1.

1 INTRODUCTION
As part of the required course in School Based Research,the research is to conduct
and submit a research project in order to gain experience in how to implement
research. The title that I have selected for the research project is Teaching and
Learning of Vocabulary in Collaborative Learning (CLM) among Year 5 Pupils of
Sekolah Kebangsaan Methodist ACS Klang.
In the teaching and learning of the English Language, one of the most important
things the teachers have to consider and realize is whether the learners are able to
successfully learn some new words or vocabulary at the end of each English
Language lesson. In this research, collaborative learning strategies are used to
scaffold learners in learning vocabulary.
1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM
The present research is an effort to prove the effectiveness of CLM in the learning of
vocabulary compared to the traditional method. Based on the availability sampling,
one of the learners will be the control group and the other the experimental group,
which will be exposed to CLM. The result of the two methods will produce outcomes
with relation to performances, preferred method, feedback, attitude and motivation.
The results will be based on data collected through observation, interview and
questionnaires and analysed using frequencies and percentages.
One of the most important steps towards getting to know and learn a second or
foreign language is to learn its vocabulary. ( Abraham, D, : 1990 )
Both in the first language as well as in the second or foreign language the learner
acquires two catergories of words, for example,
1. Words he can recognize, understand and use in speaking and writing ;
2. Words he can recognize and understand when listening and reading, but
which he normally does not use in speaking and writing
1
Usually our recognition vocabulary is far larger than our vocabulary in active usage
in a second or foreign language. The teacher can develop the skill to use word in

second language in varieties of activities in listening and speaking lessons as well

as in reading lessons. As active vocabulary develops, the words learned can become
part of the vocabulary for usage.
The main purpose of the research is to determine the effectiveness of collaborative
learning in the teaching and learning of vocabulary among Year 5 pupils in Sekolah
Kebangsaan Methodist ACS Klang.
The teaching and learning of vocabulary in the English Language in the Malaysian
classroom is one of the many obstacles faced by many English Language teachers.
As an area which is often neglected, vocabulary is seen as one of the most important
parts of the language where learners should also be able to learn new words
especially during the English Language lessons. Sometimes learners will neglect
words that they have never heard before. However, they often read or see these
words in the reading passages, sentences, bulletins, and letters or through their
everyday use in the English Language classroom.
The research will try to find out whether collaborative learning strategy really has the
effect on the particular group of learners or otherwise. Besides that, it is also used to
see how the methods motivates and has an effect on the attitude and motivation
among the language learners.
1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The research intends to meet the following objectives :
(i)

To check whether collaborative learning can be an effective way of teaching

and learning vocabulary among Year 5 pupils.

( ii )

To examine whether collaborative learning is a preferred method compared to

traditional

( iii )

To determine whether CLM can contribute to the successful development of

Vocabulary

( iv )

To examine whether CLM can solve attitude and motivation problems faced
by the Year 5 pupils towards learning vocabulary

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Based on the research objectives above, the following research questions are
formulated :
(i)

Can CLM learning be considered an effective way of teaching and learning of

vocabulary among Year 5 pupils

( ii )

Which method CLM or traditional method is preferred

( iii ) Can CLM contribute to the successful development of vocabulary learning

( iv ) Can CLM solve attitude and motivation problems faced by the pupils towards

1.4.1 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH

It is the researchers hope that this study will be beneficial to various parties
especially educators, individuals, parents, learners and other interested parties.
From the result that has been analysed or conducted the researcher can reflect and
find other better alternatives to find a solution to overcome the educational
problematics in teaching and learning.
The finding from the study will hopefully answer a few questions and create
awareness on the importance of observation. The researcher hopes that this study
can be used as a guide and assist teachers of ESL to overcome problems related to
teaching vocabulary.Thus,the researcher hopes that the materials, models, methods,
and strategies can be improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning in the
classroom.