Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
1. Introduction 2-8
2. Focus of Investigation/Issue of concern 8-15
3. Objective/Research Question 16
4. Target group/ Participants 16
5. Recommended Action 17-24
6. Implementing Plan of Action 24-25
7. References 26-27
8. Appendix 28-
1
IPG KAMPUS ILMU KHAS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Ellis (2006) has stated that there are several studies that shown that
instructed learners who get more form-focused grammar teaching achieve better
results and progress faster than those who do not get the same form-focused
grammar teaching. That is why second language users have lots of error in using
language. Therefore, we can conclude that grammar teaching plays an essential
role in second language acquisition. The teacher must able to identify which
grammar points to focus on and how to teach it to his/her students. When
develop activities for pupils, teacher should look into the pupil’s knowledge and
most common errors (Ellis, 2006). Most of the pupils do not have strong
foundation in Grammar especially in subject-verb agreement. This is why it is
important to detect errors made by them and analyse student’s most common
errors in order to help them improve their English in term of grammar point and
acquire a higher level of grammatical knowledge.
2
In Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Rendah (KBSR), grammar was taught
implicitly and grammar module is not included in the teaching, but in Kurikulum
Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR), grammar was taught separately and
explicitly, whereas the module is provided in the ‘Dokumen Standard Kurikulum
dan Pentaksiran’. Teaching of Grammar in KSSR was taught explicitly for Year 3
pupils till Year 5 for the year of 2015. For year 1 and year 2 pupils for KSSR,
grammar was taught overtly to introduce pupils to basic grammar rules. Besides
that, we teach grammar overtly in year 1 and year 2 so that they engage in a fun
technique and develop their interest in learning grammar. Chitravelu et al., (2005)
stated that grammatical errors that go uncorrected become fossilized and lead to
inappropriate use of grammatical items. This proved that grammar teaching
should be taught to the students repeatedly so that the students will be able to
use grammar correctly and they can correct their own mistake in using grammar.
In KSSR Year 4 Dokumen Standard Kurikulum dan Pentaksiran (DSKP),
grammar should be taught in context as well as explicitly so that pupils learn the
rules of grammar and how to apply these rules in speech and writing. Here, we
see subject verb agreement as an important element of grammar area that helps
pupils to meet the objective of the curriculum. Subject verb agreement can also
be seen as a completion to all of grammar aspects and also in all the skills
involve in English language learning. The use of subject verb agreement can
influence one’s communicating skills as well as in other skills. If there is wrong
using of subject verb agreement, the interpreter cannot get the message that the
speaker or the writer wants to convey or they may misinterpret the meaning of
the message. Winer (2015) stated that to communicate clearly in the English
language, we have to match a singular subject with a singular verb and a plural
subject with a plural verb.
3
I have encounter 3 different backgrounds of students in 3 different
schools and there are quite a number of pupils who can use English very
well. However, the pupils have a lot of problem in grammar, especially in
using Subject-Verb Agreement. Based on my observation during teaching
and learning process in SK Taman Rakan, I found that my pupils have
difficulties in using subject-verb agreement. In their writing task (appendix
1), I found that they are able to convey the message, but they are
struggling to use the correct subject verb agreement and sometimes, the
structure of their sentences makes the interpreter to misinterpret their
message and get confused easily. This means, my pupils have a bit
fluency both in speaking and writing, but they could not use the subject
verb agreement rules correctly equivalent to their speaking and writing
skill mentioned. My students are from Year 5 Hazim, which is the best
class in SK Taman Rakan. Year 5 Hazim consists of 37 pupils. They came
from families of the middle and upper socio-economic status and some of
them even use English in the daily conversation with their family members
and friend. There were 28 Malay students, 1 Chinese student and 8 Indian
students (appendix 2). Based on my observation during teaching, I found
that some of Year 5 Hazim pupils especially the Malay pupils are using
direct-translation method in English and mostly when doing their tasks.
The use of subject verb agreement becomes the main problem
encountered by the pupils across the classes. This problem occurs in both
speaking and writing. This error may bring negative impacts on the pupils
in which they will have low self-esteem in speaking and they cannot
perform well in writing.
