An investigation into the effects of applying the storytelling method in teaching vocabulary to beginners at A Chau English Center :Graduation Thesis - Faculty of Foreign Languages

GRADUATION THESIS

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF APPLYING THE

STORYTELLING METHOD IN TEACHING VOCABULARY TO

BEGINNERS AT A CHAU ENGLISH CENTER. STUDENT NAME: NGUYEN THI HANG NI

ID NUMBER: 17076631

CLASS CODE: DHAV13E

COHORT: 2017-2021

SUPERVISOR NAME: TRAN THI XUAN THUY, M.A.

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

------

HCMC, 6/2021

GRADUATION THESIS

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF APPLYING THE

STORYTELLING METHOD IN TEACHING VOCABULARY TO

BEGINNERS AT A CHAU ENGLISH CENTER. STUDENT NAME: NGUYEN THI HANG NI

ID NUMBER: 17076631

CLASS CODE: DHAV13E

COHORT: 2017-2021

SUPERVISOR NAME: TRAN THI XUAN THUY, M.A.

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

------

HCMC, 6/2021

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

------ Student Name: NGUYEN THI HANG NI

ID Number: 17076631

Class Code: DHAV13E

Cohort: 2017-2021

Supervisor Name: TRAN THI XUAN THUY, M.A. Student’s declaration: I declare that this graduation report is entirely my own work and does not

involve in plagiarism or collusion. It also has not been accepted as part of a submission to

another purpose else where. I accept heavy penalty for any cheating or plagiarism. Date submitted: 20/06/2021

Signed: Nguyen Thi Hang Ni

Word count: 10719 words.

ABSTRACT

Vocabulary is regarded as one of the most important aspects of language learning for someone

who wishes to learn a foreign language because it has a direct impact on four skills. As a result, teaching vocabulary is an essential part of teaching language, especially to beginners. Teachers, on the other hand, are having difficulty coming up with a creative way to get the best results. The

objective of this study was to investigate the effects of using the storytelling method for teaching

vocabulary to beginners at A Chau English Center and how teachers could apply this method in

the lessons. This was a study combining both qualitative and quantitative research. A

questionnaire asked about the students’ opinions on the effects of vocabulary teaching using the

storytelling method and a list of interview questions asked teachers about how they apply this

method effectively in the classroom as an instrument. The result showed that teaching vocabulary

through storytelling had a wide range of effects on students. Storytelling made students

understand the meaning of the word and remember it for longer. It created a pleasurable

environment in which students got motivated and enthusiastic about studying vocabulary. Furthermore, they could develop their speaking-listening skills, and their ability to communicate

and interact with others. By putting themselves in the shoes of the characters in the story, students learned how to sympathize, share, and help others. Besides, there were 5 factors: the

kind of stories, the incorporation of performance skills, the frequency of using the storytelling

method, the use of teaching aids and the procedures of applying this method, which teachers

needed to pay attention to in order to use the storytelling method effectively for their lessons. Key words: Beginners, storytelling, vocabulary teaching.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My graduation thesis presented a new challenge in my life, one that provided me with

new and valuable knowledge. At first, I thought it would be impossible to finish, but I received a

lot of helpful advice and encouragement during the process, which gave me the confidence to

overcome all difficulties and complete my graduation thesis. Firstly, I would like to express my thanks to the management board of Industrial

University of HCM city and the Faculty of Foreign Language for creating the best conditions and

opportunities for me to complete my graduation thesis. Secondly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to Ms. Tran Thi

Xuan Thuy, my supervisor. During the period of my thesis, she gave me enthusiastic and

valuable helps, supports, instructions, advice and encouragement. Moreover, she spent a lot of

time on correcting my drafts and giving useful comments. Her encouragement and comments had

significantly enriched and improved my work. Without her help, my graduation thesis might not

be completed. Thirdly, I sincerely thank to Ms. Trang, Mr. Duy, Ms. Hong, Ms. My and Ms. Tien who

spent their precious time for me to interview. They also gave clear and useful answers on their

teaching techniques. Furthermore, they gave me opportunities to come their classes and deliver

the questionnaire. Moreover, I want to thank all enthusiastic, friendly and lovely learners at A Chau English

Center who help me collect reliable and valid data for my graduation thesis. Last but not least, I am grateful to my group members_ Nguyen Thi Thai Huyen, Che Thi

Ngoc Bich who often shared my feelings, gave me timely advice and motivation during the

period of my thesis. All in all, I really thank to all people helping me to finish this graduation thesis.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION................................................................................................. 1

1.1. Rationale of the study......................................................................................................2

1.2. Research objectives..............................................................................................................3

1.3. Research questions...............................................................................................................3

1.4. Scope of the study................................................................................................................ 3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................................................... 4

2.1. Definition of key terms........................................................................................................ 5

2.1.1. Teaching vocabulary................................................................................................ 5

2.1.1.1. Definition of vocabulary........................................................................................ 5

2.1.1.2. Importance of vocabulary in learning language..................................................6

2.1.1.3. Principles of teaching vocabulary....................................................................8

2.1.2. Storytelling Method..................................................................................................9

2.1.2.1. Definition of storytelling...................................................................................9

2.1.2.2. Characteristics of storytelling............................................................................. 10

2.1.2.3. Types of storytelling............................................................................................. 11

2.1.2.4. Benefits of storytelling..........................................................................................12

2.2. Results of previous studies............................................................................................ 13

2.2.1. The effects of the storytelling method in teaching vocabulary...........................13

2.2.2. How to apply the storytelling method in the classroom......................................15

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN.........................................................................................18

3.1. Research site.......................................................................................................................19

3.2. Participants........................................................................................................................ 20

3.3. Research methodology and research methods................................................................ 20

3.3.1. Research methodology................................................................................................20

3.3.2. Research methods....................................................................................................... 21

3.4. Procedures.......................................................................................................................... 21

3.5. Data analysis.......................................................................................................................22

Chapter 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION..............................................................................23

4.1. The effects of the storytelling method in teaching vocabulary to beginners at A Chau

English Center...........................................................................................................................24

4.1.1. Findings........................................................................................................................24

4.1.2. Discussion.....................................................................................................................33

4.2. How to teachers apply the storytelling method effectively in the classroom................34

Chapter 5: CONCLUSION......................................................................................................... 38

5.1. Conclusion.......................................................................................................................... 39

5.1.1. The effects of storytelling in teaching vocabulary to beginners at A Chau English

Center….................................................................................................................................39

5.1.2. How to teachers apply the storytelling method effectively in the classroom.........39

5.2. Recommendations..............................................................................................................40

5.2.1 Recommendations for teachers...................................................................................40

5.2.2. Recommendations for students..................................................................................41

5.3. Limitations of the study.....................................................................................................41

5.4. Further studies................................................................................................................... 41

REFERENCES............................................................................................................................. 43

APPENDICES.............................................................................................................................. 48

Submitted by: NGUYEN THI HANG NI ID number: 17076631

Supervisor: TRAN THI XUAN THUY, M.A. Page: 1

CHAPTER 1:

INTRODUCTION