APPENDICES

Pupils’ Worksheets (that contain errors) Appendix A

87

88

Transcript of Unstructured Interview with English Teacher Appendix B

Interviewee: Madam Yip Lee, English teacher of Year 5 Pluto

Me : Hi, Madam Yip.

Teacher : Hi, Miss Lee.

Me : Madam Yip, can I ask you for more information and details about

5 Pluto?

Teacher : Yes definitely. What do you want to know about it?

Me : Hmm, how do you find the academic performance of 5 Pluto pupils? Do

they have any specific area of weakness in English?

Teacher : I see. Hmm.. This is also the first time I’m teaching that class. Even

though 5 Pluto is the first class, there are a number of pupils who are

much weaker as compared with the rest of the class. Sometimes, I

think they should not be placed into the first class. Perhaps they have

better performance in other subjects.

Me : Oh I see.

Teacher : I notice that some pupils are weak in tenses. For example, they do not

know that after a singular subject, an ‘s’ should be placed at the end of

the verb.

Me : I see! I actually found that problem in their worksheets too. I also found

out that they do not know use past tense verb if they are talking about

something that happened in the past. Do you face the same problem too?

Teacher : Oh yes! Most of the pupils do not know that they should actually use

past tense when appropriate.

Me : What do you think the reason is behind this problem?

Teacher : Most probably, I think it is because they seldom use the language. Even

in my class, they do not speak in English.

Me : So is there any ways that you use to make them speak English in the

classroom?

89

Teacher : Yes. I told the class that they will be fined if they do not speak English

in

the class. This is quite useful though as they will control themselves

and aware with their language used. However, I do not really collect

the fine from them. I am afraid that their parents will complain about it.

Me : Okay, so is there anything that I need to be specially attentive about in

the class?

Teacher : There are a few pupils who are really weak in the classroom. They are x,

y and z.

Me : Okay noted.

Teacher : Oh, there are also a few pupils who are kind of naughty. That would be

the real headache. There are some who are really talkative too. You

need to be stern to be able to control them.

Me : Okay madam. Thanks so much for you info.

Teacher : No problems. Alright, good luck to you! And I hope that you will have a

great time teaching them.

Me : Haha thank you madam!

Teacher : Okay I need to enter class now. Will talk to you later okay?

Me : Okay madam Yip. See you later.

Teacher : See you.

90

Diagnostic Test Appendix

C

Fill in the blanks with correct answer

91

Verb Past Tense

begin

blow

buy

bring

catch

draw

grow

hear

know

say

sing

sit

send

sleep

throw

Pupils’ diagnostic test results Appendix C1

92

Participant A: 1/15

Participant B: 4/15

93

Participant C: 8/15

Participant D: 2/15

94

Participant E: 2/15

Layout of Irregupoly Game Appendix D

95

Printed empty table of verb tenses

Table for marks recording purpose

96

Pre-tests and Post-tests Appendix E

Cycle 1 Pre-test

Name: Class:

Fill in the blanks with correct answer by using simple past tense.

One day, the hare and the tortoise decided to have a race. The

hare ______________ (think) that he ______________ (can) run faster than the

tortoise. However, the tortoise ______________ (is) more intelligent than the

hare. 'Yes, I'll race you,' ______________ (say) the clever tortoise. 

The tortoise ______________ (have) a clever plan. He

______________ (tell) his friends to wait at different places along the path of

the race. All of them ______________ (hide) behind the trees along the path. 

Then, the race ______________ (begin)! The hare  ______________ (run)

faster than the tortoise. Then, the hare ______________ (go) to have a rest and

he quickly ______________ (fall) asleep at the side of the road.

Suddenly, the hare ______________ (wake) up and he

______________ (see) a tortoise ahead of him! The hare overtook the tortoise

easily. As the hare happily ______________ (come) around the last corner

before the finish line, the tortoise crossed the line and ______________ (win)

the race!

97

Cycle 1 Post-test

Name: Class:

Fill in the blanks with correct answer by using simple past tense.

One day, a lion ______________ (is) sleeping in the forest. A little mouse

came upon him unexpectedly. The mouse ______________ (feel) scared. When

the mouse was trying to run away, he ______________ (wake) the lion up. The

angry lion ______________ (catch) the little mouse with his huge paw.

The mouse ______________ (speak) to the lion. "Spare me!"

______________ (say) the mouse. "Please let me go and some day I will surely

repay you.” The Lion ______________ (become) amused. He

______________ (think) that a mouse ______________ (can) never help him.

However, he let the mouse go.

Some days later, the lion was trapped in a net. Unable to free himself,

the lion ______________ (bite) the net with anger. The mouse recognised the

voice and he ______________ (see) the lion in the net. With much effort, the

mouse managed to free the lion. The lion ______________ (get) out from the

net and thanked the mouse.

"I ______________ (tell) you that I will help you. You laughed when we

______________ (meet) last time," said the mouse. "Now you see that I

______________ (keep) my promise and helped you!"

98

Cycle 2 Pre-test

Name: Class:

Fill in the blanks with correct answer by using simple past tense.

During the holidays, my family and I decided to go to the seaside. We

______________ (bring) a lot of food along. We ______________ (do) a lot of

interesting activities there. For example, we ______________ (wear) our

swimming suits and ______________ (swim) in the sea. Besides, we

______________ (make) a moat around the sand castle. Before the sun set, we

______________ (ride) our bikes near the beach. When we were riding our

bikes, we ______________ (sing) songs.

