English vocabulary learning in a limited context, such as EFL (English As a Foreign Language), requires a lot of memorizing due not only to the huge amount of English vocabulary but also to the diverse meanings of it, and elementary school students na...
English vocabulary learning in a limited context, such as EFL (English As a Foreign Language), requires a lot of memorizing due not only to the huge amount of English vocabulary but also to the diverse meanings of it, and elementary school students naturally require a lot of cognitive processing to learn it. Therefore, materials and methods are very important for efficient English vocabulary learning in this limited context.
In this study, pictorial typography, which is both creative and recreational, was presented as a way of English vocabulary learning due to the fact that the material for English vocabulary learning is the most important thing for elementary school students to be curious about and also to captivate their attention in regards to learning English vocabulary. ‘Word World’, which is an educational English vocabulary TV program of PBS, was analyzed as the substitutional case of an actual classroom lesson, using pictorial typography to explain the effectiveness of pictorial typography. Based on the fact above, pictorial typography was applied to semantic webbing, which can present relationships between the meanings of vocabulary to make efficient use of it in the actual class, and English vocabulary learning through the Semantic-Pictorial Webbing (SPW) which was presented in the study.
The case for teaching English vocabulary through SPW using pictorial typography was presented from the following.
First, the lesson is initiated using pictorial typography to present the vocabulary which will help the students to understand the topic, to pay attention to learning, and to induce curiosity. Then, the amount of vocabulary is increased using semantic webbing in each group, and then by the whole class. Second, the first development stage of the lesson is the making of vocabulary pictorial typography cards by drawing and coloring of pictorial typography based on the semantic web generated by each group and by the whole class, as done in the introduction. Students are thus exposed to the vocabulary they should learn through the activity above, which they can visually memorize effectively. Third, the second development stage of the lesson is the making of the semantic-pictorial web dictionary from the SPW using the vocabulary pictorial typography cards which the students made in the first development stage. Students conceptualize the meaning of the vocabulary through SPW, and can therefore memorize effectively. Lastly, the effectiveness of review, and the practical use of a semantic-pictorial web dictionary for English listening, speaking, writing, and reading classes are improved by posting it up on the bulletin board in the classroom.
For this study to determine the effectiveness of English vocabulary learning through SPW, lessons of 3 periods were given, and the attitudes of students were observed at each stage and in each period. A survey for evaluating the organization of the lesson and the possibility of realizing it in the actual elementary class was done. The following results were obtained.
First, the English vocabulary learning through SPW had a favorable influence on the affective aspects of students. Pictorial typography attracted students' attention with its recreational characteristics, and helped students understand the meaning of vocabulary quickly and accurately with a high recognition rate. In the actual class, students participated in the lesson very actively and understood the meanings of the vocabulary naturally with a positive attitude, curiosity, and interest in English vocabulary learning.
Second, the sense of achievement was increased. Students had a higher sense of achievement by completing the making of the semantic-pictorial web dictionary and putting it up on the bulletin board in the classroom.
Third, the students understood the relationships between the meanings of the vocabulary. Students learned English vocabulary by understanding and categorizing each vocabulary item through SPW. Each pictorial typography in the semantic-pictorial web dictionary also helped students understand the meaning of vocabulary quickly, and without any review.
As a result, English vocabulary learning through SPW using pictorial typography gives students motivation by having a favorable influence on their affective factors and enhancing a positive attitude to English vocabulary learning, and is an effective English vocabulary teaching method, which helps students understand the relationships between the meanings of vocabulary.