Research can be FUN(DED)!

Hanantohananto.fip@uph.eduhananto.pbworks.com

UPH Seminar on ELT Research5 June, 2012

Presentation Purpose:

To give 2 research samples1.my government-FUNDED vocabulary research project2.FUN research: Paranormal (abnormal) vocabulary test

1st Sample Vocabulary-Item

Bank of English (VIBE)

Why vocabulary? Old topic but still

greatly misunderstood

http://www.press.umich.edu/titleDetailDesc.do?id=23925

Vocabulary Myths examined in the book:

In learning another language, vocabulary is not as important as grammar or other areas.

Using word lists to learn L2 vocabulary is unproductive. Presenting new vocabulary in semantic sets facilitates

learning. The use of translations to learn new vocabulary should be

discouraged. Guessing words from context is an excellent strategy for

learning L2 vocabulary. The best vocabulary learners make use of one or two really

specific vocabulary learning strategies. The best dictionary for L2 learners is a monolingual dictionary. Teachers, textbooks, and curricula cover L2 vocabulary

adequately.

HIGH

FREQUENCY

WORD

VERY

IMPORTANT

http://fip.uph.ac.id/voccom.html

2nd Research Sample Research purpose: to investigate

whether is it possible or not to use paranormal power in ELT?

Can paranormal power be used in ELT (e.g. in vocabulary-size test development)?

Research Problem: Some people claim

to have supernatural or paranormal power.

Paranormal power has never been used by EFL teachers.

Literature Review: (1) Mentalism is a performing art in which its practitioners,

known as mentalists, appear to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities.

Performances may appear to include telepathy, clairvoyance, divination, precognition, psychokinesis, mediumship, mind control, memory feats and rapid mathematics.

Hypnosis may also be used as a stage tool. Mentalists are sometimes referred to as psychic entertainers

The performance of mentalism may utilise similar principles, sleights and skills as stage magic

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentalism

Literature Review: (2) Vocabulary-size test Bilingual Anagram:

anjing = GDO kucing = TAC ikan = HSFI Ind. clue = English target words

Research Method (1) Research Design: Quantitative Subjects:

a mentalist (magician)? Ten volunteers from the seminar participants

Procedure: Give the mentalist list of ten Indonesian words Ask the mentalist to control the volunteers’

minds (one by one) silently so that they will translate the words into English.

Research Method (2) Instrument: ATM_VIBE and 10-item anagram based on a predetermined Indonesian clues, e.g.:

Indonesian CLUES English Target Words

lambat

dekat

mudah

cepat

kurang

yakin

mati

seperti

sakit

penuh

Research Method (3) Procedure:1. Make the 10-item Indonesian clues2. Find a person with paranormal power and some

volunteers. 3. Give him the Indonesian clues4. Ask him to control the volunteers’ minds to provide the

English target words to match the clues without telling the clues!

5. Do the vocabulary test using ATM_VIBE

Research Method (4) Data Analysis: If the question is doable/acceptable/sensible,

give 1. If it is NOT, give 0. Calculate the percentage of the

doable/acceptable/sensible items/questions.

Results/Finding

anjing = TAC (0) not doable/acceptable/sensible

kucing = GDO (0) not doable/acceptable/sensible

ikan = HSFI (1) doable/acceptable/sensible

33% doable/acceptable/sensible questions

Review:10

English Target Words

B:10 English

Target Words

A:Predetermined10 Indonesian

Clues

Noverbal

talk

A + B =Sensible items

(ATM_VIBE)

1 = sensible0 = not sensible

Total score = his power to control

/influence one’s mind

Conclusion & Discussion R.Q: Can paranormal power be used in ELT????

……….% doable/acceptable/sensible items

Limitation of the study ??? Recommendations

Implementations: teachers should/not use supernatural power in ELT

Further study: different subjects/instruments???