MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY N0.2 FOREIGN LANGUAGES FACULTY ==***== TRAN THI TRANG A STUDY ON HOW TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF EFL INTERNET RESOURCES FOR K37 ENGLISH MAJORS’ IMPROVEMENTS IN EFL LISTENING COMPREHENSION IN HANOI PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY N0.2 (SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH) SUPERVISOR: TA THI THANH HOA, M.A Hanoi, May 2012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT *********** I would be grateful to my supervisor, Ta Thi Thanh Hoa, M.A., who directly instructed me to implement the study for her precious advice, valuable suggestions and constant encouragement in the preparation and completion of the thesis Without her enthusiastic help, this graduation paper would not be completed I would like to express my sincere thanks to K37 English majors in Hanoi Pedagogical University Number 2, who provided me with very useful and practical information while this study was being developed Special thanks are also to many teachers and friends in the Faculty of Foreign Languages for correcting mistakes and collecting materials for the study Last but not least, I would like to express my deep gratitude to my family who encouraged constantly me in the process of conducting this graduation paper ABSTRACT ******** Applying in English listening teaching and learning is still a quite new concept in Vietnam in general and in Hanoi Pedagogical University Number in particular During the history of formation and development, computers and the Internet has been used in many fields including education industry Especially, it is very effective to apply computers and the Internet to teach and learn foreign language, for example, through the method Computer- Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Learners and teachers are possible to organize efficient studying time with high learners’ independence by many kinds of the Internet according to crucial principles Besides, a basic view of listening comprehension is drawn consisting of nature of listening, the teaching and learning EFL Listening Comprehension and general listening procedure of a lesson From that, advantages and disadvantages of applying the Internet in teaching and learning English listening skills are mentioned in detail In addition, the reality of teaching and learning English listening skill via the Internet to K37 English majors in Hanoi Pedagogical University Number was learnt about This study entails studying the current situation of teaching and learning listening comprehension through conducting a survey for data analysis Based on the result of the survey, the attitude of the teacher and students towards applying the Internet to learn English listening and their practice on teaching and learning process have been found Hence, some implications of better using the Internet resources to teach and learn EFL Listening Comprehension have been suggested STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP **************** Title: A study on how to take full advantage of EFL Internet resources for K37 English majors’ improvements in EFL listening comprehension in Hanoi Pedagogical University No.2 (Graduation paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in English) I certify that no part in this study has been copied or reproduced from any persons; work without acknowledgements and this study is written initially by me under the instruction of my supervisor Date submitted: May 2012 Student Tran Thi Trang Supervisor Ta Thi Thanh Hoa, M A TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii ABSTRACT iii STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP iv TABLE OF CONTENTS v PART I: INTRODUCTION I Rationale for the study II Objectives of the study III Significance of the study IV Scope of the study V Methodology VI Organization of the study PART II DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE LITERATURE REVIEW I.1 Literature review in brief I.2.Overview of the application of information technology in education in recent years I.3 Summary of Literature review I.3.1.Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) I.3.2 History of the Internet 10 I.3.3 Sources of the Internet resources to be used 10 I.3.4 Principles of using the Internet resources 12 I.3.5 The exploitation of authentic materials on the Internet as supplementary materials in EFL listening comprehension 13 I.3.6 Learner Autonomy 17 I.3 Introduction of listening skills and methods of teaching Listening 19 I.4.1 Nature of listening 19 I.4.1.1 Definition of Listening 19 I.4.1.2 Classification of Listening 20 I.4.1.3 Listening strategies 22 I.4.1.4 Listening Comprehension Skills 23 I.4.2 Teaching and learning EFL Listening Comprehension 25 I.4.2.1 The importance of listening as a language skill in EFL teaching and Learning 25 I.4.2.2 Factors affecting English majors’ listening performance 27 I.4.2.3 Roles of teachers and learners 28 I.4.2.4 History of teaching listening comprehension – in the light of different teaching methods-Grammar Translation, Audio Lingual, Communicative Language Teaching, etc 30 I.4.3.Teaching procedure 31 I.4.3.1.Pre-listening 31 I.4.3.2.While-listening 32 I.4.3.3.Post-listening 32 I.