Students' Attitudes towards Teaching and Learning Semantics through Pop Culture

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24436

Keywords:

Semantics training, pop culture, students'attitudes, Van Lang University

Abstract

Meaning is undeniably the core of human communication, with semantics, the study of meaning, playing a crucial role in linguistics programs. Traditional teaching methods in semantics are often considered dry and reliant on memorization, potentially hindering student motivation. While some research suggests that authentic materials can improve language learning, there needs to be more research on their impact in Vietnamese university contexts. This study explores Van Lang University English majors' perceptions of integrating pop culture materials into Semantics courses, offering insights for educators to make Semantics more engaging and effective. The study was designed quantitatively with a survey questionnaire administered to 113 English-majored seniors. Results show that students had positive attitudes toward using pop culture in Semantics training, finding it made the course more comprehensible and engaging. However, opinions on the challenges of this approach were unclear. The study provides implications for students, teachers, and future research.

Author Biography

  • Tran Thi Mai, Faculty of Foreign Languages, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Ms. Tran Thi Mai graduated from Curtin University, majoring in Applied Linguistics. She has 10 years of experience in English Language Teaching, from general English, specialized subjects, to TOEIC and IELTS preparation courses at universities such as Bach Khoa University, Hoa Sen University and Van Lang University. Her teaching philosophy is the unceasing improvement in every lesson delivered to her students so that they can enrich their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and shape a positive attitude towards independent, responsible, and lifelong learning. Her areas of interest in research are mindful learning, blended learning, and autonomy.

References

Alsayed, F. (2020). The Effects of Semantics in the Language Development of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Learners. International Journal of Learning and Development, 9, 138. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v9i4.15735

Andrian, H., Sutrisno, S., & Budiyanto, H. (2023). The Meaning of Life. Quaerens: Journal of Theology and Christianity Studies, 4(2), 113-128. https://doi.org/10.46362/quaerens.v4i2.188

Aygün, Y. (2016). The effects of watching movies on enhancement of EFL students' vocabulary learning. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.14192.25606

Cao, T. Q. L, & Nguyen, T. C. A. (2018, August). The Effects of Students' L1 on Learning English Linguistics at USSH-HCMC, Vietnam. In IV International Colloquium Proceedings (pp. 97-108). https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1064&context=international colloquium#page=102

Carifio, J., & Perla, R. (2008). Resolving the 50-year debate around using and misusing Likert scales. Medical Education, 42(12), 1150-1152. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2008.03172.x

Csomay, Eniko & Petrović, Marija. (2012). “Yes, your honor!”: A corpus-based study of technical vocabulary in discipline-related movies and TV shows. System, 40, 305–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2012.05.004.

Cudney, E. A. & Ezzell, J.M. (2017). Evaluatıng the Impact of Teaching Methods on Student Motivation. Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, 18(1), 32-49.

Curran, J., & Sparks, C. (1991). Press and popular culture. Media, Culture & Society, 13(2), 215-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/016344391013002006

Dinh, T. H. (2023). Exploring EFL university lecturers’ perceptions of benefits and challenges of using Audio-visual Aids. International Journal of Language Instruction, 2(4), 43–53. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijli.23243

Dyer, R. (2023). Pop Culture: Identity and Influence. Journal of Cultural Studies, 45(3), 321-340.

Gilmore, A. (2004). A comparison of textbook and authentic interactions. ELT Journal, 58(4). pp 363-374

Hoang, P. N. (2021). Cognitive linguistics and Vietnamese language teaching. Noble International Journal of Social Sciences Research, 6(5), 56-60.

Hoang, Q. V. (2022). The effects of authentic materials on EFL students’ attitudes and confidence in speaking skills.TESOL Working Paper Series, 20, 19-33.

Hurford, J.R., Heasley, B., & Smith, M. B. (2007). Semantics: A coursebook. Cambridge University Press.

Hussein, N. & Elttayef, A. (2018). The Homogeneous Relationship between Syntax ad Semantics: Structure, and Meaning in Arrangement of English Language Sentences. British Journal of English Linguistics, 6 (5), 38-45.

Johnson, R. (2021). The role of memes and viral videos in enhancing semantic understanding in EFL contexts. Journal of Applied Linguistics, 14(2), 112-129.

Kreidler, C, W. (1998). Introducing English Semantics. Routledge.

