VIET NAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND FOREIGN LANGUAGES BA THESIS A SURVEY ON THE ENGLISH MAJORED FRESHMEN’ USING SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS IN LEARNING ENGLISH VOCABULARY AT VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE (KHẢO SÁT VỀ THỰC TRẠNG SỬ DỤNG CÁC ỨNG DỤNG TRÊN ĐIỆN THOẠI THÔNG MINH CỦA SINH VIÊN NĂM NHẤT NGÀNH TIẾNG ANH ĐỂ HỌC TỪ VỰNG TIẾNG ANH Ở HỌC VIỆN NÔNG NGHIỆP VIỆT NAM) Student: NGUYEN HOANG HAI Student code: 621193 Major: ENGLISH Supervisor 1: NGUYEN THI THANH HIEN, M.A Supervisor 2: BUI TRUNG KIEN, M.A Hanoi – 2021 CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY I, the undersigned, hereby certify my authority of the study project report entitled A SURVEY ON THE ENGLISH MAJORED FRESHMEN‟ USING SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS IN LEARNING ENGLISH VOCABULARY AT VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor in English Language Except where the reference is indicated, no other person‟s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the text of the thesis Hanoi, 2021 Nguyen Hoang Hai Approved by SUPERVISOR (Signature and full name) Date:…………………… i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS At first, I am grateful to all teachers in the Faculty of Education and Foreign Languages of Vietnam National University of Agriculture for allowing me to this BA thesis Second, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my first supervisor, Nguyen Thi Thanh Hien, M.A for her patience and enormous contribution to build my graduation thesis I am also very thankful to my second supervisor, Bui Trung Kien, M.A for his valuable feedback and comments Without their guidance, it would not be possible to complete my thesis successfully I also would like to delicate my special thanks to all my friends at Vietnam National University of Agriculture, who have supported, cooperated and provided me with valuable suggestions Last but not least, I also would like to express my great thanks to my family for the sacrifice they have devoted during my studies ii TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINALITY i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ii TABLE OF CONTENTS iii ABSTRACT vi LIST OF ABBREVIATION vii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES viii PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY 1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 1.6 DESIGN OF THE STUDY PART 2: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 1: LITERATURE REVIEW 1.1 REVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS STUDIES 1.1.1 Review of the domestic researches 1.1.2 Review of the international researches 1.2 REVIEW OF THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 1.2.1 The definition of vocabulary iii 1.2.2 The important role of vocabulary in learning languages 1.2.3 The definition of smartphone 1.2.4 Mobile learning (M- learning) 1.2.5 Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) 10 1.2.6 Mobile applications for English language learning 11 1.2.7 Examples of mobile applications for English vocabulary learning 11 CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY 16 2.1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 16 2.2 RESEARCH SETTING/CONTEXT: 17 2.3 DATA COLLECTION: 17 2.3.1 Data collecting instruments 17 2.3.2 Data collecting procedures 18 2.4 DATA ANALYSIS 19 2.5 SUMMARY 19 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 20 3.1 THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE VNUA‟S ENGLISH MAJORED FRESHMEN‟ USING SMARTPHONE APPS IN ENGLISH VOCABULARY LEARNING 20 3.1.1 Common English vocabulary learning methods and the frequency of using each tool/app 20 3.1.2 The locations where VNUA’s English majored freshmen often use smartphone applications to learn English vocabulary 30 3.1.3 The reasons why VNUA’s K65 English majored students use smartphone applications to learn English vocabulary 31 iv 3.2 THE EFFECT OF ENGLISH MAJORED FRESHMEN' USING SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS IN VOCABULARY LEARNING AT VNUA 33 3.2.1 The effect of using smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary 34 3.2.2 Using smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary affect students’ learning outcomes 36 3.2.3 Using smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary compared to other vocabulary learning methods 37 3.3 EXTRA RESULTS FROM THE INTERVIEW 38 3.4 SUMMARY 41 PART 3: CONCLUSION 42 CONCLUSION 42 LIMITATION OF