng dén việc doc hiéu tiếng anh chuyên ngành tin hoc cia sinh vién nam thir hai 6 truéng dai học sư phạm kỹ

thuật Vinh)

M.A Minor Programme Thesis

Field: English Teaching Methodology Code: 60.14.10

Supervisor: Dr Duong Thi Nu

HANOI - 2010

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

VITTU: Vinh echnical ‘Teachers’ ‘lraimng University

GF General English

ESP: English for Specific Purposes

es: Computer Science

TT Information Technology

Li: The first language

L2: ‘The second language

PART A: INTRODUCTION

1, Rationale

English learning has been popular in Vietnam over the last few decades specially, learning English has became a burgeoning need when Viclnam fosters its international relations, Everyday an increasmg number of people lean and use English for different purposes

In teaching and Icarning English as a forcign language in Vietnam, English for

Specific Purposes (ESP) has recently received a great deal of attention It has been

introduced in the taining curriculum af almosl every universily in Vietnam

At VITTU, after finishing three semesters of GE, the students of IT department

begin to take 60 ESP periods of C8

Being an RSP teacher of CS, the researcher bras always been aware of the importance

of developing the reading skills for IT students If the students read well, they are able to handle subjects related written materials in English and to work with modern technological

cquipments Bul in feel, despite of Ihe effort of the tzachors and students, the roscarcher finds her students’ reading skills disappoinied, which do not meet the requirements af the college and they have a lot of difficulties in rending English for CS

For all the above reasons, ths researcher would like to find out the factors affecting

reading comprchension of English for CS of the second ycar students at VITTU It is

the research questions, the participants, the data collection method, and the data collection

pro

edure as well as the data analysis, findings and some dis ussion of findings Chapter 4 offers some possible suggestions to improve the current situation of teaching and leaning English for Computer Science at VITTU

The last parl- Conclusion - summarizes the main issues of the study, poinls oul the

lumitations and makes some suggestions for further research.

vil

1.3.2 Language problems 1.4 Surry

11

13

Chapter 2; Investigation into the current situation of teaching and learning English

for Computer Science at Vinh Technical Teachers’ training University ( VI'TITU )

3.1 Inlroduction of the VITTU

2.2 The teachers and their teaching methods

2.3 The students and their background

3.4 The teaching and loarnity English al VITTU

2.5 The present ESP syllabus and materials

Chapter 3: ‘The study

3.1 Rescarch questions

3.3 PartoipaHfS

3.3 The data collection method

3.4 The data collection procedure

3.5 Data analysÌS

3.5.1 Factors affecting reading English for Computer Science at VITTU

3.5.1.1 The participants’ background 3.5.1.2, Students? attitudes towards ESP reading

3.5.1.3 The reading materials 3.5.1.4 The teacl

4.1.1 Inereasing students’ reading interest and motivation

4.1.2 Applying different approaches to teach vocabulary

4.2 Training sludents io become efficient readars

4.2.1 Training studonts with differont reading stralagics

4.3.3 Encouraging students to develop extensive reading habits

4.2.3 Giving homework and checking the previous lessons frequently

29

PART A: INTRODUCTION

1, Rationale

English learning has been popular in Vietnam over the last few decades specially, learning English has became a burgeoning need when Viclnam fosters its international relations, Everyday an increasmg number of people lean and use English for different purposes

In teaching and Icarning English as a forcign language in Vietnam, English for

Specific Purposes (ESP) has recently received a great deal of attention It has been

introduced in the taining curriculum af almosl every universily in Vietnam

At VITTU, after finishing three semesters of GE, the students of IT department

begin to take 60 ESP periods of C8

Being an RSP teacher of CS, the researcher bras always been aware of the importance

of developing the reading skills for IT students If the students read well, they are able to handle subjects related written materials in English and to work with modern technological

cquipments Bul in feel, despite of Ihe effort of the tzachors and students, the roscarcher finds her students’ reading skills disappoinied, which do not meet the requirements af the college and they have a lot of difficulties in rending English for CS