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of using the Internet resources in teaching and learning EFL listening comprehension 33 I.5.1.Advantages 33 I.5.2.Disadvantages 34 CHAPTER TWO METHODOLOGY AND THE RESULT II.1 The reality of teaching and learning English listening comprehension to K37-English majors in Hanoi Pedagogical University number 36 II.1.1.Aims of survey questionnaire 36 II.1.2.Participants 36 II.1.3.Content of survey questionnaire 36 II.1.4.Data analysis 37 II.1.4.1.Learners’attitude towards learning Listening through the Internet and approaches of improving listening skills 37 II.1.4.2 Practicing listening skills through Internet 40 II.1.4.3.Learners’view of considering internet as a tool to teach and learn English listening skills 49 II.1.4.4 Teachers’ attitude towards teaching Listening on Internet 51 II.1.4.5 Teachers’ practice on their listening lectures 54 II.2 Implications towards better using the Internet to facilitate the teaching and learning English listening skills 61 II.2.1 Implications of better using the Internet resources to teach and learn EFL Listening Comprehension 61 II.2.2 Introduction of the website: www.tienganhonline.net 66 II.2.3 How to exploit the website: www.tienganhonline.net to teach and learn English listening skills 67 II.2.4 How to apply the Internet resources to effectively teach English listening skills in a Listening procedure lesson 69 CHAPTER III CONCLUSION CONCLUSION 73 REFERENCES APPENDICES PART ONE INTRODUCTION I Rationale English has been becoming increasingly popular not only in Vietnam but also all over the world since it is considered international language in communication The statistic figures also show that over 75% people all over the world are using English language to communicate and it cannot be denied that English is likely to be much more used in the coming years In the 21st century, the innovation of science and technology will continue developing, which brings both advantages and disadvantages for learners The innovation of education in general and the trend of applying computer and the Internet to teach English is not strange in Vietnam It is a quick approach to discover new ways, new knowledge of teaching foreign languages In fact, there are many countries applying the Internet to teach English such as Malaysia, Singapore, China and so on Using the Internet to teach English is one of the most effective approaches applied in many countries That makes their lessons more interesting and attractive The application of computers and the Internet in English Language Teaching in many countries throughout the world for many years has proved its advantages and effectiveness over other teaching aids Therefore, in order to catch up with the trend of integration and globalization, we have no other choice but to apply the world latest achievements for our education At universities of foreign languages, learners are taught four English skills, namely: speaking, listening, reading and writing However, in many other universities, listening is not paid much attention, even neglected This usually causes many difficulties for learners to get used to this skill when listening to English and communicate to foreigners The mentioned-above reasons are the motivation for me to choose “A study on how to take full advantage of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Internet resources for K37 English majors’ improvements in EFL listening comprehension in Hanoi Pedagogical University No.2” as the topic of my graduation paper I am going to be a teacher of English Therefore the methods to study and teach English as a foreign language are very important Although Internet has been applied lately in Vietnam to teach English, especially listening skills, but there is no doubt that it is very useful and feasible I am sure that in the future, the Internet will be used more widely to teach English in general and English listening skills in particular Doing this study helps me not only improve my current English teaching approaches but also bring about invaluable knowledge for my future career II Objectives of the study I write this graduation with the following aims: - To introduce some theories of using the Internet resources to teach English listening skills - To catch up with the latest teaching approach which is very essential for my future career to find out the best way to exploit the Internet in ELT to teach English - To make learners understand better the significance of the Internet in teaching English skills - To provide teachers of English with the best way to give learners equal education opportunities - To offer teachers a model of teaching English listening skills through the Internet is the fifth aim III Significance of the study There is no doubt that English plays an essential role in our communication over the world Among four language skills, Listening is the most important which creates a successful conversation However, not only English learners in general but also K37 English majors in Hanoi Pedagogical University No.2 in particular meet many difficulties in learning listening comprehension Therefore, it is indispensable to implement this study After this research, it is hoped that the result will be helpful to: - Provide learners with some useful techniques to study English listening comprehension through EFL Internet resources - Suggest some implications towards better exploitation of the Internet to facilitate the teaching English listening skills for the teachers - Be meaningful to people who are interested in improving English listening standard through the Internet IV Scope of the study In