To Be Is To Live With God
The Effect of Using the Mother Tongue on Learning Vocabulary in Elementary Levels Compared to Using Dictionary Examples
(A Research Proposal)
By: Reza Rouhi Rad
Supervisor: PhD Tahriri
May, 2012
Introduction
An inseparable part of learning every language is vocabulary. With poor knowledge of grammar and rules of pronunciation, one can communicate, but having an insufficient knowledge of vocabulary may lead to severe problems. Vocabulary knowledge is the most important component of second language (L2) reading comprehension, even more so than background knowledge and syntax (Laufer, 1997). Because of the vast dominance of vocabulary, teaching such a skill is always viewed as a main concern of language teachers.
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The results of Hartmann’s (1983) research revealed that more than 50% of students learned vocabulary using bilingual dictionary in their first two years of learning process. In contrast to that, some other students tended to use a monolingual dictionary assuming that such types of dictionaries provide a direct translation to the target language.
On the other hand, translation of words can be helpful in this regard. According to Tang’s (2000) study using L1 translation helps define new vocabulary items better. Translation is useful for L2 acquisition because, firstly, it uses authentic materials, secondly, it is interactive, thirdly, it is learner-centered, and finally it promotes learner autonomy (Mahmoud 2006).
What has been brought up shows that both techniques are used in mastering vocabulary. So, the question that arises here is the tendency toward and selecting one of them as better.
Literature Review
In this part of the study, whatever in the form of research and other pieces of work about mother tongue usage and dictionary utilization as a way of vocabulary improvement in second language classes will be discussed.
Laufer (1990) believed that the use of dictionary should be encouraged under some conditions. She noted that in the case of familiar words in unfamiliar contexts or sentences consulting a dictionary could be helpful. The point in her study was that the type of dictionary used in such cases is
All students need direct instruction of vocabulary, but it is especially imperative for ELLs. They need much more exposure to new vocabulary than their native-English-speaking classmates. ELLs need to learn cognates, prefixes, suffixes, and root words to enhance their ability to make sense of new lexicon. Beginning ELLs and more advanced ELL students should actively engage in holistic activities to practice new vocabulary because learning words out of context is difficult for these students. If they memorize the meanings of the words on a list, they will not be able to use the words in their own writing or verbal production until they really understand the meanings. When vocabulary instruction includes explicit, implicit, and strategy instruction, students are repeatedly exposed to the target vocabulary in a variety of contexts which increases their individual vocabulary development and the other resources that help in doing so is the Semantic Mapping primary focus on visual relationships, which is helpful to students from all backgrounds.
Although it is a small ordinary object and for many people it is not of that significant importance for me it plays an important role in transforming my personality by boosting the self-confidence and by enhancing my communication skills. I am not only able to understand the culture of the country and socialize effectively with the use of this dictionary. In fact, it will help me to obtain my degree with good grades for which I have moved to the
First, vocabulary teaches pronunciation and the definition of words used in a particular language. If you know the meaning of a word, it is easier to use and understand when communicating. I also learned that vocabulary teaches
Vocabulary instruction plays an important role in developing language with ELL students. After conducting the research project on the importance of vocabulary instruction and reading comprehension, I expect to continue supporting my students with necessary vocabulary instruction in order to grow their knowledge of language. I will continue to collaborate with our ELD teacher when selecting vocabulary as well. My future project will be focused on the best scientifically-based practices to deliver vocabulary instruction to ELL
For many of the students in my class, vocabulary instruction is of chief importance to their reading comprehension and their understanding of larger concepts discussed in class. The standard I am choosing to discuss is one I implement weekly, if not daily, in my lessons because without the skills and strategies to learn new words and understand the various meanings of words and phrases, students will struggle to succeed
There are various definitions of vocabulary. One of them is vocabulary is a total number of words in a language, list of words with their meanings1 . From these definitions, the writer concludes that vocabulary is number of word or phrases which has meaning that are used in spoken or written language. Richard and Renandya said that vocabulary is component of language proficiency and provides much of the basis for how well students speak, listen, read and write. 1 Oxford Learner's
Many popular theories of second language acquisition have been analyzed throughout history. The socialization of L2 learners, their present emotional state that is present at the time of acquisition, as well as the comprehensible input and output with the use of scaffolding play a major role in second language acquisition. Kirsten Hummel states, “The one most effective way to increase L2 competence was by exposure to ‘comprehensible input’.” (Hummel, 2014, p. 73) Let us also not forget the importance of written expression as well as reading comprehension with these L2 learners. Each plays a role in language development. However, I believe that to acquire language one must use a variety of techniques that work together to create a balance within the learning environment. Furthermore, all L2 learners acquire language differently and so using a variety of resources that are based on the ability of each student is neccesary. There are many theories that have been developed by highly qualified experts in the field of linguistics. However, I will address those areas that I agree with as I present my personal theories on second language acquisition.