For all the above reasons, ths researcher would like to find out the factors affecting

reading comprchension of English for CS of the second ycar students at VITTU It is

hoped that the study will make some suggestions for teachers and students to improve the quality of teaching and learning English for CS al VTTTU

2, Aims of the study

The study aims to examine the factors affecting reading comprehension of English

the

for Computer Science of the second year students at VITTU To be more spec

objectives of the study are

- To examine the students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

+ To investigate the cwrsnt situation of teaching and learning English for CS at VITTU in order to find out the thetors affecting, reading comprehension of English for CS

of the second year students at VI'TTU

+ To investigate the loarnars? needs in terms of roading matcrisls and methodology

- To give some recommendations to improve the quality of teachmg and leaming English for CS at VITTU

It is hoped that the findings ftom this study will be of some benefits to teachers and students at VTTTU

3 Method of the study

In order to achieve the aims mentioned above, the methodologies adopted for this study are a survey questionnaire with 100 students which is wed as the main method to collect the needed data ftom the learners and informal interviews and discussions with the teachers ax well as (he researcher’s observation during the course

4, Scope of the sluily

The study mainly focuses on the investigaton of factors most affecting reading comprehension of Lnglish for Computer Science of the second year students at VIT'TU,

and then suggests some Lochniques lo help them improve their ESP reading,

5, Organization of the thesis

This minor thesis consists of three parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion, The first part concludes the rationale for the study, the aims, the methods, and the seope of the study as well as the organization of the thesis

The second part consists of four chapters, Chapler 1 discusses the theoreticat background to the nature of reading and reading comprehension and reading in FSP teaching and learning, Chapter 2 investigates the current situation of teaching and learning

English for CS at VI'LI'U Chapter 3 deals with the research methodology which covers

PART A: INTRODUCTION

1, Rationale

English learning has been popular in Vietnam over the last few decades specially, learning English has became a burgeoning need when Viclnam fosters its international relations, Everyday an increasmg number of people lean and use English for different purposes

In teaching and Icarning English as a forcign language in Vietnam, English for

Specific Purposes (ESP) has recently received a great deal of attention It has been

introduced in the taining curriculum af almosl every universily in Vietnam

At VITTU, after finishing three semesters of GE, the students of IT department

begin to take 60 ESP periods of C8

Being an RSP teacher of CS, the researcher bras always been aware of the importance

of developing the reading skills for IT students If the students read well, they are able to handle subjects related written materials in English and to work with modern technological

cquipments Bul in feel, despite of Ihe effort of the tzachors and students, the roscarcher finds her students’ reading skills disappoinied, which do not meet the requirements af the college and they have a lot of difficulties in rending English for CS

For all the above reasons, ths researcher would like to find out the factors affecting

reading comprchension of English for CS of the second ycar students at VITTU It is

vil

1.3.2 Language problems 1.4 Surry

11

13

Chapter 2; Investigation into the current situation of teaching and learning English

for Computer Science at Vinh Technical Teachers’ training University ( VI'TITU )

3.1 Inlroduction of the VITTU

2.2 The teachers and their teaching methods

2.3 The students and their background

3.4 The teaching and loarnity English al VITTU

2.5 The present ESP syllabus and materials

Chapter 3: ‘The study

3.1 Rescarch questions

3.3 PartoipaHfS

3.3 The data collection method

3.4 The data collection procedure

3.5 Data analysÌS

3.5.1 Factors affecting reading English for Computer Science at VITTU

3.5.1.1 The participants’ background 3.5.1.2, Students? attitudes towards ESP reading

3.5.1.3 The reading materials 3.5.1.4 The teacl

4.1.1 Inereasing students’ reading interest and motivation

4.1.2 Applying different approaches to teach vocabulary

4.2 Training sludents io become efficient readars

4.2.1 Training studonts with differont reading stralagics

4.3.3 Encouraging students to develop extensive reading habits

4.2.3 Giving homework and checking the previous lessons frequently

29

vị

TABLE OF CONT

Declaration i Acknowledgements wl

` iii List of abbreviations Liv List Gf ñgures and tablSS à nọ nga eonŸ Table of contents vi Part A: Introduction 1

