Using quizlet in improving learning English vocabulary of students in Thai Nguyen University of economics and business administration

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

NGUYEN THI HANH HONG

USING QUIZLET IN IMPROVING LEARNING

ENGLISH VOCABULARY OF STUDENTS IN THAI

NGUYEN UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

M.A THESIS

Field: English Linguistics

Code: 8220201

THAI NGUYEN – 2021

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

NGUYEN THI HANH HONG

USING QUIZLET IN IMPROVING LEARNING

ENGLISH VOCABULARY OF STUDENTS IN THAI

NGUYEN UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

M.A THESIS

(APPLICATION ORIENTATION)

Field: English Linguistics

Code: 8220201

Supervisor: Nguyen Trong Du, Ph.D

THAI NGUYEN – 2021

ĐẠI HỌC THÁI NGUYÊN

TRƯỜNG NGOẠI NGỮ

NGUYỄN THỊ HẠNH HỒNG

ÁP DỤNG PHẦN MỀM QUIZLET TRONG CẢI THIỆN

VIỆC HỌC TỪ VỰNG TIẾNG ANH CỦA SINH VIÊN

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC KINH TẾ VÀ QUẢN TRỊ

KINH DOANH, ĐH THÁI NGUYÊN

LUẬN VĂN THẠC SĨ

(Định hướng ứng dụng)

Ngành: Ngôn ngữ Anh

Mã số: 8220201

Cán bộ hướng dẫn: TS. Nguyễn Trọng Du

THÁI NGUYÊN – 2021

i

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis represents my own work for the Degree of

Master in English Linguistics at Thai Nguyen University, and that it has not been

previously submitted to this university or any other institution in application for

admission to a degree, diploma or other qualifications.

Thai Nguyen, 2021

Approved by supervisor Student

Nguyen Trong Du, Ph.D Nguyen Thi Hanh Hong

ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my deep gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Nguyen Trong

Du for his endless guidance and valuable support throughout every step in my

research.

I wish to thank all the staff members of the Faculty of Post Graduate Studies,

School of Foreign Languages, Thai Nguyen University, for providing me the best

environment to fulfill my thesis.

My sincere gratitude also goes to my colleagues at Thai Nguyen University

of Economics and Business Administration (TUEBA). The supports that they gave

me truly help with my progress and completion of the research.

I would also like to express my special gratefulness to my family who offered

me their love, care, support and encouragement so that I could accomplish my study.

Last but not least, I would like to express appreciation to my TUEBA students

who enthusiastically participated in the research. Without them, this research could

not have been accomplished.

Thai Nguyen, 2021

iii

ABSTRACT

The research was conducted in a university of economics and administration

with non-English majored students to investigate the effects of Quizlet use in

facilitating students’ vocabulary learning and promoting learners’ autonomy. The

research followed the experimental research framework with the participation of 60

EFL sophomore students, studying in the same English class at a university in Thai

Nguyen. The research was conducted within ten weeks which were divided into two

phases. In the first phase which lasted for five weeks, students did not receive any

treatment and were let study the target vocabulary in their own ways. In the second

phase, Quizlet was introduced as a tool to facilitate vocabulary learning and promote

students’ autonomy. Data were collected through two main instruments including the

pre-test and post-test, and a questionnaire. Pre-tests and post-tests were delivered

before and after each phase, designed to examine students’ results of vocabulary

learning process under the normal learning condition and after Quizlet treatment. The

analysis of the data showed that the application of Quizlet was beneficial to students.

It made vocabulary learning more effective, increased vocabulary retention, and

made the learning more motivating to students. Also, it was a useful method to

promote students’ autonomy. Therefore, it was suggested that Quizlet should be

introduced in EFL classes.

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION.......................................................................................................i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.....................................................................................ii

ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................iii

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

1.1 Rationale ..............................................................................................................1

1.2. Aims of the study and the research questions....................................................3

1.3. Scope of the study ...............................................................................................3

1.4. Significance of the study.....................................................................................4

1.5. Design of the study..............................................................................................4

1.6. Summary of Chapter 1 ........................................................................................5

CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................5

2.1. Vocabulary and Vocabulary Teaching................................................................6

2.1.1. The Role of Vocabulary in Second Language Acquisition...............................6

2.1.2. Vocabulary aspects ..........................................................................................7

2.1.3. Teaching vocabulary........................................................................................9

2.2. Learners’ autonomy ..........................................................................................15

2.3. Technology in vocabulary teaching and its impacts on learners’ autonomy....18

2.3.1 Technology in vocabulary teaching ................................................................18

2.3.2 Impacts of technology on learners’ autonomy................................................19

2.4. QUIZLET..........................................................................................................20

2.4.1 Overview of Quizlet.........................................................................................20

2.4.2 Previous studies ..............................................................................................22

CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................25

3.1. Subjects of the study and the research context .................................................25

3.2. Restatement of research questions....................................................................26

3.3. Method of the research......................................................................................26

3.4. Data collection instruments...............................................................................29

3.5. Research procedures..........................................................................................30

3.6. Data analytical method......................................................................................31