MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION
DISSERTATIONS
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
How much do teachers really play in
students acquiring language?
COMPLETED DISSERTATIONS
Tee Siok Hoon;
BA (Hons) in Chinese Studies
A case study examining the challenges and issues for IB MYP language B phase 1 students with recommendations to improve students’ performance
Learning involves acquisition of knowledge and skills. The question is there a better way to learn? Who should dominate the process of learning? Shall teacher determine the content and mode of delivery of the knowledge and skills? Or teacher shall drive the teaching to cater students’ learning needs and compliment to students’ learning?
This case study examined the challenges and key issues for IB Middle Years Programme MYP Language B Phase 1 students (beginner) with recommendations to improve students’ performance. It revealed the relationship between teaching strategies and learning needs from teachers and students’ perspectives and how it will impact the learning. This understanding is significant as it leads to the more successful planning and implementation of language programme. This research highlighted the purpose of learning second language in IB education and suggested recommendations for student’s improvement by going beyond teaching Language B as a subject but in a broader real life context. This study suggests that any future research could build on ‘Concept-based curriculum and instruction in Mandarin classroom’ with the goal to develop student’s thinking to the level of deep, transferable understanding and applicable to their real life that bring them a better future.
Bilingual Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition - effect on students‘ performance in Mandarin
This study, being an action research, has adopted the Bilingual Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (BCIRC) as its practical frame, to explore the issues of teaching Mandarin reading and writing as a second language. This study was conducted in an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Malaysia with 7 IB Diploma Year 12 students who took a reading and writing course over 6 weeks.
The purpose of this study was to find out the effects of BCIRC on students‘ performance in Mandarin reading and writing as second language. The perception, attitudes and behaviour of the students towards their Mandarin learning after the training intervention were explored. Quantitative data were analyzed based on the results of the pre-test and post-test of Mandarin reading and writing and the students‘ self-perceptions questionnaire. Moreover, qualitative data were obtained through individual interviews.
The findings revealed that the students had made significant progress in Mandarin and their motivation and behavior were also drawn to a more positive direction after the BCIRC program was instructed. The knowledge derived from this research has provided insights to support second language learning and teaching, as well as curriculum planning in IB World Schools.
Lee Fun Nee;
Bachelor of Business
ONGOING DISSERTATION RESEARCH
Teaching language through literature: An action research
The role of a teacher in supporting progress in English Language acquisition
Introducing guided reading strategies in PYP Grade 1 ESL students
Teachers perspectives of Mother Tongue inclusion and support in mainstream classes
Developing conceptual thinking in writing
The effectiveness of a Music-based instruction in the English Language of IB PYP Grade 1
Reading and language development through play based early years ESL students
How effective is paired reading as a strategy for engaging students?
To view completed and ongoing dissertation research projects within these topics, click on the questions below.
