Research on how to enrich english vocabulary among the english majors at faculty of Foreign Languages of Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City :Graduation Thesis - Faculty of Foreign Languages

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

------

GRADUATION THESIS

RESEARCH ON HOW TO ENRICH ENGLISH

VOCABULARY AMONG THE ENGLISH

MAJORS AT FACULTY OF FOREIGN

LANGUAGES OF INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY

OF HO CHI MINH CITY

STUDENT NAME : NGUYỄN NGỌC TRÚC

ID NUMBER : 17018381

CLASS CODE : DHAV13A

COHORT : 2017-2021

SUPERVISOR : HOÀNG THỊ PHONG LINH, M.A.

Ho Chi Minh City, 06/2021

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

------

GRADUATION THESIS

RESEARCH ON HOW TO ENRICH ENGLISH

VOCABULARY AMONG THE ENGLISH MAJORS

AT FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES OF

INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY

OF HO CHI MINH CITY

STUDENT NAME : NGUYỄN NGỌC TRÚC

ID NUMBER : 17018381

CLASS CODE : DHAV13A

COHORT : 2017-2021

SUPERVISOR : HOÀNG THỊ PHONG LINH, M.A.

Ho Chi Minh City, 06/2021

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE

INDUSTRIAL UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY

FACULTY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

------

Student name : NGUYEN NGOC TRUC

ID Number : 17018381

Class Code : DHAV13A

Cohort : 2017-2021

Supervisor Name : HOANG THI PHONG LINH, 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 : June 6th, 2021

Signed : ………………………

Word count : 8147 words

ABSTRACT

Vocabulary expansion is essential for people aiming to learn a foreign language, especially

English majors. While the researchers have conducted many investigations on the important

roles of vocabulary in English, the challenges as well as learning methods have not been

investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the important roles of

vocabulary expansion in improving English skills, the challenges and approaches to learn

English vocabulary among English majors at Faculty of Foreign Languages of Industrial

University of Ho Chi Minh City. The researcher used quantitative research to collect data. The

questionnaires were distributed to 300 participants both offline and online through Google

Form. The results revealed that one third of the FFL English majors are not aware of the

crucial roles of vocabulary expansion in improving English skills. Besides, failure to define

multiple meanings of words, and lack of motivation are common obstacles that the English

majors often face. Also, the results show that the English majors learn more passive

vocabulary than active vocabulary. They used two main methods including listening to music

and watching movies to expand passive vocabulary. In addition, using mobile apps and

engaging in conversations were used to enrich active vocabulary by most the English majors.

The above-mentioned aspects of enriching vocabulary in this study may be of importance in

explaining the reasons why English majors at FFL of IUH should be aware of in learning

English. The researcher also offers some recommendations and implications to help the

English majors overcome difficulties they may face in expanding English vocabulary.

Key words: Enrich, English skills, important roles, vocabulary.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

During the implementation of this study, I received a lot of enthusiastic support that helped

me overcome all difficulties and finish this meaningful time.

Firstly, I would like to show my appreciation to the Board of Industrial University of Ho Chi

Minh City and the Faculty of Foreign Languages for creating favourable conditions and

opportunities for me to complete my graduation thesis.

Secondly, I would like to thank my supervisor Ms. Hoang Thi Phong Linh for her

enthusiasm, dedication, and profound knowledge. She provided encouragement and was

always willing to give helpful direction and assist at any time she could throughout this

study. Her expertise and attention to detail kept my work on track from my first research

questions to the final draft of this study. I feel very fortunate to have been guided by her.

Without her wholehearted support and mentoring, this thesis would not have been

accomplished.

Thirdly, I sincerely thank all the students at FFL of IUH who took their valuable time to give

their opinions and complete my questionnaire. I really appreciate their willingness to assist

with this study.

Besides, I would like to express my gratitude to my team members – Ms. Tran Xuan Quynh

– and – Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Nhan – for the stimulating discussions, for the time we worked

together before deadlines, and for the memories we have had in the last four years. Thank

you for always sharing your feelings and supporting me during my study.

Moreover, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for my family for all

the unconditional support in this intense academic year.

Last but not least, my thanks go to all the people who have supported me to complete the

research directly or indirectly.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

1.1 Rationale of the research ...............................................................................................2

1.2 Research objectives........................................................................................................2

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

1.4 Scope of the research .....................................................................................................3

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

2.1 Definitions of key terms.................................................................................................5

2.1.1 Definition of vocabulary ...........................................................................................5

2.1.2 Types of vocabulary ..................................................................................................5

2.1.2.1 Passive vocabulary ............................................................................................5

2.1.2.2 Active vocabulary..............................................................................................6

2.2 Results of previous studies.............................................................................................6

2.2.1 The importance of enriching English vocabulary.....................................................6

2.2.1.1 Expressing ideas through verbal and written communication...........................7

2.2.1.2 Strengthening English reading and listening comprehension............................7

2.2.1.3 Enhancing translation and interpretation skills .................................................8

2.2.2 Difficulties in learning English vocabulary..............................................................9

2.2.2.1 From vocabulary itself.......................................................................................9

2.2.2.2 From learners themselves..................................................................................9

2.2.3 Approaches of enriching English vocabulary.........................................................11

2.2.3.1 Methods to learn passive vocabulary ..............................................................11

2.2.3.2 Methods to learn active vocabulary.................................................................12

2.3 Summary of some previous studies ............................................................................13

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN...................................................................................14

3.1 Research site .................................................................................................................15

3.2 Participants...................................................................................................................15

3.3 Research methodology and research methods...........................................................15

3.3.1 Research methodology............................................................................................15

3.3.2 Research methods ...................................................................................................15

3.4 Procedure ......................................................................................................................16

3.5 Data analysis.................................................................................................................17

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................18

4.1 General situation of learning English among the English majors at FFL of IUH .19

4.2 The roles of expanding English vocabulary in improving English skills................22

4.3 Difficulties in learning English vocabulary faced by the English majors at FFL of

IUH ......................................................................................................................................25

4.3.1 Difficulties that come from the vocabulary itself....................................................25

4.3.2 Difficulties that come from the learners themselves...............................................26

4.4 Approaches to learn English vocabulary ...................................................................27

4.4.1 Types of English vocabulary that most the English majors learn ..........................27

4.4.2 Approaches to learn passive vocabulary ................................................................28

4.4.3 Approaches to learn active vocabulary ..................................................................29

4.4.4 Self-assessment of the effectiveness of methods that the English majors have been

applying ...........................................................................................................................30

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................31

5.1 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................32

5.1.1 The roles of expanding English vocabulary in improving English skills among the

English majors at FFL of IUH.........................................................................................32

5.1.2 Difficulties in learning English vocabulary among the English majors at FFL of

IUH ..................................................................................................................................32

5.1.3 Approaches of enriching English vocabulary among the English majors at FFL of

IUH ..................................................................................................................................32

5.2 Recommendations ........................................................................................................32