Liu, C-Y. (2023). Podcasts as a resource for learning academic English: A lexical perspective. English for Specific Purposes, (71), 19-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2023.02.003

Liu, Y. & Lin, A. (2017). Popular Culture and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language (TESOL). In: Thorne, S. & May, S. (eds) Language, Education and Technology. Encyclopedia of Language and Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02237-6_38

Ly, C., K. (2022). English-majored students’ perceptions of the translation course at Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 2(3), http://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.22235

Ngu nghia hoc. (n.d.). Faculty of Foreign Languages. https://ffl.hcmute.edu.vn/vi/SEMA230236

Nguyen, H. A. T., Chik, A., & Woodcock, S. (2022). Translanguaging in English-Medium Instruction: teacher Practices at a Vietnamese University. In M. Pham, & J. Barnett (Eds.), English medium instruction practices in Vietnamese universities: institutional, practitioner and student perspectives (pp. 137-151). (Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects; Vol. 68). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2169-8_9

Nguyen, H. T. (2022). Impact of integrating Vietnamese media in EFL semantics instruction. Vietnam Journal of Education, 7(3), 45-59.

Nguyen, T. M. T., Nguyen, H. D., Nguyen, L. T. T., & Doan, N. T. (2016). An investigation into how QH2012. F1 students use higher-order thinking skills in English linguistics assessments at VNU-ULIS. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 32(3), 57-66.

Partee, B. H. (1999). "Semantics" in R.A. Wilson and F.C. Keil, eds., The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. 739-742.

Pham, T., K., C., & Truong, T., T., N. (2019). Common errors committed by linguistic students when translating from English into Vietnamese. Journal of Science and Technology, Hung Vuong University, 17(4), 90-100.

Phan, L.C. (2022, December 24). De cuong Ngu nghia hoc. HCMC University of Law. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hDx0smaTe55qxeaNxma9w5TCJDat9klK/view

Pimentel, J. L. (2010). A note on the usage of Likert Scaling for research data analysis. U.S. Department of Education.

Polat, M., & Eristi, B. (2019). The effects of authentic video materials on foreign language listening skill development and listening anxiety at different levels of English proficiency. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 6(1), 135-154.

Rets, I. (2016). Teachers’ Perceptions on Using Popular Culture when Teaching and Learning English. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 232, 154-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.10.040.

Richards, J. (2020). Pop culture references as tools for teaching complex semantic concepts. Educational Research Review, 28, 101-115.

Rowsell, J., & Pahl, K. (Eds.). (2015). The Routledge Handbook of Literacy Studies. Routledge, 339-354.

Storey, J. (2021). Cultural studies and popular culture: An introduction (9th ed.). Routledge.

Tegge, F. (2017). The lexical coverage of popular songs in English language teaching. System. 67, 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2017.04.016.

Tilavova, M. (2023). Teaching Semantics to English Language Learners. https://fll.jdpu.uz/index.php/fll/article/download/8403/5826

To, M. T. (2007). English Semantics. Ho Chi Minh City University Press.

Tondl, L. (1981). Problems of semantics: A contribution to the analysis of the language science. Reidel Publishing Company.

Tran, D.L. (2023, July 17). TAN118 - Ngữ nghĩa học tiếng Anh (English Semantics). Foreign Trade University. https://qldt.ftu.edu.vn/th%C3%B4ng-tin-%C4%91%C3%A0o-t%E1%BA%A1o/ch%C6%B0%C6%A1ng-tr%C3%ACnh-%C4%91%C3%A0o-t%E1%BA%A1o/%C4%91%E1%BB%81-c%C6%B0%C6%A1ng-chi-ti%E1%BA%BFt-h%E1%BB%8Dc-ph%E1%BA%A7n/3648-tan118-ng%E1%BB%AF-ngh%C4%A9a-h%E1%BB%8Dc-ti%E1%BA%BFng-anh-english-semantics.html

Truong, T.M.H., Ngo, T.C.T, Vo, T.T.H., & Tran, T.M. (2023, September 5). De cuong chi tiet hoc phan Semantics. Van Lang University. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pHvYB6IjbR3nFIlhm_hbEeQ_ARxQzEPjISQ6kBj6038/edit

Vu, T. L. (n.d). De cuong hoc phan. HCMC University of Foreign Languages - Information Technology. https://123docz.net/document/8317381-de-cuong-hoc-phan-ngu-nghia-hoc-semantics.htm

Watzinger-Tharp, J., Paesani, K., Ecke, P., & Rott, S. (Eds.). (2018). Understanding vocabulary learning and teaching: Implications for language program development. AAUSC.

Werner, V. & Tegge, F. (2022). Pop Culture in Language Education: Theory, Research, Practice. Routledge.

Yule, G. (2014). The Study of Language (5th edition). Cambridge University Press.

Downloads

Published

09-08-2024

Issue

Section

Research Article

How to Cite

Tran, T. M. (2024). Students’ Attitudes towards Teaching and Learning Semantics through Pop Culture. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 4(3), 96-109. https://doi.org/10.54855/ijte.24436

Similar Articles

71-80 of 156

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.