Using Action Songs in Teaching Action Words to Young ESL Learners

Abstract

Vocabulary acquisition is a crucial step in acquiring a language. The acquisition may require strenuous effort especially to young, low proficiency ESL learners. The purpose of this action research is to investigate an effective way in helping low proficiency primary school ESL learners in rural area to widen and master their English vocabulary. The research focuses on studying the effect of using action songs in teaching action words to young ESL learners. A total of 35 nine-year-old children from a primary school in the East Coast of Malaysia participated in this study. A mixed-method research approach was employed for almost three weeks/12 hours to find out the effect of English action songs and rhymes on the teaching and learning of action words. Three instruments were used; vocabulary test, self-assessment forms regarding the participants’ feelings towards the integration of action songs and group interviews. The results revealed that using action songs help the children to learn action words. The integration of action songs is an ingenious way to facilitate the young, low proficiency ESL learners in comprehending action words.