Children acquire language since they were born. They communicate with their parents. Furthermore, children and parents interact with each other using a language that we often call the first language or mother tongue. At an early age, children are only learning one language that is the mother tongue. By age and speech development, children improve to acquire a second language from the school or the environment around them. In terms of speed of langgauge acquisition, children are factorized by both the child and the child’s learning environment. Therefore, it is important to understand how children acquire second language. This paper is provided
It is important to have a look at the information provided by a typical dictionary in order to recognize the potential effectiveness of dictionaries in enhancing vocabulary acquisition. In most dictionaries, a typical word entry includes: meaning, grammar, usage, history, status, synonym, discrimination, application of derivative affixes, details of the parts of speech, indications of style and register, pronunciation, the origin of the word, labels to indicate the field in which the word is commonly used, gender of words, verb conjugations, common expressions, idioms and abbreviations. Marckwardt (1973) believes that the information supplied by dictionaries about the language can not be found elsewhere. Taking into consideration the valuable information supplied by dictionaries, the significant role of the dictionary in developing the process of learning vocabulary can not be denied.
Although vocabulary is the sub-skill of a language, it plays a very important role in language learning and teaching. In fact, vocabulary is central to language and is of paramount importance to language learners. On the other hand, words are the building blocks of a language that are used to label objects, actions, and ideas. In other words, people cannot convey the intended meaning without knowing vocabulary. It is widely accepted that vocabulary is a very important part in English language learning because no one can communicate in any meaningful way without vocabulary. As McCarthy (1990) stated, the single, biggest component of any language course is vocabulary. Nation (1990) also affirms that vocabulary can be considered as the most important element in language learning because Learners think that many of their
Use of visual materials. The classroom is full of billboards, flash cards, big images, cardboards which from what I observed are suitable to teach vocabulary. They enjoy visual activities such as pointing things in a cardboard, etc.
Vocabulary plays a significant role in English as second language learning process. For the majority of English as Second Language(ESL) learners, the ultimate goal of learning the language is to understand (read and listen) and communicate (write and speak) with little difficulty and the lack of sufficient vocabulary may be the constraint of such goal (Folse, 2004). As the bedrock of English and as well as language, vocabulary also facilitates the development of other language skills: lexical richness leads to the progress in the use of language, namely listening, speaking, reading and writing skills (Nation, 1994). Reversely, The improvement in such skills may enhance learners vocabulary size as the exposure to more learning materials improves the capacity to acquire new vocabulary. (The importance of learning vocabulary/ why vocabulary?)
Language is one of the most significant developments of humans. It is one of the few means of communications which enclose a large number of beliefs, values and it is provided paths to see the world in different perceptive. The languages are thought to be in danger when people do not speak their native languages or mother tongue in foreign countries. Mother tongue is a child’s first language and it can be learned since birth. This mother language cannot be used often in foreign countries. As a result, significant numbers of languages are ceasing to pass from one generation to another. Cultural diversity and languages are essential assets of any nation, representing their identity across the world. The mother tongue is the language of the
With all the students having a difficulty in coping with their lessons, Mother tongue-based multilingual education may be helpful or not in solving this problem.
The article by Jan H. Hulstijn and Batia Laufer presents a study of the process of incidental vocabulary retention by second language learners. The study argues that retention of new words depends on the degree of involvement in cognitive processing of these words.