Effect of pictures story telling on speaking skill of grade 5 students at a primary school: Master of TESOL

Abstract

Pictures storytelling has been used as a prevalent tool in teaching and learning for children in Vietnam. Accordingly, pictures storytelling is motivating and fun (Ikarammuddin, 2017). Therefore, it can help learners to develop a positive attitude towards foreign language learning in general and English learning in particular. Moreover, pictures storytelling can create a desire and motivation for learners to continue learning. The current study aimed to explore the effect of pictures storytelling on improving 5th graders’ speaking ability and their perceptions about using pictures storytelling techniques in learning speaking skills. The researcher employed an action research approach with the use of Pre-test and Post-test; and combined with a mixed research approach with the use of observation, and questionnaire. 75 Grade 5 students at Dinh Tien Hoang primary school were selected as research participants. Data analysis revealed that (1) there is a development of student’s English-speaking skills through the application of pictures storytelling technique, including pronunciation, vocabulary retention, fluency, grammar, and comprehension; (2) the students had positive attitudes towards the use of pictures storytelling in learning English-speaking skills. Most students agreed that using pictures storytelling could improve their speaking performance; (3) some difficulties in learning speaking skills with the use of pictures storytelling were encountered due to the lack of vocabulary or time. Based on these research findings, the researcher proposed some implications to improve the effectiveness of using pictures storytelling in teaching and learning English at primary schools.