DR. SEUSS IN EFL CLASSROOM: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF ELEMENTARY ENGLISH TEACHING IN TAIWAN

• Main Authors: TSUI-CHUAN, LIAO, 廖翠娟
• Other Authors: Dr. Ming Cherng Duh
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/wgfc9p

博士 === 國立臺東大學 === 兒文所 === 105 === Abstract Literature-based material has not been explored or implemented in a public whole school system in Taiwan’s EFL classroom since 2001. Public elementary schools have used traditional English textbooks for almost two decades. This experimental study aims to explore using Dr. Seuss’s books as English teaching material in a whole school’s English Curriculum and to investigate the English learning effectiveness between using Dr. Seuss’s picture books and the Kang Hsuan English textbooks. Next, this study investigates the students’ attitudes toward using Dr. Seuss’s books and the Kang Hsuan English textbooks in learning English. The study used both the quantitative and qualitative methods. The subjects contained 102 students in Taitung County Baosang Elementary School from Grade 3, Grade 4, and Grade 5. The experimental period of teaching programs was two months and the observational period lasted for five months. The findings were as follows: The experimental group who used Dr. Seuss’s books in English Curriculum had better English learning effectiveness compared to the control group who used the Kang Hsuan English textbooks. The experimental group had more positive attitudes toward using Dr. Seuss’s books compared to the Kang Hsuan English textbooks. The students in Grade 4 and Grade 5 preferred Dr. Seuss’s books as learning material compared to the Kang Hsuan English textbooks. The students in the experimental group were more engaged in learning English and were more confident in speaking English to foreigners in a foreign language environment. Also, the students showed their passion and love for Dr. Seuss’s books. The observational results also showed that the students were positively affected by Dr. Seuss’s imagination and creativity. Based on the findings, this study suggests that Dr. Seuss’s books should be used in English Curriculum design in teaching students’ English literacy. This study also suggests a need for professional development on the role of literature in the education of young children. Implications for English educators and teachers were proposed in this study for reference.