UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA THE USE OF ENGLISH THEMATIC MODULE IN ENHANCING STUDENT S WRITING SKILLS IN ENGLISH Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment o f the requirements for the degree of Master of Education (TESL) Faculty of Education July 2012
DECLARATION I hereby declare that the work in this dissertation is my o\vn except for quotation and summaries, which have been properly acknowledged. 3 I st JULY 2012 2008595071 DATE Saya mengaku bahawa kajian kes ini adalah hasil kerja dan usaha saya sendiri kecuali nukilan dan ringkasan yang setiap satunya telah saya jelaskan sumbemya. 31st JULY 2012 2008595071 DATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Thanks are due first to my beloved supervisor, Associate Prof Dr Nor Aziah binti Alias~Tor her great insights, perspectives, guidance and sense of humor in making this dissertation possible. I would also like to grab this opportunity to convey my heartfelt gratitude to my parents, my friends Mr. Ahmad Saifuddin Bin Che Azhar, Puan Rahmawati Binti Othman and Puan Marina Binti Muhammad who have contributed their effort and time in helping me prepared this report and not forgetting all the valid responses they have returned. Their support, encouragement and cooperation will never be forgotten. I could not have made it without their support. I am sure that this valuable dissertation will not only provide a variety of information and suggestions, but also to help for teachers and students of other school to help them in their teaching and learning process. Last but not by the mean least, thank you to Allah the almighty for giving me the strength and the power to complete this study.
ABSTRACT This study investigated the use of English Thematic Module as one of the teaching strategies that have been suggested to be an effective method which could help students improve their English writing performance. This study is mainly focused on the level two students and as_. many as 27 of them were chosen through purposive sample of method for this case study. They were preparing themselves for their UPSR examination. Their performance was based on their last year's final year examination results. Take Off Value test (TOV) and Operational Target Incremental l(oti I). They were observed for three years from 2008 until 2011. All data obtained from the questionnaires and interviews were analyzed respectively. This study was also implemented to assist primary school teachers get a clear picture on how effective cooperative learning strategy can be used as a teaching method in an English Language classroom. The instrumentation used was questionnaires, which was given to both selected teachers and students to explore their sensitivity towards the use of English Thematic Module as an effective teaching method in the classroom. Generally, via the findings, it is concluded that most of the samples showed their positive attitude and perceptions towards the use of English Thematic Module and they had come to an agreement of supporting the program as well. The findings suggest that the use of English thematic module is a relevant and applicable writing program that could be organized in the classroom in order to improve students writing skills.
ABSTRAK Kajian ini menyiasat pengunaan Modul Bertema Bahasa Inggeris sebagai salah satu strategi pengajaran yang merupakan satu kaedah yang berkesan yang telah dicadangkan untuk meningkatkan lagi kemahiran menulis dalam Bahasa Inggeris pelajar-pelajar. Kajian ini memfokuskan kepada pelajar-pelajar tahap dua dan seramai 27 orang daripada mereka telah dipilih melalui persampelan bertujuan untuk kajian ini. Para pelajar ini sedang mempersiapkan diri mereka dengan peperiksaan UPSR. Prestasi mereka diukur berdasarkan keputusan Peperiksaan Akhir Tahun mereka tahun lepas, Take Off Value ( TOV ) dan Pengoperasian Peningkatan Target 1 ( OT1 1). Mereka telah dipantau selama tiga tahun dari tahun 2008 sehinggalah 2011. Kajian ini juga dilaksanakan untuk membantu guru-guru sekolah rendah untuk mendapatkan satu gambaran yang jelas berkenaan dengan tajuk kajian ini yang boleh diguna pakai sebagai salah satu kaedah dalam pengajaran Bahasa Inggeris di dalam bilik darjah. Borang soal selidik yang telah diberikan kepada guru-guru serta pelajar yang terpilih adalah bertujuan untuk mendalami sensitiviti mereka terhadap pengunaan Modul Bertema Bahasa Inggerissabagai salah satu kaedah pengajaran yang berkesan di dalam bilik darjah. Secara umumnya, melalui dapatan hasilan, ianya dapatlah disimpulkan bahawa kebanyakkan pelajar telah menunjukkan sikap positif dan persepsi mereka terhadap penggunaan Modul Bertema Bahasa Inggeris daan mereka juga telah menyokong program ini. Dapatan hasilan juga menunjukkan bahawa penggunaan Modul Bertema Bahasa Inggeris adalah satu pgram yang relevan dan boleh diterima pakai yang mana ianya boleh digunakan di dalam bilik darjah untuk meningkatkan kemahiran menulis pelajar-pelajar. v