general, using the Internet to teach English listening skills is a virtual large area for me to research Therefore, I not dare to mention every aspects concerned teaching English listening skills by the Internet in my graduation paper Because of the immensity of this topic both theoretical and practical, all what I wish is to focus on the difficulties in using the Internet resources and some implications for teaching and learning English listening skills to improve the current situation of listening skills in many universities, especially Hanoi Pedagogical University number All what I presented in my graduation paper surely has many shortcomings due to lack of experience, limitation of time and knowledge However, I hope that, to some extent, this study will help teachers and learners to have a more comprehensive viewpoint on teaching English listening skills through Internet resources V Methodology In order to complete my graduation paper effectively, it is indispensable for me to read, study and collect information in books and other materials That is considered as the prerequisite of my graduation paper Besides, I also use both inductive and deductive methods in my study As for inductive method, facts and figures which were relevant and essential for exploiting Internet resources in teaching English listening skills were introduced The method also contains a survey questionnaire with students and teacher of Hanoi Pedagogical University No to investigate the demand and the reality of using Internet resources to teach English, especially listening skills With the deductive method, I would like Once more, I sincerely express my thanks to my supervisor, Ta Thi Thanh Hoa, M.A who has helped me to finish the study REFERENCES I BOOKS FOR REFERENCE Berson, M (2003) Advanced Listening- Listening Strategies Guide DynEd International, Inc Cunningham, S The Real- Life Teacher’s Resources Pearson: Longman Donald, J & Deboran, D (1990) Teaching with the Internet: Lessons from the Classroom Christopher Gordan Publishers Flowerdew, J & Miller, L (2005) Second Language Listening Theory and Practice Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Gilakjani, A P & Ahmadi, M R (2001) A Study of Factors Affecting EFL Students’ English Listening Comprehension and Strategies for Improvement Journal of Language Teaching and Research, (5), 997-998 Finland: Academic Publisher Harmer, J (2007) How to teach English Essex: Pearson Education Limited Higgins, J & John, T (1984) Computer in Language Learning Collins Educational Hoffman, S (1996) Computer and Instructional Design in Foreign Language/ ESL Instruction TESOL Journal, (2), 24-29 Internet Slang Dictionary (2007) URL:http://:www.noslang.com/dictionary/full 10 Keiko, P., Sara, A., John, C., Nigel, K & Eric, T (1995) Every Students’ Guide to the Internet Mc Graw Hill, Inc 11 Meskill, C Listening Skills Development through Multimedia Albany: State University of New York Albany 12 Oxford, R L (1990) Language Learning Strategies What every Teacher Should Know Heinle & Heinle Publishers 13 Pritchard, A (2007) Effective Teaching with the Internet Technologies Pedagogy and Practice London: Paul Chapman Publishing 14 Richard, J C and Rodgers, T.S (1987) Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching Reino Unido: Cambridge University Press 15 Sandler, C (2010) Living with the Internet and Online Dangers New York Word Association, Inc 16 Shastri, P D (2010) Communicative Approach to the Teaching of English as a Second Language Mumbai: Esquire Press Pvt Ltd 17 Teeler, D & Gray P (2000) The Internet in ELT Essex: Pearson Education Limited 18 Underwood, M (1989) Longman Handbook for Language Teachers Teaching Listening New York: Longman University Press 19 White, G (1998) Listening Oxford: Oxford University Press 20 Whong, M (2011) Language Teaching Linguistic Theory in Practice Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press Ltd 21 John, J (1996) Computers in Education Dushkin Publishing Group 22 Rost, M (1990) Listening in Language Teaching Longman 23 Shelagh, M (1986) Developing Listening Skills II WEBSITES FOR REFERENCE http://www.bbc.co.uk http://www.voanews.com http://www.dcielts.com http://www.esl-lab.com http://www.englishlistening.com http://www.englishpractice.com http://www.english.about.com http://www.englishtips.org http://www.tienganhonline.net 10.http://www.luyennghe.com APPENDIX SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE (For Students) I am Tran Thi Trang, K34A- Bachelor of English, Hanoi Pedagogical University No2, being a candidate for the finals I choose “A study on how to take full advantage of EFL Internet resources for K37 English majors’ improvements in EFL listening comprehension in Hanoi Pedagogical University No.2” as the topic of my graduation paper I would like to invite you answer these questions below in order to gather data supporting my survey You can be sure that all of your information will be kept secret definitely Thanks for your co-operation! Survey conductor: Tran Thi Trang Class: K34A- Bachelor of English, FLF- HPU2 For each of question, please put a tick (v) in the answer to indicate your choice and write briefly if necessary Your age: ……………… Your gender: ………… I Learners’ attitude towards learning Listening through the Internet and techniques of improving listening skills Which skill you feel the most difficult among the four English skills? A Writing B Speaking C Listening D Reading