4
The main theory derive this research is behaviourism. John B.
Watson (1878-1958) and B. F. Skinner (1904-1990) originate the theory of
behaviourist approaches in learning. Watson believed that human
behaviour resulted from specific stimuli that produced certain responses.
Watson's basic idea was that conclusions about human development
should be based on observation of overt behaviour rather than assumption
about subconscious motives or covert cognitive processes (Shaffer,
2000). As a behaviorist, learning takes place when knowledge is divided
into smaller parts. Students are rewarded for correct answers. Instruction
focuses on conditioning the learner's behavior. Learning involves
repetition and association and is highly mechanical. Behaviorist leaning
teachers focus on a new behavioral pattern being repeated until it
becomes automatic. Chomsky in Chitravelu et al. (2005) stated that
language learning is an active process in which the learners continuously
thinking and relate the thinking process with the new information, find and
discover the fundamental rules as well as the applications of the rules.
The pupils have to apply correct grammatical rule and look closely
to the choices of words. The pupils were second language users and they
have difficulties in dealing with correct sentences by using correct Subject-
Verb Agreement rules because they use their mother tongue (Bahasa
Melayu) in their daily conversation and they are not familiar with the rules
because in Malay Language, there are no such rules as Subject-Verb
Agreement. As an example:
Chaya mandi di sungai.
(singular subject) (verb) (expansion)
5
Wijayasuria (1998), as cited from Surina Nayan (2009), proved that
learners who use Bahasa Melayu as their first medium of instruction have
difficulty in Subject-Verb agreement because Bahasa Melayu does not
discriminate between person and it is not compulsory that the verb must
agree with the subject. But, in English, the subject (person) needs to be
complimenting to the verb because if not, it can create confusions among
the pupils. This will lead to error and doing mistakes in writing. Even
though the pupils were introduced to grammar and subject-verb
agreement since primary school, they still have the problem to distinguish
the real meaning of subject-verb agreement. It may be because the
teacher teaches grammar in isolation and did not give the pupils wide
range of example and they did not explain much about that.
6
for English language outlined by the Curriculum Development Center
(Ministry of Education, 2000).
7
Since songs can be memorise easily and helps in motivating children in
many ways, they may establish a powerful subculture in learning process.
A teacher should make use songs in all stages of teaching
grammar. Songs can be used for the presentation or the practice stage
after grammar lesson. They may motivate pupils in listening, and motivate
creativity and used of imagination and to create a relax classroom
atmosphere. When selecting songs, the teacher should consider pupils’
age, pupils’ interest, and the language being used in the song and the
appropriateness of the song lyrics. To enhance pupils learning, it is also
beneficial to allow pupils to take part in the selection of the songs. By
using songs to teach subject verb agreement, the teacher has already
able to add variety to the lesson, increase pupils’ motivation and extends
their attention span in the classroom during lesson.
8
misinterpretation of the ideas the pupils want to convey. It is importance for the
pupils to understand the subject-verb agreement rules. They are always
confused with the rules because in their daily lives, they often use Malay
Language which does not apply the same rules where it does not require the
verb to always agree with the subject when creating sentences. Lack of
knowledge about the subject verb agreement rules in learning somehow lowered
the student’s motivation to learn the language.
9
document analysis method and diagnostic test were used to identify the
problem in pupils in using subject-verb agreement.
2.2.1 Interview
10
2.2.3 Test (Pre-test)
After both methods carried out with the pupils, final method
was taken into a measure that is doing the test for the remaining
pupils that have been identified before (appendix 3). The diagnostic
test is conducted to narrow the number of participant selected. 2
writing test were carried out for the pupils to select the final six
pupils to carry out the investigation.
11
excluded in taking part in the research. The six pupils were chosen so that
attention and focus can be given to each pupil when applying the
intervention.