1 Rationale "

2 Aims of the study 2

3 Methods of the study 2

4, Scope of the study esses 2

S Organization of the thesis 2 Part B: Development 4 Chapter 1: Theoretical background 4 1.1 The nature of reading 4 1.1.1 Definitions of reading and reading comprehension A 1.1.2 Classificaion ofrending according to purpose oỂreading, Š 1.1.3 Reading in General English and in ESP 6 1.2 ESP reading 7 1.2.1 Delinitions oFE8P T 1.3.7 Reading skills in ESP 8 1.2.3 Factors in teaching and loaning ESP reading 8 1.2.3.1 ESP teachers and their roles 8 1.2.3.2 ESP students and their roles 9 1.2.3.3 ESP materials and their roles 10 1.3 ESP reading difficultics for foreign language lcarnels TŨ 1.3.1 Reading skills problems

vị

TABLE OF CONT

Declaration i Acknowledgements wl

` iii List of abbreviations Liv List Gf ñgures and tablSS à nọ nga eonŸ Table of contents vi Part A: Introduction 1

1 Rationale "

2 Aims of the study 2

3 Methods of the study 2

4, Scope of the study esses 2

S Organization of the thesis 2 Part B: Development 4 Chapter 1: Theoretical background 4 1.1 The nature of reading 4 1.1.1 Definitions of reading and reading comprehension A 1.1.2 Classificaion ofrending according to purpose oỂreading, Š 1.1.3 Reading in General English and in ESP 6 1.2 ESP reading 7 1.2.1 Delinitions oFE8P T 1.3.7 Reading skills in ESP 8 1.2.3 Factors in teaching and loaning ESP reading 8 1.2.3.1 ESP teachers and their roles 8 1.2.3.2 ESP students and their roles 9 1.2.3.3 ESP materials and their roles 10 1.3 ESP reading difficultics for foreign language lcarnels TŨ 1.3.1 Reading skills problems

hoped that the study will make some suggestions for teachers and students to improve the quality of teaching and learning English for CS al VTTTU

2, Aims of the study

The study aims to examine the factors affecting reading comprehension of English

the

for Computer Science of the second year students at VITTU To be more spec

objectives of the study are

- To examine the students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

+ To investigate the cwrsnt situation of teaching and learning English for CS at VITTU in order to find out the thetors affecting, reading comprehension of English for CS

of the second year students at VI'TTU

+ To investigate the loarnars? needs in terms of roading matcrisls and methodology

- To give some recommendations to improve the quality of teachmg and leaming English for CS at VITTU

It is hoped that the findings ftom this study will be of some benefits to teachers and students at VTTTU

3 Method of the study

In order to achieve the aims mentioned above, the methodologies adopted for this study are a survey questionnaire with 100 students which is wed as the main method to collect the needed data ftom the learners and informal interviews and discussions with the teachers ax well as (he researcher’s observation during the course

4, Scope of the sluily

The study mainly focuses on the investigaton of factors most affecting reading comprehension of Lnglish for Computer Science of the second year students at VIT'TU,

and then suggests some Lochniques lo help them improve their ESP reading,

5, Organization of the thesis

This minor thesis consists of three parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion, The first part concludes the rationale for the study, the aims, the methods, and the seope of the study as well as the organization of the thesis

The second part consists of four chapters, Chapler 1 discusses the theoreticat background to the nature of reading and reading comprehension and reading in FSP teaching and learning, Chapter 2 investigates the current situation of teaching and learning

English for CS at VI'LI'U Chapter 3 deals with the research methodology which covers

vil

1.3.2 Language problems 1.4 Surry

11

13

Chapter 2; Investigation into the current situation of teaching and learning English

for Computer Science at Vinh Technical Teachers’ training University ( VI'TITU )