What affects your English listening performance? (You can choose more than one) A Listening equipment B Teaching methods C Your English listening performance D High level of listening tasks E Others Which listening strategy used in your EFL Listening Comprehension lessons? A Top-down strategy B Bottom-up strategy C Both of them Do you think that Listening is the crucial skill which ameliorates other language skills in EFL learning? A Yes B No How you usually improve your English listening skills? (You can choose more than one) A Listening to radio B Listening to tapes C Watching English programs on TV D Listening to materials on the Internet E Talking to the foreigners F Others When compared to the traditional way to learn English listening, learners’ applying the Internet to learn is: A More interesting B Less interesting C More creative D.Less creative How you think about the importance of using the Internet in learning English listening skills? A Very important B Quite important C A bit important D Not important How you feel about the effectiveness of taking advantage of the Internet to improve your English listening skills? A Very effective B Quite effective C A bit effective D Not effective II Practising listening skills through the Internet Have you ever attended any listening lessons using the Internet resources? A Yes B No 10 How often you access the Internet resources to find information for English listening skills? A Usually B Sometimes C Rarely D Never 11 Which difficulty you meet when applying the Internet resources to learn English listening skills? (You can choose more than one) A Expenses B Complexity in the use of the Internet technology C Lack of teacher’s guidance D Pupils’ computer illiteracy E Others 12 In your opinion, what is the most significant advantage of accessing the Internet resources in learning EFL Listening Comprehension? (You can choose more than one) A A variety of authentic materials B Much individualization C More integration of the four language skills D Many enjoyable games and activities E Others 13 Dispose these steps below in the order of searching for information on the Internet A Determine searching scope to choose a suitable tool B Implement and correct the search (to define the content, to select keywords, to change searching parameters) C Determine the kind of information needed to be searched (book, video, audio or picture, etc) D Confirm the result (1: …….; 2:…….; 3:………;4:……….) 14 What you think about accessing Google to seek information? (You can choose more than one) A Very effective B Quite effective C Very simple D Quite simple 15 What is your favourite website of learning EFL Listening Comprehension? (You can choose more than one) A www.luyennghe.com B www.voanew.com/specialenglish C www.bbc.co.uk D www.tienganhonline.net E Others 16 What should you to access the Internet safely? (You can choose more than one) A Apply believable antivirus software B Do not open any suspicious file C To be vigilant over strange emails D Access any websites you want 17 What you often use to improve listening ability of English via the Internet? (You can choose more than one) A English songs B Video or audio C Radio D Games E Foreign movies F Others 18 Have you taken part in intellectual games and activities on the Internet to improve your listening performance? A Yes B No 19 How you feel about intellectual games on learning English websites? (You can choose more than one) A Interesting B Boring C Difficult D Easy E Others 20 What kind of website you set as your home page? A Website of learning English B Website of searching information C Website of reading news D Others 21 How much time you spend accessing the Internet for learning EFL listening comprehension at home? A Less than hour per day B hour per day C More than hour per day 22 When using the Internet to teach English listening skills, the teacher is expected to be a: (You can choose more than one) A Model B Corrector C Guide D Motivator E Others III Learners’ view of considering the Internet as a tool to learn English listening skills 23 Do you think that listening skills will be best improved compared to others skills via the Internet? A Yes B No 24 Do you think it is essential to apply the Internet to learn English listening? A Yes B No 25 In your opinion, in the near future, will the Internet become common in teaching and learning English in Hanoi Pedagogical University No.2? A Yes B No Thank you very much for your co-operation! APPENDIX SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE (For Teachers) I am Tran Thi Trang, K34A- Bachelor of English, Hanoi Pedagogical University No2, being a candidate for the finals I choose “A study on how to take full advantage of EFL Internet resources for K37 English majors’ improvements in EFL listening comprehension in Hanoi Pedagogical University No.2” as the topic of my graduation paper I expect to receive your help for my graduation paper Your answer to my survey questionnaire would be very useful to the result of my graduation paper You can be sure that all of your information will be kept secret Thanks for your help! Survey conductor: Tran Thi Trang Class: K34A- Bachelor of English, FLF- HPU2 For each of question, please put a tick (v) in the answer to indicate your choice and write briefly if necessary Your age: ……………… Your gender: ………… I Teachers’ attitude towards teaching Listening on Internet Have you ever applied the Internet resources