Identifying binary opposites to enhance students' comprehension in poetry: a quasi experimental research in an ESL upper secondary school

Rachel, Keling Kebing (2005) Identifying binary opposites to enhance students' comprehension in poetry: a quasi experimental research in an ESL upper secondary school. [Final Year Project Report / IMRAD] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

In the year 2000, the literature component was established as a minor component in the Malaysian English syllabus as part of an effort to raise the declining standards of English among students. Since the implementation, it has been officially included in the Lower Secondary Assessment (Penilaian Menengah Rendah) and Malaysia School Certificate (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia). The curriculum states that language for aesthetic purposes enables learners to use the English language to enjoy literary texts at a level suited to their language proficiency and develops in them the ability to express themselves creatively. This study investigates the effects of identifying binary opposites incorporated in the teaching activities on students' comprehension of poetry. The samples used were 60 Form Four students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Batu Lintang, Kuching. The participants were divided into two equal groups consisting of one treatment group and one controlled group. The participants from the treatment group were given activities that incorporated binary opposites while the controlled groups were given language based tasks. The instruments of this study included the pre test and post test, students' journal and observation checklist. These instruments were designed based on three main objectives which were, "the extent of identifying binary opposites on students' comprehension of poetry", "how discovering binary opposites enhance students' comprehension of poetry and "the strengths and weaknesses of identifying binary opposites in the teaching of poetry". It was found that students' post test scores increased significantly after going through the experimental treatment. An analysis of the students' journal as well as the observation confirmed that binary opposites had a positive effect on students' comprehension of poetry.

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