Six criteria has been analysed to carry out this investigation. The
criteria are as below:
2.4.1 Administrability
2.4.2 Significance
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Teachers will take an initiative to use songs to teach subject verb
agreement. Teachers can change or adapt the songs or teaching
style to suit the needs of the pupils. When the teacher starts to use
songs for teaching, pupils will be more attracted towards learning
and feel motivated to learn and improve their academic
achievement. The school will also get the benefits as it develops
the school’s academic performance.
The intervention help pupils to use correct subject verb
agreement rules in learning. That means using correct use of
subject-verb agreement rules are necessary to help pupils to
achieve perfection in every skill. This study can be a starting point
for other teachers to make use of songs to teach subject-verb
agreement in their class later or to teach other grammar point as
well. Besides that, this strategy of using songs also helps to build
teacher-students relationship, increase pupils’ motivation, and
helps in using correct rules of subject verb agreement. Use of
repetitive words in songs in the intervention helps pupils to engage
in a fun way of learning subject verb agreement and help them to
remember the rules better.
2.4.3 Practicality
As said by Rosová (2007), “we are not sure why songs are
powerful, but from a personal angle they are”. Songs have provided
pupils with a comfortable atmosphere and help them learn English,
their target language better. To make the intervention more
practical and to attract pupils, they should be given chances to
choose their own suitable songs. Songs are practical because it
can be easily downloaded from the internet and costs-free tools for
both teachers and pupils. There are certain songs that can be use;
and some are not. To overcome this, adaptation is a better choice
in providing pupils better view of subject verb agreement. Bella
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(2002) claims that familiar songs can be taken and replace several
words to suit the pupils need. The songs can be adapted to be
used in other activities. It helps pupils to memorise difficult
vocabulary and it make pupils engage with the lesson.
2.4.4 Control
2.4.5 Collaboration
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2.4.6 Relevance to school
Subject-Verb Agreement: Siti Hamin et al. (2010) stated that subject and
verbs are the two important elements that complement each other in
producing complete and correct sentence. Subject verb agreement is a
grammar rules which requires the subject to agree with the verb.
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3.0 OBJECTIVE / RESEARCH QUESTIONS
This study involves pupils from primary five pupils from Year 5 Hazim from
SK Taman Rakan. There were 37 pupils in the classroom. Year 5 Hazim consists
of eight Indian pupils, one Chinese pupil and 28 Malay pupils. My target group is
6 pupils from Year 5 Hazim. The six pupils were chosen as they have shown lots
of errors and wrong use of subject verb agreement in their written exercises and
the diagnostic test (appendix 1 and 3). This action research employed
quantitative and qualitative research specifically quasi-experimental since I have
limited time and resources to deal with the subject and it might distracting the on-
going teaching and learning process. Data were collected from a set of pre-test
and post-test questions answered by target group or the target subject and by
the observation during class time. The data was also collected from the pupil’s
written exercises and based on the interview with the teacher.
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5.0 RECOMMENDED ACTION
17
pupils’ knowledge on subject-verb agreement. Based on Kemmis &
McTaggart (2005), a spiral or cyclical of self-reflecting cycles
involved steps as mentioned:
Planning a change
Acting and observing the process and consequences
of the change
Reflecting on the process and consequences
Replanning
Acting and observing again
Reflecting again
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Method of data
Phase Action taken collections
Plan A pre - test (appendix 1) carried Interview
Identify the aspect out in order to see the initial Document Analysis
of teaching and performance of the pupils before Diagnostic test
learning practice to the intervention.
be improved. There will be 3 sessions of the
Collect and intervention to ensure that the
analyse data. pupils will have enough time for
A pre - test practice as well as drilling before
(appendix 1) the post test.
3 sessions of the One song (Appendix 6) used in
intervention. order to expose the pupils to
One song correct use of subject verb
(Appendix 2) used agreement.
Date: 4th-13th of
February 2015
Act
The intervention The intervention process will start Songs
process start. with the pupils reading the songs Exercises
Pupils will sing the lyric provided for them.
song. Pupils will sing the song.