3.1 Inlroduction of the VITTU

2.2 The teachers and their teaching methods

2.3 The students and their background

3.4 The teaching and loarnity English al VITTU

2.5 The present ESP syllabus and materials

Chapter 3: ‘The study

3.1 Rescarch questions

3.3 PartoipaHfS

3.3 The data collection method

3.4 The data collection procedure

3.5 Data analysÌS

3.5.1 Factors affecting reading English for Computer Science at VITTU

3.5.1.1 The participants’ background 3.5.1.2, Students? attitudes towards ESP reading

3.5.1.3 The reading materials 3.5.1.4 The teacl

4.1.1 Inereasing students’ reading interest and motivation

4.1.2 Applying different approaches to teach vocabulary

4.2 Training sludents io become efficient readars

4.2.1 Training studonts with differont reading stralagics

4.3.3 Encouraging students to develop extensive reading habits

4.2.3 Giving homework and checking the previous lessons frequently

29

PART A: INTRODUCTION

1, Rationale

English learning has been popular in Vietnam over the last few decades specially, learning English has became a burgeoning need when Viclnam fosters its international relations, Everyday an increasmg number of people lean and use English for different purposes

In teaching and Icarning English as a forcign language in Vietnam, English for

Specific Purposes (ESP) has recently received a great deal of attention It has been

introduced in the taining curriculum af almosl every universily in Vietnam

At VITTU, after finishing three semesters of GE, the students of IT department

begin to take 60 ESP periods of C8

Being an RSP teacher of CS, the researcher bras always been aware of the importance

of developing the reading skills for IT students If the students read well, they are able to handle subjects related written materials in English and to work with modern technological

cquipments Bul in feel, despite of Ihe effort of the tzachors and students, the roscarcher finds her students’ reading skills disappoinied, which do not meet the requirements af the college and they have a lot of difficulties in rending English for CS

For all the above reasons, ths researcher would like to find out the factors affecting

reading comprchension of English for CS of the second ycar students at VITTU It is

the research questions, the participants, the data collection method, and the data collection

pro

edure as well as the data analysis, findings and some dis ussion of findings Chapter 4 offers some possible suggestions to improve the current situation of teaching and leaning English for Computer Science at VITTU

The last parl- Conclusion - summarizes the main issues of the study, poinls oul the

lumitations and makes some suggestions for further research.

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure: Students’ background

Table 1: Students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

Table 2: Students’ preparation lessons hefare going to class

Table 3: Students’ frequency of reading supplementary materials

Table 4: Students’ evaluation of the texis in the current ESP reading material

Table 5: The causes of the students’ difficulties in reading English for CS

Table 6: Activities the teachers ask the students to do at pre’ post-reading stages

hoped that the study will make some suggestions for teachers and students to improve the quality of teaching and learning English for CS al VTTTU

2, Aims of the study

The study aims to examine the factors affecting reading comprehension of English

the

for Computer Science of the second year students at VITTU To be more spec

objectives of the study are

- To examine the students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

+ To investigate the cwrsnt situation of teaching and learning English for CS at VITTU in order to find out the thetors affecting, reading comprehension of English for CS

of the second year students at VI'TTU

+ To investigate the loarnars? needs in terms of roading matcrisls and methodology

- To give some recommendations to improve the quality of teachmg and leaming English for CS at VITTU

It is hoped that the findings ftom this study will be of some benefits to teachers and students at VTTTU

3 Method of the study

In order to achieve the aims mentioned above, the methodologies adopted for this study are a survey questionnaire with 100 students which is wed as the main method to collect the needed data ftom the learners and informal interviews and discussions with the teachers ax well as (he researcher’s observation during the course

4, Scope of the sluily

The study mainly focuses on the investigaton of factors most affecting reading comprehension of Lnglish for Computer Science of the second year students at VIT'TU,

and then suggests some Lochniques lo help them improve their ESP reading,

5, Organization of the thesis

This minor thesis consists of three parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion, The first part concludes the rationale for the study, the aims, the methods, and the seope of the study as well as the organization of the thesis

The second part consists of four chapters, Chapler 1 discusses the theoreticat background to the nature of reading and reading comprehension and reading in FSP teaching and learning, Chapter 2 investigates the current situation of teaching and learning

English for CS at VI'LI'U Chapter 3 deals with the research methodology which covers

hoped that the study will make some suggestions for teachers and students to improve the quality of teaching and learning English for CS al VTTTU

