An Empirical Study Of Enhancing Primary School Students’ Vocabulary Learning Through English Picture Book Reading

Previous studies have indicated that vocabulary learning plays a crucial role in individuals? English learning,so vocabulary learning is indispensable.Nowadays,using English picture books as reading materials in primary school becomes more and more popular.The availability of English picture books developed for the educational purposes provides us with the possibility and feasibility of improving primary school students? vocabulary learning.This thesis aimed to investigate the effects of English picture book reading on primary school students? vocabulary learning,especially in the aspects of vocabulary knowledge: form,meaning and use.In order to achieve this goal,this present research adopted an experiment,in which the experimental class with English picture book reading and the control class with plain text reading were arranged to read the simple stories aiming to develop students? learning in vocabulary.60 grade five primary school students and 10 teachers were involved in the experiment.To collect the data,three vocabulary tests(vocabulary pre-test,immediate vocabulary test and delayed vocabulary test)were administrated to the participants of both the experimental group and the control groups.In addition,a questionnaire for measuring the students? perception on English picture book reading to promote vocabulary learning was carried out to the participants from the experimental class and an interview for teachers to assess teachers? perception on English picture book reading was conducted.The major findings reveal that 1)The English picture book reading has positive and long-term effects on students? vocabulary learning;2)The English picture book reading can help students use the vocabulary correctly;3)The English picture book reading meets primary school students? needs and improves their interests and motivations in vocabulary learning.This research implies that reading through English picture book facilitates primary school students to learn English,motivate students to improve vocabulary knowledge especially in the aspect of use.The findings of the present research displays how well the English picture book reading works to assist vocabulary learning and as a matter of fact English picture book reading can be adopted to enrich the vocabulary learning pedagogy.