Author name: محمد ضياء الطائي

Supervisor name: ضحى عطا الله حسن القره غولي

General topic: Educational Sciences

Specific topic: Methods of Teaching English Language

Degree: Master

University: Mustansiriyah University - Faculty Of Basic Education - Department Of Teaching Methods

Language: English

University location: Baghdad

First pages:

Abstract: Developing a pupil’s dictionary is one of the techniques suggested to deal with the vocabulary and spelling difficulties of Iraqi EFL learners especially the intermediate school ones in order to reduce the misspelling ratio and to enlarge their vocabulary repertoire.Hence, the present study aims to investigate the effect of developing a pupils’ dictionary on vocabulary repertoire and spelling of Iraqi EFL intermediate school pupils. To achieve this aim, the following null hypotheses have been posed : 1. There is no statistically significant difference between the spelling achievement mean scores of the pupils who are taught by using the technique of developing pupil’s dictionary and those who are taught by using the prescribed method (teacher - centred).2. There is no statistically significant difference between the vocabulary achievement mean scores of the pupils who are taught by using the technique of developing pupil’s dictionary and those who are taught by using the prescribed method.3. There is no statistically significant difference between the overall achievement mean scores of the pupils who are taught by using the technique of developing pupil’s dictionary and those who are taught by using the prescribed method.4. There is no statistically significant difference between the development mean scores of the experimental group pupils on the pre - test and the post - test.The population of the present study is the male pupils of the second - grade intermediate schools in Baghdad during the academic year 2013 - 2014. The sample of the study consists of 65 pupils. The experimental group consists of 33 pupils whereas the control group consists of 32 pupils. These two groups are randomly chosen from Al - Nidhamyia Secondary School for Boys in Baghdad. The subjects ofIXboth groups are equalized in the level of their parents’ education, their age, their achievement in English in the mid - year exam, their grades on the pre - test, as well as some extraneous factors.To fulfil the aim of the study, an experiment is conducted using a non - equivalent pre - test post - test control group design. The two groups are taught the same material, which contains three units from the textbook Iraq Opportunities 6 except for the technique of developing Pupil’s Dictionary, which is introduced to the experimental group only. The researcher himself taught the two groups.Two versions of an achievement test (pre - test and post - test) are constructed by the researcher and exposed to a jury of experts to verify their validity. Reliability is calculated by using Kuder - Richardson formulas 20 and 21 yielding, coefficients of 0.93 and 0.95 respectively. Item analysis is carried out to determine the effectiveness of the items in terms of their discriminatory power and difficulty level. Then the tests are administered to the sample of the study prior to the experimental period and after it.The data of the post - test are analyzed statistically, using t - test formulas for two independent samples and two dependent samples. The findings indicate that there is a significant difference between the two groups in favour of the experimental one in the vocabulary, spelling, and overall achievement. The t - test also indicates that there is a significant difference between the pre - and post - tests scores for the experimental group in favour of the post - test showing significant development.It is concluded that the use of Pupil’s Dictionary technique has positive effect on the pupils’ vocabulary repertoire and spelling. According to the results of the study, a number of recommendations are stated and suggestions for further studies are put forward.