THE CURRENT STUDY 43 SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY 43 PART 5: REFERENCES 45 APPENDIX 50 v ABSTRACT This paper aimed at investigating how the English Majored freshmen use smartphone apps in learning English at VNUA so that they can acquire knowledge and learning English vocabulary effectively It was carried out in VNUA, Hanoi, Vietnam in the academic year 2021 It is a descriptive survey paper done to survey VNUA English majored freshmen's opinions about using smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary The sample consisted of 70 students This paper depended on two instruments to collect data which are a 77item, 6-category, closed-answer questionnaire and an online interview The questionnaire addressed questions concerning frequency, locations, reasons, effects, learning outcomes and using smartphone applications to learn English vocabulary versus other methods of learning vocabulary The interview was added as a supporting method to evaluate the reliability of students‟ replies compared to reality The findings revealed that using smartphone apps is of great usefulness to English vocabulary learning in general The students considered smartphone apps simple and usable and preferred using them rather than traditional tools and computers because of their capabilities and acceptance among students To effectively use smartphone apps in English vocabulary learning, students should be well trained and classrooms should be more mobileoriented Also, teachers must be technically and pedagogically competent vi LIST OF ABBREVIATION VNUA : Vietnam National University of Agriculture Application(s) : App(s) M-leaning : Mobile leaning MALL : Mobile Assisted Language Learning CALL : Computer Assisted Language Learning EFL : English as a Foreign Language vii LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES TABLE CONTENT NAME PAGE The frequency of using traditional tools to learn English Table vocabulary The frequency of using the computer to learn English Table vocabulary 20 22 The frequency of using dictionary apps on smartphone to Table 3.1 learn English vocabulary 23 The frequency of using translation apps on smartphone Table 3.2 Table 3.3 to learn English vocabulary The frequency of using flashcards apps on smartphone to learn English vocabulary 24 25 The frequency of using pronunciation apps on Table 3.4 smartphone to learn English vocabulary 25 The frequency of using idioms apps on smartphone to Table 3.5 learn English vocabulary 26 The frequency of using examination apps on smartphone Table 3.6 to learn English vocabulary 26 The frequency of using apps of program, media or press Table 3.7 on smartphone to learn English vocabulary 27 viii The frequency of using video apps on smartphone to Table 3.8 learn English vocabulary The frequency of using pictures apps on smartphone to Table 3.9 learn English vocabulary 27 28 The frequency of using text messaging apps on Table 3.10 smartphone to learn English vocabulary 28 The frequency of using vocabulary game apps on Table 3.11 smartphone to learn English vocabulary 28 The frequency of using social media apps on smartphone Table 3.12 to learn English vocabulary 29 The locations of using vocabulary game apps on Table smartphone to learn English vocabulary 30 The reasons of using smartphone apps to learn English Table vocabulary 32 The effect of using smartphone apps to learn English Table Table Table vocabulary 34 The students’ typical English subject scores in the first semester Using smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary compared to other vocabulary learning methods Table 9.1 Students’ interview answers about the most popular 36 37 38 ix Câu 3: Dưới xếp loại kết học tập số mơn tiếng Anh điển hình học kì I Bạn lựa chọn xếp loại tương ứng với môn Môn học F D / D+ C / C+ B / B+ A Nghe Nói Đọc Viết Bạn vui lòng đánh dấu X vào ô Đồng ý Không đồng ý để thể quan điểm cá nhân bạn với nội dung Câu 4: Việc sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh để học từ vựng Tiếng Anh có hiệu với bạn? Hiệu Đồng ý Không đồng ý Sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh để học từ vựng tiếng Anh giúp nâng cao, cải thiện vốn từ vựng Ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh giúp học hỏi, tiếp thu, ôn tập, rèn luyện từ vựng tiếng Anh cách dễ dàng Học từ vựng thông qua ứng dụng điện thoại giúp cẩn thận cách đọc, cách viết, ý nghĩa phát âm từ ngữ Ứng dụng học từ vựng tiếng Anh điện thoại thông minh cho dễ dàng khám phá, tiếp cận đa dạng loại từ vựng theo