Teach the subject Explain subject verb agreement in
verb agreement. more detail to the pupils by
Task given to the teaching pupils to identify the
pupils. subject as well as the verb used by
Drilling giving some examples and using
Second session, new substitution table.
song with SVA errors. Task given (appendix 7) for the
Data collected pupils where they will have to
identify the subject and verb in the
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At the end of the lyric of the song.
cycle one, pupils will Pupils will be drilled by using all
be given a post-test the verbs found in the lyric to
Interview construct simple sentences.
Conduct and In 3rd session, new song (appendix
implement the plan 6) with some subject verb
within a time frame. agreement errors will be used
where the pupils need to identify
Date: 16th-27th of and make the correction.
February 2015 At the end of the cycle one, pupils
will be given a post-test as to see
their progress.
Pupils were interviewed involved
individually as data collection.
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Analyse the data and improvement for the next cycle.
findings from the Reflect the activity whether it is a
observation success or not and I have to identify
Implement an weaknesses and strengths from the
improved activity activity.
Report writing Modification to the activity need to
be done if the outcomes do not
th th
Date: 20 -24 April meet the specification of the
research and the same cycle will be
repeated.
21
exercise books and I’m going through all the exercise given
by me or the previous teacher.
22
were presented separately because in the table, the data of changes in
pupils about subject verb agreement can be seen clearly. Finally, for
interview method, both interviews were conducted at the end of each
session, in which either cycles or sessions, the questions are almost
similar. I use similar questions because it helps me to interpret better data
at the end of cycle 2.
23
Interview will be carried out at the end of each session. This
method attempts to answer the second research question. The
interview questions are focusing on the pupils’ perception as well as
to measure the effectiveness of using the songs in learning subject
verb agreement. The interview will be semi-structured so that pupils
will feel comfortable and not tied to voice out their opinions and
views regarding the songs used to measure their use of subject verb
agreement. The interview questions will be prepared early and the
pupils’ answers will be recorded.
N Date Action
o
1 16/02/15 – Identify issue to be improved in Year 5 Hazim.
27/02/15 Teacher tries to identify the language problem
faced by the pupils by observing the interactions
of the pupils.
Carried out the preliminary investigation on the
issue identified.
Collecting and analysing data about the issue.
Designing an intervention for the observed
problem.
2 02/03/15 – Constructing data collection tools and
06/03/15 intervention.
Teacher carried out grammar lessons by using
intervention tools for the first session.
Teacher carried out grammar lessons by using
the intervention tools for the second session.
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Teacher carried out grammar lessons by suing
the intervention tools for the third session.
3 09/03/15 – Teacher collects and analyses the data.
13/03/15 Reflection on action taken
6.2 Budget
My budget is as below:
25
REFERENCES
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Bahiyah Abdul Hamid & Basil Wijayasuria. (1998) English Grammar for Malaysians.
Bangi: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Dorn, D. (2000). Building Essays: A reader centered writing guide: New Jersey: prentice
Hall.
Chitravelu, N, Sithamparam, S., & The, S.C. (2001). ELT Methodology: Principles and
Practice. Selangor: Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd.
MOE. (n.d). Year 4 Dokumen Standard Kurikulum dan Pentaksiran. Retrieved February
10th, 2015, from http://www.kssronline.com/p/kssr.html
Idek, S., Fong, L., & Sidhu, G. K. (2013). The Use of Consciousness-Raising Tasks in
Learning and Teaching Subject-Verb Agreement. English Language Teaching, 6(6),
p113.
Foster, E. (2006). The Value of songs and chants for young learners. Encuentro, 16, 63-
68.
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Chitravelu, N. et. at (2005). ELT Methodology: Principles and Practice. Selangor: Fajar
Bakti.
Lo, R. & Fai Li, H. C. (1998). Songs enhance learner involvement. English Teaching
FORUM, 36/3:8-11
Nuttall, C. (1996). Selecting Text. In Underhill, A. (5 th ed.). Teaching Reading Skills: In Foreign
Language (pp 170). United Kingdom: Macmillan Education
Kemmis, S., & McTaggart, R, (2005). Communicative action and the public sphere,
Denzin, NK & Lincoln, YS (red.), The Sage Handbook of qualitative research, 3, 559-
603.
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Table 1 Selection Process of Participants
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