2, Aims of the study

The study aims to examine the factors affecting reading comprehension of English

the

for Computer Science of the second year students at VITTU To be more spec

objectives of the study are

- To examine the students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

+ To investigate the cwrsnt situation of teaching and learning English for CS at VITTU in order to find out the thetors affecting, reading comprehension of English for CS

of the second year students at VI'TTU

+ To investigate the loarnars? needs in terms of roading matcrisls and methodology

- To give some recommendations to improve the quality of teachmg and leaming English for CS at VITTU

It is hoped that the findings ftom this study will be of some benefits to teachers and students at VTTTU

3 Method of the study

In order to achieve the aims mentioned above, the methodologies adopted for this study are a survey questionnaire with 100 students which is wed as the main method to collect the needed data ftom the learners and informal interviews and discussions with the teachers ax well as (he researcher’s observation during the course

4, Scope of the sluily

The study mainly focuses on the investigaton of factors most affecting reading comprehension of Lnglish for Computer Science of the second year students at VIT'TU,

and then suggests some Lochniques lo help them improve their ESP reading,

5, Organization of the thesis

This minor thesis consists of three parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion, The first part concludes the rationale for the study, the aims, the methods, and the seope of the study as well as the organization of the thesis

The second part consists of four chapters, Chapler 1 discusses the theoreticat background to the nature of reading and reading comprehension and reading in FSP teaching and learning, Chapter 2 investigates the current situation of teaching and learning

English for CS at VI'LI'U Chapter 3 deals with the research methodology which covers

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure: Students’ background

Table 1: Students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

Table 2: Students’ preparation lessons hefare going to class

Table 3: Students’ frequency of reading supplementary materials

Table 4: Students’ evaluation of the texis in the current ESP reading material

Table 5: The causes of the students’ difficulties in reading English for CS

Table 6: Activities the teachers ask the students to do at pre’ post-reading stages

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure: Students’ background

Table 1: Students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

Table 2: Students’ preparation lessons hefare going to class

Table 3: Students’ frequency of reading supplementary materials

Table 4: Students’ evaluation of the texis in the current ESP reading material

Table 5: The causes of the students’ difficulties in reading English for CS

Table 6: Activities the teachers ask the students to do at pre’ post-reading stages

vị

TABLE OF CONT

Declaration i Acknowledgements wl

` iii List of abbreviations Liv List Gf ñgures and tablSS à nọ nga eonŸ Table of contents vi Part A: Introduction 1

1 Rationale "

2 Aims of the study 2

3 Methods of the study 2

4, Scope of the study esses 2

S Organization of the thesis 2 Part B: Development 4 Chapter 1: Theoretical background 4 1.1 The nature of reading 4 1.1.1 Definitions of reading and reading comprehension A 1.1.2 Classificaion ofrending according to purpose oỂreading, Š 1.1.3 Reading in General English and in ESP 6 1.2 ESP reading 7 1.2.1 Delinitions oFE8P T 1.3.7 Reading skills in ESP 8 1.2.3 Factors in teaching and loaning ESP reading 8 1.2.3.1 ESP teachers and their roles 8 1.2.3.2 ESP students and their roles 9 1.2.3.3 ESP materials and their roles 10 1.3 ESP reading difficultics for foreign language lcarnels TŨ 1.3.1 Reading skills problems

the research questions, the participants, the data collection method, and the data collection

pro

edure as well as the data analysis, findings and some dis ussion of findings Chapter 4 offers some possible suggestions to improve the current situation of teaching and leaning English for Computer Science at VITTU

The last parl- Conclusion - summarizes the main issues of the study, poinls oul the

lumitations and makes some suggestions for further research.