chủ đề Việc học từ vựng thông qua ứng dụng điện thoại giúp tiết kiệm thời gian Việc học từ vựng thông qua ứng dụng điện thoại hỗ trợ làm tập lớp Việc học từ vựng thông qua ứng dụng điện thoại giúp nâng cao kết học tập môn tiếng Anh Hiệu khác (Ghi rõ hiệu quả) 56 Câu 5: Theo bạn, việc sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thơng minh để học từ vựng tiếng Anh có hiệu phương pháp học từ vựng khác (từ điển, sách báo, thẻ ghi nhớ, máy tính…) hay không ? Quan điểm so sánh Đồng ý Không đồng ý Tôi nghĩ học từ vựng tiếng Anh điện thoại thông minh dễ dàng phương pháp học từ vựng khác Tôi nghĩ học từ vựng ứng dụng điện thoại thơng minh khơi dậy động lực nhiều phương pháp học từ vựng khác Tôi nghĩ việc sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh để học từ vựng tiếng Anh giúp cải thiện nâng cao vốn từ vựng tiếng Anh nhiều phương pháp học từ vựng khác Tôi nghĩ việc sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh khiến việc học từ vựng trở nên thú vị phương pháp học từ vựng khác Tôi nghĩ học từ vựng tiếng anh qua ứng dụng điện thoại tiết kiệm thời gian so với phương pháp học từ vựng khác Quan điểm so sánh khác (Ghi rõ quan điểm) Câu 6: Vì bạn sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh để học từ vựng tiếng Anh? Lí Đồng ý Không đồng ý Để cải thiện, nâng cao vốn từ vựng Để tiết kiệm thời gian học từ vựng Để cải thiện phát âm Để bổ trợ cho tập, kiểm tra lớp Để tự học từ vựng Để vừa học vừa chơi thơng qua trị chơi ngơn ngữ Để học từ vựng theo chủ điểm, xếp khoa học, logic 57 Để học từ vựng cách sinh động minh họa hình ảnh, âm thanh, video… Lí khác (Ghi rõ lí do) Cuối cùng, xin bạn cho biết giới tính bạn: Nam  Nữ  Chúc bạn học tập tốt ! 58 SURVEY QUESTIONAIRE Hello K65 English majored students, below is the answer sheet for the research: “A survey on the English majored freshmen’ using smartphone applications in learning English Vocabulary at Vietnam National University of Agriculture" All information is collectected objectively so that we hope you answer these following questions from your personal point of view Please fill ‘X’ in the empty cells below (For each item in one row) Question 1: Below are some common ways students use to learn English vocabulary Choose the average weekly usage time for each tool/app English Vocabulary Learning Methods Use traditional tools No use Less than 30’ 30' – 1h 1’ - 2h More than 2h 1.1 Paper Dictionary 1.2 Sticky notes, flashcards 1.3 Books, documents and magazines 2.1 Documents on the computer Use the computer 2.2 Computer vocabulary learning apps 2.3 Learn and exchange online TFlat OALD Dict Box Lac Viet Use the smartphon e apps 3.1 Dictionary Cambridge applications Dictionary Other (specify) 3.2 Translation Google Translate 59 applications Microsoft Translator Mobile Translator Other (specify) Flashcards Maker English Cards TOEFL/ IELTS 3.3 Flashcards English applications Vocabulary Cards Other (specify) Clear speech ELSA speak 3.4 Pronunciation applications 3.5 Idioms Wordup Vocabulary Other (specify) English idioms and Phrases applications English Idioms in Use 60 English Idioms Quiz Game Other (specify) Cambridge Exam Lift A2/B1/B2/C 1/C2 3.6 Examination Applications TOEIC Exam IELTS Pro Other (specify) BBC news 3.7 Applications of program, media or press Easy English with VOA News English Club TV Other (specify) 3.8 Video Applications 13000 English Vocabulary Video British Council LearnEnglis h Videos 61 Learn English with Video Subtitle Other (specify) English 30000 Words with Pictures 3.9 Pictures Applications English Picture Vocabulary Vocabulary with Images Other (specify) Study TXT English SMS 3.10 Message Applications 3.11 Vocabulary Game Applications WhatsApp Other (specify) English Crossword puzzle Word Find/ Connect Vocabulary quiz app 62 Other (specify) 3.12 Social media Applications allowing writing and posting subblog posts, Q&A and sharing vocabulary knowledge Facebook (join English vocabulary academic pages, groups, clubs) beBloggr Yahoo Q&A Other (specify) Question 2: Below are the places students often use to learn English vocabulary through mobile applications Choose the right level of use for yourself Locations Never Seldom Sometimes Usually Always At the place of residence At the English classes at the university At the university‟s library At English language centers, foreign language clubs, English clubs At outdoor English learning sessions, programs, campaigns, “San Tay”, English interviews… At cafés, supermarkets, parties, festivals having foreigners 63 At English