An evaluation of the vocabulary component in the web resource provided by the Malaysian ministry of education for teaching english for science and technology (EST) to form 5 students

• Main Author: Choo, Judy Sang San
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, UNIMAS 2006
• Subjects: L Education (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/7476/8/An%20Evaluation%20of%20the%20Vocabulary%20Component%20in%20the%20Web%20Resource%20Provided%20by%20the%20Malaysian%20Ministry%20of%20Education%20for%20Teaching%20English%20for%20Science%20and%20Technology%20%28EST%29%20to%20Form%205%20Students.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/7476/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

This study sought to evaluate the vocabulary component in the web resource provided by the Malaysian Ministry of Education for teaching English for Science and Technology (EST) to Form 5 students. The objectives were to evaluate this component in detail and to make recommendations for future materials development, based on the information gathered from the evaluation. A literature review was conducted to determine the approaches for resource evaluation. Based on the literature review, a list of criteria was drawn up, and divided into the categories of language learning potential, the vocabulary component and the web element. The list of criteria was used in conjunction with the content analysis procedure to evaluate the chosen resource. In addition, a checklist and an interview were administered to three teachers of EST in order to find out their evaluation of the same resource. The findings from the researcher’s evaluation and the teachers’ evaluation were analyzed. The findings from the researcher’s evaluation showed that the resource is insufficient in terms of vocabulary instruction, because it meets not more than half of the requirements for effective vocabulary instruction as defined in the list of criteria. The inadequate vocabulary component was supported by the findings from the evaluation of the resource by one teacher of EST; whereas two teachers believed that the vocabulary component is satisfactory. In terms of language learning potential, the resource was found to be lacking in four crucial elements: the needs for communication, long-term goals, authenticity and student-centeredness. On the other hand, the web element of the resource was judged as worthwhile, in terms of content, visual and audio design, navigation and miscellaneous factors. However, it was also discovered that lack of awareness and lack of accessibility prevented the teachers from making use of the web element of the resource. The overall conclusion that was made was that the resource has little value in terms of vocabulary and language learning, but the web element contributes towards the effectiveness of the resource. Recommendations were made to improve the resource in terms of vocabulary and language learning. Suggestions for further research and materials development were also made.