PART A: INTRODUCTION

1, Rationale

English learning has been popular in Vietnam over the last few decades specially, learning English has became a burgeoning need when Viclnam fosters its international relations, Everyday an increasmg number of people lean and use English for different purposes

In teaching and Icarning English as a forcign language in Vietnam, English for

Specific Purposes (ESP) has recently received a great deal of attention It has been

introduced in the taining curriculum af almosl every universily in Vietnam

At VITTU, after finishing three semesters of GE, the students of IT department

begin to take 60 ESP periods of C8

Being an RSP teacher of CS, the researcher bras always been aware of the importance

of developing the reading skills for IT students If the students read well, they are able to handle subjects related written materials in English and to work with modern technological

cquipments Bul in feel, despite of Ihe effort of the tzachors and students, the roscarcher finds her students’ reading skills disappoinied, which do not meet the requirements af the college and they have a lot of difficulties in rending English for CS

For all the above reasons, ths researcher would like to find out the factors affecting

reading comprchension of English for CS of the second ycar students at VITTU It is

the research questions, the participants, the data collection method, and the data collection

pro

edure as well as the data analysis, findings and some dis ussion of findings Chapter 4 offers some possible suggestions to improve the current situation of teaching and leaning English for Computer Science at VITTU

The last parl- Conclusion - summarizes the main issues of the study, poinls oul the

lumitations and makes some suggestions for further research.

vil

1.3.2 Language problems 1.4 Surry

11

13

Chapter 2; Investigation into the current situation of teaching and learning English

for Computer Science at Vinh Technical Teachers’ training University ( VI'TITU )

3.1 Inlroduction of the VITTU

2.2 The teachers and their teaching methods

2.3 The students and their background

3.4 The teaching and loarnity English al VITTU

2.5 The present ESP syllabus and materials

Chapter 3: ‘The study

3.1 Rescarch questions

3.3 PartoipaHfS

3.3 The data collection method

3.4 The data collection procedure

3.5 Data analysÌS

3.5.1 Factors affecting reading English for Computer Science at VITTU

3.5.1.1 The participants’ background 3.5.1.2, Students? attitudes towards ESP reading

3.5.1.3 The reading materials 3.5.1.4 The teacl

4.1.1 Inereasing students’ reading interest and motivation

4.1.2 Applying different approaches to teach vocabulary

4.2 Training sludents io become efficient readars

4.2.1 Training studonts with differont reading stralagics

4.3.3 Encouraging students to develop extensive reading habits

4.2.3 Giving homework and checking the previous lessons frequently

29

4.3 Improving teachers’ background knowledge about CS and teaching methodology

1 Conclusions of the study ch“ HH ghe cuŠ6

2 Limitations of the study and Suggestions for Further study 37

References

vị

TABLE OF CONT

Declaration i Acknowledgements wl

` iii List of abbreviations Liv List Gf ñgures and tablSS à nọ nga eonŸ Table of contents vi Part A: Introduction 1

1 Rationale "

2 Aims of the study 2

3 Methods of the study 2

4, Scope of the study esses 2

S Organization of the thesis 2 Part B: Development 4 Chapter 1: Theoretical background 4 1.1 The nature of reading 4 1.1.1 Definitions of reading and reading comprehension A 1.1.2 Classificaion ofrending according to purpose oỂreading, Š 1.1.3 Reading in General English and in ESP 6 1.2 ESP reading 7 1.2.1 Delinitions oFE8P T 1.3.7 Reading skills in ESP 8 1.2.3 Factors in teaching and loaning ESP reading 8 1.2.3.1 ESP teachers and their roles 8 1.2.3.2 ESP students and their roles 9 1.2.3.3 ESP materials and their roles 10 1.3 ESP reading difficultics for foreign language lcarnels TŨ 1.3.1 Reading skills problems

hoped that the study will make some suggestions for teachers and students to improve the quality of teaching and learning English for CS al VTTTU

2, Aims of the study

The study aims to examine the factors affecting reading comprehension of English

the

for Computer Science of the second year students at VITTU To be more spec

objectives of the study are

- To examine the students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

+ To investigate the cwrsnt situation of teaching and learning English for CS at VITTU in order to find out the thetors affecting, reading comprehension of English for CS

of the second year students at VI'TTU

+ To investigate the loarnars? needs in terms of roading matcrisls and methodology

- To give some recommendations to improve the quality of teachmg and leaming English for CS at VITTU

