A Comparative Study of Televised and Non - Televised Vocabulary Teaching: The Case of Grade Ten in Focus
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Date
2007-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to examine the Educational Satellite
Television (EDSTV) vocabulary teaching as compared to the NONEDSTV
one. In order to conduct the study, two sample high schools (Jiren and Setto
Secondary Schools that are found in Jimma town) were selected which fit
the purpose of the research - to compare differing modes of vocabulary
instruction. Thus, two groups were involved - a Study Group (that employs
the EDSTV programme) and a Comparison Group (that attends the
NONEDSTV programme).
The main instruments used to collect data for the study were classroom
observation, questionnaire and a vocabulary retention test. Direct classroom
observation was conducted with the help of a checklist to gather first hand
information, i.e. to investigate what the teaching/learning process looks like
in the actual setting. In addition to this, questionnaire was administered to
English teachers of both schools to investigate the long-term practice that
the EDSTV programme and the classroom teachers make use of in
vocabulary teaching. Ten teachers participated from the schools in the
study.
After completing the observation, a total of 210 students from both groups
were randomly selected and they were given a vocabulary test. The test,
which comprises 50 items, was a vocabulary retention test and all the target
words were taken from Units 2 and 3 (English for Ethiopia, student text for
grade ten). The test aimed at investigating whether or not the introduction of
the EDSTV instruction brought about a significant difference in the
vocabulary retention of the students more than did the non-televised
programme.
The responses of the teachers and the results of the observation were
analyzed side by side simultaneously in tables using figures and
percentages. Besides, the mean and standard deviation of the test scores
were computed and analyzed. In addition to this, an independent samples
test was administered to see if there was a significant difference between the
two groups.The outcomes of the analysis revealed that the vocabulary teaching
techniques of the EDSTV programme employed were by far more effective as
compared to those employed by the NONEDSTV one. Especially, the visual
aid supplement, the fluency in giving brief definitions of the target words
and the revision procedures were effective. Nevertheless, the way vocabulary
items are designed, practiced and recycled was unsatisfactory in both
programmes.
On the other hand, even if it was below average, the study indicated that the
EDSTV students scored a significantly better result than the NONEDSTV
students in the vocabulary retention test administered to both groups.
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Keywords
Comparative Study, Televised and Non - Televised