ABSTRACT:
Pronunciation is seen as a hard skill w88 link mới nhất absorb w88 link mới nhất many students, which leads w88 link mới nhất their demotivation in learning this skill. Pronunciation taught at National Economics University mainly focuses on such practical issues that students often find scared of as sounds, word stress, sentence stress, and intonation. However, at the lowest level of pronunciation, mispronouncing words are common among those learners, not mentioning the higher levels, so it is unavoidable that they can easily lose interests when learning this skill. Arisen from that fact, this research has been done w88 link mới nhất help provide teachers and learners a set of motivation mechanism w88 link mới nhất be used as a strong tool and reference in their pronunciation classes.
Keywords:pronunciation, classroom motivation, motivation mechanism.
1. Introduction
In the field of this research in and out of Vietnam, in fact, previous studies primarily focused on theories of English teaching methods, few have been interested in methods of creating class motivation but it is still too general with little actual data. More seriously, there seems not w88 link mới nhất be a specific study on the mechanism of learning motivation for students in developing English pronunciation skills. Meanwhile, students in general and students of National Economics University (NEU) in particular are said w88 link mới nhất have poor or incorrect English pronunciation, which leads w88 link mới nhất their inconfidence when communicating in English or causes some unworthy confusion and misunderstandings. This absolutely affects their social communication capability as well as their future work. Therefore, this research is carried out with the desire w88 link mới nhất provide students and teachers with a set of motivational mechanisms, from which both sides can be proactive in teaching and learning in pronunciation skills.
2. Objective of the study
Building and perfecting a motivation mechanism for students so that lecturers can use it in the process of teaching phonetics in particular and English in general w88 link mới nhất promote and improve students' effectiveness in learning English, especially for freshmen at National Economics University.
3. Research Question
This study aims w88 link mới nhất answer the following questions:
- 1. What motivation mechanisms are the English lecturers of the Faculty of Foreign Languages for Economics - National Economics University using?
- 2. What is the current status of application and effectiveness of those motivation mechanisms?
- 3. How w88 link mới nhất build a synchronous motivation mechanism for teachers w88 link mới nhất use in teaching pronunciation for first-year students at National Economics University?
4. Objects and Scope of the study
4.1. Objects of the study
Motivation mechanisms in teaching and learning pronunciation used by lecturers and first-year students of the Faculty of Foreign Languages for Economics - National Economics University.
4.2. Scope of the study
English teachers of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Economics and students of the National Economics University who have participated in studying pronunciation, including junior and senior students of both departments in our faculty.
There are two departments, working on different kinds of students at National Economics University. The first one is Department of Business English teaching students who studies business English, and the second one is Department of Foreign Languages for Specific Purposes teaching students of Advance English Program (AEP). There are over 40 teachers in total teaching 4 different English skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. However, only some of us teach pronunciation with only two from the Department of Business English and 7 from the other, comprising a total of 9 teachers joining this survey.
The Faculty of Foreign Languages for Economics has two departments. The Department of Business English (BE) teaches its own students, and the Department of Foreign Language for Specific Purposes (SP) trains students of other faculties focusing on the AEP ones. Thus, questions were given w88 link mới nhất 3 classes taught by the BE, and 3 classes by the SP in an online google form. They came from different intakes with 2 from K60, 2 from K61, 2 from K62.
5. Brief Literature Review
5.1. The importance of teaching English pronunciation
Human beings use language as a means of communication; in other words, w88 link mới nhất express ideas, communication is used in form of a language every day. However, there is a big problem that struggles so many students who study English, an international language. They are too afraid w88 link mới nhất speak out in English. Thus, it’s very deficient w88 link mới nhất teach English pronunciation which explains why it has never been completely applied in schools. Obviously, teaching English in a correct way helps us reach fluency and speak naturally in real communication. The correct way mentioned here is pronunciation, which w88 link mới nhất many students is the hardest part in acquiring English, so they should spend a lot of time w88 link mới nhất improve it (Aliaga García, 2007; Martínez-Flor et al. 2006; Pourhosein Gilakjani, 2016).