It is hoped that the findings ftom this study will be of some benefits to teachers and students at VTTTU

3 Method of the study

In order to achieve the aims mentioned above, the methodologies adopted for this study are a survey questionnaire with 100 students which is wed as the main method to collect the needed data ftom the learners and informal interviews and discussions with the teachers ax well as (he researcher’s observation during the course

4, Scope of the sluily

The study mainly focuses on the investigaton of factors most affecting reading comprehension of Lnglish for Computer Science of the second year students at VIT'TU,

and then suggests some Lochniques lo help them improve their ESP reading,

5, Organization of the thesis

This minor thesis consists of three parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion, The first part concludes the rationale for the study, the aims, the methods, and the seope of the study as well as the organization of the thesis

The second part consists of four chapters, Chapler 1 discusses the theoreticat background to the nature of reading and reading comprehension and reading in FSP teaching and learning, Chapter 2 investigates the current situation of teaching and learning

English for CS at VI'LI'U Chapter 3 deals with the research methodology which covers

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure: Students’ background

Table 1: Students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

Table 2: Students’ preparation lessons hefare going to class

Table 3: Students’ frequency of reading supplementary materials

Table 4: Students’ evaluation of the texis in the current ESP reading material

Table 5: The causes of the students’ difficulties in reading English for CS

Table 6: Activities the teachers ask the students to do at pre’ post-reading stages

hoped that the study will make some suggestions for teachers and students to improve the quality of teaching and learning English for CS al VTTTU

2, Aims of the study

The study aims to examine the factors affecting reading comprehension of English

the

for Computer Science of the second year students at VITTU To be more spec

objectives of the study are

- To examine the students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

+ To investigate the cwrsnt situation of teaching and learning English for CS at VITTU in order to find out the thetors affecting, reading comprehension of English for CS

of the second year students at VI'TTU

+ To investigate the loarnars? needs in terms of roading matcrisls and methodology

- To give some recommendations to improve the quality of teachmg and leaming English for CS at VITTU

It is hoped that the findings ftom this study will be of some benefits to teachers and students at VTTTU

3 Method of the study

In order to achieve the aims mentioned above, the methodologies adopted for this study are a survey questionnaire with 100 students which is wed as the main method to collect the needed data ftom the learners and informal interviews and discussions with the teachers ax well as (he researcher’s observation during the course

4, Scope of the sluily

The study mainly focuses on the investigaton of factors most affecting reading comprehension of Lnglish for Computer Science of the second year students at VIT'TU,

and then suggests some Lochniques lo help them improve their ESP reading,

5, Organization of the thesis

This minor thesis consists of three parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion, The first part concludes the rationale for the study, the aims, the methods, and the seope of the study as well as the organization of the thesis

The second part consists of four chapters, Chapler 1 discusses the theoreticat background to the nature of reading and reading comprehension and reading in FSP teaching and learning, Chapter 2 investigates the current situation of teaching and learning

English for CS at VI'LI'U Chapter 3 deals with the research methodology which covers

vil

1.3.2 Language problems 1.4 Surry

11

13

Chapter 2; Investigation into the current situation of teaching and learning English

for Computer Science at Vinh Technical Teachers’ training University ( VI'TITU )

3.1 Inlroduction of the VITTU

2.2 The teachers and their teaching methods

2.3 The students and their background

3.4 The teaching and loarnity English al VITTU

2.5 The present ESP syllabus and materials

Chapter 3: ‘The study

3.1 Rescarch questions

3.3 PartoipaHfS

3.3 The data collection method

3.4 The data collection procedure

3.5 Data analysÌS

3.5.1 Factors affecting reading English for Computer Science at VITTU

3.5.1.1 The participants’ background 3.5.1.2, Students? attitudes towards ESP reading

3.5.1.3 The reading materials 3.5.1.4 The teacl

4.1.1 Inereasing students’ reading interest and motivation

4.1.2 Applying different approaches to teach vocabulary

4.2 Training sludents io become efficient readars

4.2.1 Training studonts with differont reading stralagics

4.3.3 Encouraging students to develop extensive reading habits

4.2.3 Giving homework and checking the previous lessons frequently

29

PART A: INTRODUCTION

1, Rationale

English learning has been popular in Vietnam over the last few decades specially, learning English has became a burgeoning need when Viclnam fosters its international relations, Everyday an increasmg number of people lean and use English for different purposes

