Storytelling이 초등학생의 어휘력 향상에 미치는 효과

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of storytelling on the development of vocabulary ability of elementary school students. The method of using a storybook, which has a positive effect on teaching the mother tongue, can be effective in teaching English also. Literature is highly valued in itself, yet we can expect creations of more productive value if its good points are used for language teaching. Children have a constant need for stories and they will always be willing to listen to or to read. Stories help children become aware of the general ‘feel’ and sound of the foreign language. This study was carried out over 6 weeks. Subjects in the study were 32(18 males/14 females) 2nd grade elementary school students. Three English story books, which were ‘Big fat hen’, ‘Let’s go visiting.’ and ‘Can you keep a secret?’, were taught for this study. To measure English achievement of students, before each storytelling started they had pre-test, and after storytelling ended they had a post -test. Statistical analyses were performed with KESS(Korean Educational Statistical System) dependent-samples t-test. Judging from this result, it is obvious that using storytelling can be a good aid for teaching English vocabulary. And in this way, we can provide children with more interesting study materials. Storytelling can be an effective method for encouraging English learning for children. More investigation of storytelling may make it possible for us to define more detailed benefits of storytelling techniques. In Korea, students have little opportunities to experience real English in use. But they can overcome EFL environmental constraints by studying to English stories. Therefore English stories should be widely used in elementary school.