conferences and seminars At workplace On vehicles in traffic 10 Other locations (Specify location) Question 3: Below is a list of some typical English subjects of semester I Select the ranking score corresponding to each subject F Subjects D / D+ C / C+ B / B+ A Listen Speaking Reading Writing Please tick the ‘X’ in the Agree or Disagree box to express your personal views with each of the following statements Question 4: How effective is it to use smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary? effective Agree Disagree Using the smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary helps me improve my vocabulary Smartphone apps helps me learn, acquire, review, practice English vocabulary easily Learning vocabulary through smartphone apps helps me to be careful about how to read, how to write a word, what it means and how to pronounce it English vocabulary learning apps on smartphone gives me easy to explore and access a variety of themed vocabulary types Learning vocabulary through smartphone apps help me save time 64 Learning vocabulary through smartphone apps supports me to my class assignments Learning vocabulary through the smartphone apps enhances the learning results of my English subjects Other efficiency (Specify efficiency) Question 5: In your opinion, is it more effective to use smartphone applications to learn English vocabulary than other methods of learning vocabulary (using dictionaries, books, flash cards, computers )? Comparative Opinions Agree Disagree I think learning English vocabulary on a smartphone is easier than other methods of vocabulary learning I think learning vocabulary on a smartphone app can inspire more motivation than other methods of vocabulary learning I think using smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary helps improve and enhance English vocabulary more than methods of vocabulary learning I think using smartphone apps makes vocabulary learning more interesting than other methods of vocabulary learning I think learning English vocabulary through the smartphone apps is more time-saving than other methods of vocabulary learning Other comparative viewpoints (Specify the viewpoint) Question 6: Why you use smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary? Reasons Agree Disagree To improve and enhance vocabulary To save time learning vocabulary To improve pronunciation To support exercises and tests in class To be able to learn vocabulary by own 65 To be able to learn and play through language games To be able to learn vocabulary by topics which are arranged scientifically and logically To be able to learn vocabulary in a lively way illustrated by images, audio, video Other reasons (Specify the reason) Finally, please tell me your gender: Male and Female  Wish you good study! 66 APPENDIX 3: INTERVIEW ANSWER SHEET PHIẾU PHỎNG VẤN SINH VIÊN Bạn sinh viên lớp : …………… Nam/ Nữ …………………… Bạn vui lịng cho biết ý kiến số câu hỏi : Bạn thường sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh để học từ vựng Tiếng Anh? Bạn biết ứng dụng từ nguồn nào? Ứng dụng bạn sử dụng nhiều nhất? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Trong trình sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh để học từ vựng Tiếng Anh, bạn đánh giá ứng dụng có ưu điểm/ hạn chế gì? Ưu điểm: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Hạn chế: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 67 Theo bạn, có nên có hỗ trợ, thúc đẩy Cố vấn học tập/ Khoa/ Học viện tới việc sử dụng ứng dụng điện thoại thông minh để học từ vựng Tiếng Anh sinh viên khơng? Nếu có nào? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Cảm ơn hợp tác bạn! 68 INTERVIEW ANSWER SHEET Your class: Male/ Female Please give your opinion on some of the questions below: What apps you often use on your smartphone to learn English vocabulary? From what source you know those apps? Which apps you use the most? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… In the process of using smartphone apps to learn English vocabulary, what advantages/ disadvantages you think the app has? Advantages: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Disadvantages ………………………………………………………………………………………………… … ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… In your opinion, should there be the support and promotion from the Academic advisors / Faculty / Academy to the students‟ using smartphone apps to learn the English vocabulary? If 69 so, how? ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Thank you for your cooperation! 70