In teaching and Icarning English as a forcign language in Vietnam, English for

Specific Purposes (ESP) has recently received a great deal of attention It has been

introduced in the taining curriculum af almosl every universily in Vietnam

At VITTU, after finishing three semesters of GE, the students of IT department

begin to take 60 ESP periods of C8

Being an RSP teacher of CS, the researcher bras always been aware of the importance

of developing the reading skills for IT students If the students read well, they are able to handle subjects related written materials in English and to work with modern technological

cquipments Bul in feel, despite of Ihe effort of the tzachors and students, the roscarcher finds her students’ reading skills disappoinied, which do not meet the requirements af the college and they have a lot of difficulties in rending English for CS

For all the above reasons, ths researcher would like to find out the factors affecting

reading comprchension of English for CS of the second ycar students at VITTU It is

the research questions, the participants, the data collection method, and the data collection

pro

edure as well as the data analysis, findings and some dis ussion of findings Chapter 4 offers some possible suggestions to improve the current situation of teaching and leaning English for Computer Science at VITTU

The last parl- Conclusion - summarizes the main issues of the study, poinls oul the

lumitations and makes some suggestions for further research.

vị

TABLE OF CONT

Declaration i Acknowledgements wl

` iii List of abbreviations Liv List Gf ñgures and tablSS à nọ nga eonŸ Table of contents vi Part A: Introduction 1

1 Rationale "

2 Aims of the study 2

3 Methods of the study 2

4, Scope of the study esses 2

S Organization of the thesis 2 Part B: Development 4 Chapter 1: Theoretical background 4 1.1 The nature of reading 4 1.1.1 Definitions of reading and reading comprehension A 1.1.2 Classificaion ofrending according to purpose oỂreading, Š 1.1.3 Reading in General English and in ESP 6 1.2 ESP reading 7 1.2.1 Delinitions oFE8P T 1.3.7 Reading skills in ESP 8 1.2.3 Factors in teaching and loaning ESP reading 8 1.2.3.1 ESP teachers and their roles 8 1.2.3.2 ESP students and their roles 9 1.2.3.3 ESP materials and their roles 10 1.3 ESP reading difficultics for foreign language lcarnels TŨ 1.3.1 Reading skills problems

vil

1.3.2 Language problems 1.4 Surry

11

13

Chapter 2; Investigation into the current situation of teaching and learning English

for Computer Science at Vinh Technical Teachers’ training University ( VI'TITU )

3.1 Inlroduction of the VITTU

2.2 The teachers and their teaching methods

2.3 The students and their background

3.4 The teaching and loarnity English al VITTU

2.5 The present ESP syllabus and materials

Chapter 3: ‘The study

3.1 Rescarch questions

3.3 PartoipaHfS

3.3 The data collection method

3.4 The data collection procedure

3.5 Data analysÌS

3.5.1 Factors affecting reading English for Computer Science at VITTU

3.5.1.1 The participants’ background 3.5.1.2, Students? attitudes towards ESP reading

3.5.1.3 The reading materials 3.5.1.4 The teacl

4.1.1 Inereasing students’ reading interest and motivation

4.1.2 Applying different approaches to teach vocabulary

4.2 Training sludents io become efficient readars

4.2.1 Training studonts with differont reading stralagics

4.3.3 Encouraging students to develop extensive reading habits

4.2.3 Giving homework and checking the previous lessons frequently

29

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure: Students’ background

Table 1: Students’ attitudes towards ESP reading

Table 2: Students’ preparation lessons hefare going to class

Table 3: Students’ frequency of reading supplementary materials

Table 4: Students’ evaluation of the texis in the current ESP reading material

Table 5: The causes of the students’ difficulties in reading English for CS

Table 6: Activities the teachers ask the students to do at pre’ post-reading stages