Using pictures as non-verbal language motivating students with English speaking lessons at Vietnam primary schools

Abstract

The study investigates the reality of students' low participation in speaking activities and the possibility of using pictures to increase their participation in classroom speaking activities if necessary. The reason for this research is the lack of using pictures as the visual aids to teach speaking skill for the students in Vietnam’s context. Although several studies have been conducted on these subjects with different approaches, Vietnamese students, especially the primary ones, are not paid much attention as an investigated object. By using methods of questionnaires and tests (pre-tests and post-tests) combined with qualitative analytical analysis, as well as taking 50 students in grade 4 of a primary school in Hanoi as the objects to assess their current situation of learning English with pictures. The research findings indicate that students are more interested in learning English speaking when using pictures. Moreover, the students’ learning strategies and students’ attitude towards learning English are the two main causes that make them have low motivation in learning. In all, motivation and performance of students after the process of applying pictures in learning English presented an improvement. The results of this study are expected to be beneficial for the teachers in conducting the teaching curriculum as they can apply pictures as effective supporters.