教學後單字練習題對臺灣國小學童英語字彙習得的影響:階層式單字練習題與抄寫練習題之比較

Abstract

單字練習題常作為英語教師提升第二外語學習者單字學習成效的方式之一，然而針對不同單字練習題的實際成效，其相關研究仍顯不足。因此，本研究採用量化研究方法，以探究階層式單字練習題與抄寫練習題對國小學童英語字彙習得（word gains）與記憶保留（retention）的影響。\n研究對象為臺灣北部一所公立國小四年級兩個班的五十五位學生，此均質的兩個班級被隨機指定為實驗組與控制組，實驗組於一般教學後施予階層式單字練習題,而控制組則於一般教學後施予抄寫練習題。兩組受試者皆接受每週一次、歷時六週的單字練習題，一共練習二十四個主要單字。之後，兩組受試者隨即接受包含所有主要單字的單字知識等級表（VKS）測驗，以得知兩組受試者的單字習得情形。一個月後，兩組受試者再次接受相同的單字測驗，以進一步得知單字的記憶保留情形。本研究主要發現如下：（1）在單字習得成效方面，接受階層式單字練習題的實驗組學生顯著優於接受抄寫練習題的控制組學生；（2）單字保留成效方面，接受階層式單字練習題的實驗組學生亦顯著優於接受抄寫練習題的控制組學生；（3）階層式單字練習題對於高、低英語學習成就者而言，在單字習得與記憶保留上皆有正面影響；（4）對於高、低英語學習成就者而言，抄寫練習題亦皆有助於提升其單字習得與保留成效；（5）對於高英語學習成就者之單字習得而言，階層式單字練習題與抄寫練習題的成效相同；然而，對於單字記憶保留而言，階層式單字練習題的成效優於抄寫練習題；（6）對於低英語學習成就者之單字習得與保留而言，階層式單字練習題的成效皆優於抄寫練習題。最後，研究者針對階層式單字練習題及抄寫練習題在實際教學上之應用提供建議，以作為教育學者們參考。

Vocabulary exercises are regarded as one of the ways English teachers frequently utilize to enhance English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ vocabulary learning efficiency. Yet, studies focusing on the comparisons of the effects of different vocabulary exercises on learners’ vocabulary acquisition and retention seem comparatively few. Thus, the present study adopted a quantitative research method to investigate the effects of two types of vocabulary exercises, i.e., hierarchy vocabulary exercises and copying exercises, on learners’ word gains and retention.\nParticipants of the study were two classes of 55 fourth-grade students in a public elementary school in northern Taiwan. With the homogeneity of English proficiency on Cambridge Young Learners English Test (CYLET), the two classes were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. During the instructional experiment, the experimental and control groups received hierarchy vocabulary exercises and copying exercises respectively once a week, with a total of six times, to practice a total of 24 target words selected in this study. After receiving the last vocabulary exercises, both groups received post-test 1, based on a Chinese version of Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (VKS), to measure their word gains of all the target words. One month after receiving the last vocabulary exercises, both groups also received post-test 2, which was the same as post-test 1, to assess their word retention. The major findings are summarized as follows. (1) In terms of word gains, learners receiving hierarchy vocabulary exercises significantly outperformed those receiving copying exercises. (2) In terms of word retention, hierarchy vocabulary exercises possessed greater facilitative effects than copying exercises. (3) Hierarchy vocabulary exercises exerted a significant effect on both high and low English achievers’ word gains and retention. (4) Not only high English achievers but also low English achiever reaped benefits from copying exercises on word gains and retention. (5) Hierarchy vocabulary exercises demonstrated superior effectiveness than copying exercises on high English achievers’ word retention, but not on their word gains. (6) Hierarchy vocabulary exercises led to both more word gains and retention than copying exercises for low English achievers. At the end of the thesis, pedagogical implications and recommendations for further research were provided.