It is obvious that an indispensable part of communicative competence is understandable pronunciation (Morley 1991). Bearing it in mind, teachers should aim at applicable and obtainable activities that meet the communication needs of learners. Pronunciation instruction, if applicable, can encourage learners’ actual production, building their pronunciation awareness and practice.
5.2. The relationship between teaching pronunciation and fostering motivation
Actually, there has never been a study on the relationship between teaching pronunciation and fostering motivation before. As known, pronunciation is a difficult subject for many students, which if they are not patient enough, it’s hard w88 link mới nhất succeed in learning it. Thus, motivation, despite coming from inside or outside themselves, plays indispensable roles. Below are some of the typical obstacles that often trouble students a lot:
Obstacle 1: Assimilation in English sounds.
Obstacle 2: Similar sounds
Obstacle 3: Linking sounds
In these cases, fostering motivation definitely makes students feel it easy w88 link mới nhất learn and get more involved into the phonetics lessons.
6. Research Method
As an experienced teacher for more than a decade, we would say that a research without its application in classroom and creating its effects on students is not worth doing. By which we mean, the best way w88 link mới nhất know whether what is researching is workable in real life is w88 link mới nhất practice it in the class, observing the results that students gain from it. w88 link mới nhất do this, Classroom Action Research Method (CARM) presents its practicality.
As a highly practical method, the classroom action research undergoes 7 steps of implementation, according w88 link mới nhất Bell, 1993; Sagor, 2000; and Hubbard and Power, 1993:Step one: Identifying a question or problem = Step two: Reviewing Literature = Step three: Planning a research strategy = Step four: Gathering data = Step five: Making sense of the data = Step six: Taking action = Step seven: Sharing the findings.
7. Research Results
7.1. Results and research analysis from the questionnaires
In this questionnaire, we used some same questions w88 link mới nhất survey teachers and students on the teaching and learning pronunciation with 20 given w88 link mới nhất teachers and 21 given w88 link mới nhất students. The purpose of this is w88 link mới nhất see how different their perspectives and expectations are in order w88 link mới nhất re-design different mechanisms of motivation for both of them. The results are clear on:
- The viewpoints toward teaching and learning Phonetics among teachers and students: It shows the high evaluation of phonetics in teaching and learning English among both teachers and students.
- Students’ self-learning ability regarding this Phonetics: Most students do not take the initiative in self-learning this phonetics skills, instead, they expect much in teachers’ instruction and motivation.
- The approaches and teaching activities applied in Phonetics lessons: One fixed approach will not work for students of phonetics. w88 link mới nhất approach them in teaching phonetics, teachers have w88 link mới nhất be very flexible in using both gentle and pressure approaches.
- The factors contributing w88 link mới nhất a motivating Phonetics class, including: students’ learning competence, their attitude towards learning Phonetics, their teachers’ inspiration, their poor pronunciation, the boring teaching materials (textbooks, supplementary workbook, etc.), teachers’ expectation w88 link mới nhất improve their students’ pronunciation, a variety of available English pronunciation materials online and offline, teachers’ self-checking their pronunciation during the process of teaching Phonetics w88 link mới nhất students, and the importance of Phonetics in helping students speak English well.
- The difficulties or obstacles given in the process of learning Phonetics, including: uncooperative students, differences in students’ English level, the too good or too weak English competence of the whole class,, the too difficult phonetics knowledge for students, insufficient time allowance for studying phonetics, class condition, students’ inactiveness in learning this skill, students’ inconfidence, being afraid of making pronunciation mistakes when speaking, students’ dialects and accent, limited learning time, consuming time w88 link mới nhất search extra phonetics materials, teachers’ demotivation.
- Ways w88 link mới nhất find materials w88 link mới nhất teach Phonetics: Generally, most of them found it easy w88 link mới nhất find phonetics materials w88 link mới nhất support their teaching and learning though there were not too many. If it was easy w88 link mới nhất access learning materials and students took the initiative in finding and learning them, a lot of workload would be reduced for the teachers.
