Teaching English vocabulary to young learners through total physical response method

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the effect of the Total Physical Response (TPR) Method on vocabulary retention and explore the young learners’ attitudes toward it. It involved sixty two English young learners (YLs) aging from 10 to 11. All of them were attending English classes at Viet Uc English Language Center (henceforth called VUC) in Bien Hoa City where the current study was conducted. Both quantitative and qualitative data was obtained through the three instruments, namely pre- and post-test and interview. Descriptive statistics was employed for data analysis. The results revealed that TPR had effect on the YLs’ vocabulary knowledge through an increase in their vocabulary retention after they underwent the treatment. Similarly, the findings of the study also revealed that the YLs had positive attitudes toward the use TPR in vocabulary teaching and learning. This study is expected to shed light to the implementation of teaching vocabulary methods in the VUC context and other similar contexts.

Keywords

• vocabulary retention
• the total physical response
• young learners
• vuc context
• attitudes