HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE USE OF A SYNONYM AND ANTONYM DICTIONARY IN LEARNING VOCABULARY

Abstract

This paper presents some major findings of a recent research study conducted in a high school in Bac Giang province. One of the objectives of the study is to scrutinize the students’ attitudes towards the use of a synonym and antonym dictionary for learning vocabulary. In order to achieve this objective, the researchers used action research as the methodology of the study. The cycle of the research consists of four steps, namely, planning, implementing, observing and reflecting the action. Questionnaires and interviews were utilized as the research instruments of data collection. The data collected and generated from these two instruments were analyzed, computerized and synthesized both qualitatively and quantitatively. The results show that, most students expose positive attitudes, high appreciation and good behavior to the use of the synonym and antonym dictionary to learn vocabulary, and are willing to introduce this technique to others in their school and in other schools. From these initial positive results, the researchers suggest that high school teachers should use synonym and antonym dictionaries more often in their teaching English, especially teaching vocabulary.