- The need of motivation mechanism
7.2. Results and research analysis from the interviews
Our students from four different classes were chosen randomly. Two of them were from the BE department, and the other two were from the SP one. We gave them the same 21 questions as given above, and the results found were the same as the majority of students in each question. Thus, it would be redundant w88 link mới nhất make it presented again in this section.
7.3. Results and research analysis from the observation notes at class
As a matter of fact, at the time of doing this action research, it was pandemic time. There were no classes run actually offline and no pronunciation classes opened. However, all the data and teaching notes done in my pronunciation classes intaken by students K60, K61, K62 were saved and kept in the private Facebook groups of those classes created by me previously.
In those classes, we used action research methods all the time by giving activities and assignments, observing how students implemented them, giving evaluation, fixing something off the track, updating new ways w88 link mới nhất deliver the lessons, interacting closely w88 link mới nhất each student, and witnessing their improvement over the time.
Students were often asked w88 link mới nhất fulfilled the assignments before going w88 link mới nhất class. They have w88 link mới nhất do a lot of pair work and cross-checking, practicing together and checking mistakes before sitting 1-1 with me at class.
w88 link mới nhất motivate students w88 link mới nhất study this skill, we used a variety of class activities as well as some regulations, which was sometimes a bit stressful (but fun), w88 link mới nhất push students w88 link mới nhất a new level of pronouncing words, sentences, or intonation. They will all be presented in the next section, partly contributing w88 link mới nhất a proposal of motivation mechanism w88 link mới nhất promote studying English phonetics. Proven materials were presented in the Appendix 3 at the end of this research.
The results from applying those motivation methods were amazing. Students loved learning Phonetics and so their pronunciation skill was improved dramatically. Proven results were shown in the Appendix 4 at the end of this research.
8. Proposals on motivation mechanism
With a lot of obstacles given w88 link mới nhất both teachers and students in teaching and learning Phonetics, a set of motivation mechanism would be really helpful and supportive. In this chapter, as a practical researcher, we would propose a suggested one which is supposed w88 link mới nhất be useful for teachers w88 link mới nhất use in order w88 link mới nhất motivate their students in learning phonetics and even speaking skill.
Below is the presentation of each motivation mechanism, applying both gentle and pressure approaches.
8.1. Pressure Approach
8.1.1. Motivation mechanism 1: Attendance and participation
Attendance
Students were asked w88 link mới nhất fully attend the class but it doesn’t mean they are eligible w88 link mới nhất attend the midterm and final test. If they were absent for 20% of the course, they would have w88 link mới nhất retake the course. w88 link mới nhất be clear, let’s take this example:
If a course lasts for 10 weeks with 2 credits/week studying in one day of the week, w88 link mới nhất get the full attendance, students have w88 link mới nhất fully attend all 10 days. If they were absent for two day, they would not be allowed w88 link mới nhất take the exams.
Participation
Participation means students really join and complete all the class activities. If they did not join the activities given up w88 link mới nhất a number of times (3-4-5 depending on teachers’ decision), they also would not permitted w88 link mới nhất take the exams. The question is how teachers can follow and check all students in the class while time is short?
The answer is actually very easy: in the logbook of the class, make it two columns: one for attendance, and one for participation. In the attendance column, tick all those who attend the class. In the participation column, just tick on the names who have not accomplished the task. Attendance checking should be done at the beginning of the class, while participation should be check at the end. From my own experience, it takes only 1-2 minutes w88 link mới nhất do checking each of them, so it is very feasible w88 link mới nhất apply this way.
Advantages: Students aware of this very well and fully attend the class, seriously join their class activities.
Disadvantages: Students feel a bit stressed and do not like it at the beginning of the course.
How w88 link mới nhất handle: Be serious but friendly w88 link mới nhất students when implementing it.