to teach EFL Listening Comprehension? A Yes B No In your opinion, when applying the Internet resources in teaching listening comprehension, will teachers’ role be less important? A Yes B No When learning EFL listening comprehension through the Internet, will learners’ role be more learner-centred? A Yes B No In traditional teaching ways without the Internet resources, which difficulty you meet when teaching EFL listening comprehension? (You can choose more than one) A Few authentic materials B Few motivated activities C Little students’ individualization D Others How you evaluate about the effectiveness of accessing the Internet to teach English listening skills? A Very effective B Quite effective C A bit effective D Not effective What you think of the importance of using the Internet in teaching English listening skills? A Very important B Quite important C A bit important D Not important In your opinion, what affects your students’ listening performance? (You can choose more than one) A Listening equipment B Your teaching method C Your students’ English listening performance D High level of listening tasks E Others II Teacher’s practice on their listening lectures Which listening strategy used in your EFL listening lessons? A Top-down strategy B Bottom-up strategy C Both of them How often you apply downloaded materials on the Internet in your English listening lectures? A Usually B Sometimes C Rarely D Never 10 Which difficulty you meet when applying the Internet resources to teach English listening skills? (You can choose more than one) A Expenses B Complexity in the use of the Internet technology C Lack of teacher’s guidance D Students’ computer illiteracy E.Others 11 In your opinion, by applying the Internet to teach EFL Listening Comprehension, teacher will be: (You can choose more than one) A Manager B Corrector C Consultant D Motivator E Others 12 What prepare for a successful listening lesson via the Internet? A Computer B An Internet connection C Headphones and speakers D A web browser (Netscape, Explorer, etc.) E Software for listening (Windows Media Player, KMPlayer, etc) F A microphone G All of them 13 Dispose these steps below in the correct order of selecting information on the Internet A Determine the kind of information needed to be searched (book, video, audio or picture, etc) B Analyze and evaluate information on the Internet to achieve suitable materials C Choose accurate key words, searching parameters and believable Internet resources D Confirm the result E Save and arrange information scientifically to check materials easier 14 What needs to be taken into consideration in choosing suitable materials on the Internet for listening lessons? (You can choose more than one) A The content B The format C The capaity D Others 15 Which websites you often suggest students to access for learning EFL listening comprehension? 16 What you advise students to to access the Internet safely? (You can choose more than one) A Apply believable antivirus software B Do not open any suspicious files C To be vigilant over strange emails D Access any websites they want E Others 17 How is your students’ attitude towards the activities in listening lessons without web-based materials? A Very enthusiastic B Quite enthusiastic C Very apathetic D Rather apathetic 18 How is your students’ attitude towards applying the Internet to learn English listening? (You can choose more than one) A Very excited B Quite excited C A bit excited D Not excited 19 What kind of activity you often use to motivate students in listening lessons with web-based materials? (You can choose more than one) A Pair activity B Group activity C Whole class activity D Individual activity E All of them 20 What you use to motivate students in EFL listening lessons? (You can choose more than one) A English songs B Videos or audios C Games and activities D English stories E Others 21 What is the purpose of your applying materials on the Internet in the prelistening part of lessons? A To reduce students’ stress before listening B To attract students’ attention C To warm up studying atmosphere D Others 22 What is the purpose of your applying materials on the Internet in the postlistening part of lessons? A To make students relaxed after listening B To summarize the content of lessons C To expand students’ knowledge D Others 23 After applying the Internet to teach English listening, which benefit you find? (You can choose more than one) A Attract students’ attention during lessons B Make the listening tasks easier C Increase students’ self-study D Others 24 Do you want to apply the Internet often in your listening lectures? A Yes B No 25 Do you expect the Internet will become common in teaching EFL Listening Comprehension in Hanoi Pedagogical University No.2? A Yes B No Thank you very much for your help! ... Title: A study on how to take full advantage of EFL Internet resources for K37 English majors? ?? improvements in EFL listening comprehension in Hanoi Pedagogical University No .2 (Graduation paper... comprehension is drawn consisting of nature of listening, the teaching and learning EFL Listening Comprehension and general listening procedure of a lesson From that, advantages and disadvantages of applying... reasons are the motivation for me to choose ? ?A study on how to take full advantage of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Internet resources for K37 English majors? ?? improvements in EFL listening