8.1.2. Motivation Mechanism 2: Homework fulfillment
Due w88 link mới nhất the short time at class, it is highly advised that teachers should assign students with more exercises w88 link mới nhất practice at home. Then the first thing w88 link mới nhất do after checking attendance is w88 link mới nhất check their homework fulfillment.
If students have not finished it, ask them w88 link mới nhất go out and finish it within 15-20 minutes, then they can come back w88 link mới nhất keep learning the lesson. If they cannot, they are still allowed w88 link mới nhất keep studying but their attendance is marked as absent that day.
Advantages: Students enhance their awareness and skills, improve their phonetics knowledge.
Disadvantages: Sometimes teachers may give a lot of homework which could be a burden for them w88 link mới nhất fulfill.
How w88 link mới nhất handle: Be aware of the amount of homework given w88 link mới nhất students.
8.1.3. Motivation mechanism 3: Peer self-assessment
Peer self-assessment means that students do cross-checking after finishing the homework/assignment/class activities given by teachers. In order w88 link mới nhất do peer self-assessment, teachers must have a guidance on what w88 link mới nhất be assessed in detail, written in a clear note w88 link mới nhất give it w88 link mới nhất students. When students assess their partners’ practice or exercise, they can take it as a measure.
Advantages: This helps build students’ independence skill of learning, and saves time and efforts for teachers.
Disadvantages: If the guidance is not clear enough, students may get troubles in cross-checking, which leads w88 link mới nhất inefficiency of the lesson.
How w88 link mới nhất handle: Be very well-prepared with the guidance.
8.1.4. Motivation mechanism 4: Mutual responsibility
In fact, when working together in pairs, some students are too weak and some are very good at English pronunciation. Besides, some students are not ready and eager w88 link mới nhất learn, some are very interested. w88 link mới nhất solve this problem, ask them w88 link mới nhất take responsibility over the other. How w88 link mới nhất do it? Here is the way.
After they finish doing exercises together, teachers often check at class. When checking, teachers immediately know whether student A and B (a pair) have done it successfully. There should be a simple measure w88 link mới nhất assess their completion of homework: Pass or Fail.
If the teacher says student A passes and student B fails, both A and B accept that both of them fail this activity. If the teacher says both of them passes, they are marked “done well”. If she says both of them fails, they fail this activity obviously. By this doing, students understand their responsibility over the other, so they absolutely try their best w88 link mới nhất help their partner.
Advantages: Students learn together and help each other progress well.
Disadvantages: It may take a lot of time of students w88 link mới nhất get improved as required.
How w88 link mới nhất handle: Don’t deliver so many tasks w88 link mới nhất students at the same time.
8.1.5. Motivation mechanism 5: Self -assessment and teacher’s random check
In a class of several dozens of students, checking 1-1 between teachers and students is impossible in all cases. Thus, it is faster and also effective if teachers ask students w88 link mới nhất do their self-assessment.
There are so many ways w88 link mới nhất ask students w88 link mới nhất do exercises by themselves and then do self-checking, possibly including:
- Going live on the private Facebook group of the class
- Writing phonetics of the text
- Copying the voice
- Recording their voice
- Self-talking / self-presenting
Advantages: Students become more confident in communication and improve their knowledge of pronunciation a lot.
Disadvantage: Students may be overwhelming.
How w88 link mới nhất handle: Do not ask them w88 link mới nhất go live in the first two week but tell them that they will have w88 link mới nhất do that in the coming time.
8.2. Gentle approach
8.2.1. Motivation mechanism 6: Games
Students are often excited w88 link mới nhất play games, so games are absolutely a great way w88 link mới nhất motivate them. w88 link mới nhất have ideas on what games w88 link mới nhất play, teachers can buy books of pronunciation games in which there are so many w88 link mới nhất apply. In this research, I don’t think there is a need w88 link mới nhất list them all out here.
Advantages: Students get excited and so very motivated w88 link mới nhất class.
Disadvantages: It may sometimes be very time-consuming and ineffective in improving pronunciation if teachers use them all the time.
How w88 link mới nhất handle: Teachers should not allow playing phonetics games in all lessons. When applying games, teachers should control the time.
8.2.2. Motivation mechanism 7: Prizes
Students loves prizes. As long as there is a prize presented in advance for those who can finish the activity/assignment/homework given by teachers, they will focus on doing the task at their best.
Advantages: Students are highly motivated and learn it at their best.
Disadvantages: It costs teachers’ money in some cases
How w88 link mới nhất handle: It depends on teachers w88 link mới nhất apply it often or not.
8.2.3. Motivation mechanism 8: Mock test
Students are always interested in their improvement by scores. Before the midterm test and final exam, teachers should design a mock test that covers all the criteria taught up w88 link mới nhất the test time. Then teachers also should help them check for the best answers.
Advantages: Students are happy because they feel that they are well-prepared for the tests.
Disadvantages: It takes a lot of teachers’ time.
How w88 link mới nhất handle: Teachers should save the mock tests w88 link mới nhất make it a bank of tests for further use.
CONCLUSION
This research was done in the context of the pandemic, so there were a lot of disadvantages during its process. However, with a variety of saved practical materials and questionnaires, it is believed w88 link mới nhất have done successfully with a clear analysis on some typical aspects related w88 link mới nhất teaching and learning Phonetics at National Economics University, the need and the how w88 link mới nhất implement it for NEU freshmen. It is highly proposed that there should be at least some more credits added w88 link mới nhất students’ English programs so that they can perfect their English skills.
REFERENCES
- Adapted from Sadker, M., and Sadker, D.. -"Questioning Skills" in
Cooper, J. M., editor. Classroom Teaching Skills: A Handbook. - Dinh Tien Minh.Cải cách phương pháp giảng dạy đại học. Journal of Economics Development, No.178, August 2005.
- McNiff, J. (1988) Action research: principles and practice, Basingstoke,
Macmillan - Corey, Stephen M., (1953) Action research w88 link mới nhất improve school practices;
Bureau of publications, Teachers college, Columbia University, New York. - Mills, G.E. (2000).Action Research: A Guide for the teacher researcher.Columbus, OH: Merrill.
- Hopkins, D. (1985).A Teacher's guide w88 link mới nhất classroom research.Philadelphia: Open University Press.
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ĐỀ XUẤT CƠ CHẾ THÚC ĐẨY VIỆC HỌC KỸ NĂNG PHÁT ÂM TIẾNG ANHCHO SINH VIÊN TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC KINH TẾ QUỐC DÂN
Lê Anh Thơ - Nguyễn Thị Thu Trang - Chu Thị Kim Ngân
TÓM TẮT:
Phát âm chuẩn là một kỹ năng khó đối với đa số sinh viên học tiếng Anh, có thể dẫn đến việc các em mất động lực học môn học này. Phương pháp dạy phát âm tại Trường Đại học Kinh tế Quốc dân luôn tập trung vào những kỹ năng phát âm thực tế mà sinh viên nói chung thường cảm thấy sợ hãi như âm tiết, trọng âm của từ, trọng âm của câu, và ngữ điệu. Tuy nhiên, ngay ở cấp độ phát âm thấp nhất, việc phát âm sai vẫn là phổ biến, chưa nói đến cấp độ cao hơn, nên việc sinh viên dễ mất hứng thú khi học kỹ năng này là điều khó tránh khỏi. Xuất phát từ thực tế đó, nghiên cứu này được thực hiện nhằm giúp cung cấp cho người dạy và người học một bộ đề xuất cơ chế tạo động lực để sử dụng như một bộ công cụ hữu ích và là tài liệu tham khảo trong các lớp học phát âm hiện nay.
Từ khóa:phát âm, động lực học tập, cơ chế tạo động lực.
[Tạp chí Công Thương - Các kết quả nghiên cứu khoa học và ứng dụng công nghệ, Số 1, tháng 1 năm 2023]