Azam and Mawan ______________ (are) email pals. Mawan

______________ (grow) up in Kedah. During the holidays, Azam ______________

(take) bus to Kedah to visit Mawan. He ______________ (choose) Malaysia

Airlines to fly there. When Azam reached Kedah, Mawan ______________

(drive) him around to show him the city. They ______________ (spend) some

good time together during the trip. After a week, Mawan ______________

(send) Azam back to the airport. Azam ______________ (will) visit Mawan

again in the future.

99

Cycle 2 Post-test

Name: Class:

Fill in the blanks with correct answer by using simple past tense.

During the holidays, Fatimah and her family ______________ (go) to

Malacca for their vacation. She They ______________ (bring) her favourite dool

with her. They ______________ (do) a lot of interesting activities there. For

example, they ______________ (take) a trishaw to look around the town.

Fatimah ______________ (choose) the most colourful trishaw. They also

______________ (sing) along on the trishaw. Fatimah ______________ (spend)

some good time together with her family during the trip.

However, during the holidays, when Izzati was sitting on the couch,

she ______________ (hear) a loud noise. Then, someone ______________ (ring)

the doorbell. She quickly ______________ (rise) from the couch and opened the

door. A boy ______________ (stand) at the entrance. He told Izzati that he

______________ (break) her house’s window when he ______________ (throw) a

ball to his friend. Izzati ______________ (forgive) him and he ______________

(leave).

100

Survey Appendix F

Cycle 1 Survey

Survey:

Participants’ perception on the use of Irregupoly Game in learning

irregular past tense.

Questions Response

1. Do you like the game? Yes No

2. Do you enjoy the game?

3. Do you think the game is interesting? Yes No

4. When playing the game, do you like to work in

group?

Yes No

5. When playing the game, do you like to work

individually?

Yes No

6. Are you confident in completing the irregular

past tense task sheet now?

Yes No

7. Do you think the use of Irregupoly Game help

you in learning irregular past tense better?

Yes No

101

Cycle 2 Survey

Survey:

Participants’ perception on the use of Irregupoly Game in learning

irregular past tense.

Questions Response

1. Do you like the game? Yes No

2. Do you enjoy the game? Yes No

3. Do you think the game is interesting? Yes No

4. Do you think that you learn better with this

game?

Yes No

5. Are you confident in completing the irregular

past tense task sheet now?

Yes No

6. Are you confident that you would use irregular

past tense correctly in the future?

Yes No

7. Do you think the improved Irregupoly Game

helps you better in learning irregular past

tense?

Yes No

102

Semi-structured Interview Appendix G

Questions in the interview in Cycle 1

1. Do you like and enjoy the Irregupoly Game we played in the class? Why?

2. Have you ever played a similar game like this before this?

3. When playing the game, do you like to work in group? Why?

4. After you have played the game, are you confident when you are asked to complete

the task sheet? Why?

5. Do you think this game help u better in learning irregular past tense? Why?

Questions in the interview in Cycle 2

1. Do you like and enjoy the Irregupoly Game we played in the class? Why?

2. Which game do you prefer, the one before this or this one? Why?

3. Now, do you think you are now confident in completing the task sheet? Why?

4. Are you now confident that you would use irregular past tense correctly in the

future? Why?

103

Transcript of Semi-structured Interview Appendix H

Cycle 1

Semi- structured Group Interview:

Participant A

Me : Now, I have a few questions to ask you. Okay?

Participant A : OK Miss Lee

Me : Okay, first, do you like and enjoy the Irregupoly Game we

played in the class?

Participant A : Yes.

Me : So, why do you like the game?

Participant A : Because it is fun.

Me : Okay… Have you ever played a similar game like this before

this?

Participant A : No…

Me : When playing the game, do you like to work in group?

Participant A : No!

Me : Oh? Okay, why don’t you like working in group?

Participant A : Because if I write the answer slow, my friends will scold me.

Me : Now, after you have played the game, are you confident when

you are asked to complete the task sheet?

Participant A : Yes!

Me : Why do you say so?

Participant A : Because before this I don’t know the answer. But now I know

the answer.

Me : So do you think this game help u better in learning irregular past

tense?

Participant A : Yes…

Me : Why?

Participant A : Because I can answer after I play the game. Before this I don’t

104

like irregular past tense

Me : Why?

Participant A : Because it is hard and I always wrong..

105

Participant B

Me : First, do you like and enjoy the Irregupoly Game we played in

the class?

Participant B : YES!

Me : So, why do you like the game?

Participant B : Because it is fun!

Me : Alright! Have you ever played a similar game like this before

this?

Participant B : Nooo…

Me : When playing the game, do you like to work in group?

Participant B : No!

Me : Why? Why don’t you like working in group?

Participant B : Because I my friends all say different answer. I don’t know

which one to write.

Me : Now, after you have played the game, are you confident when

you are asked to complete the task sheet?

Participant B : Yes…

Me : Why do you say so?

Participant B : Don’t know~

Me : Hmm... So do you think this game help u better in learning

irregular past tense?

Participant B : Yes…

Me : Why?

Participant B : ……………..

106

Participant C

Me : Okay, first question, do you like and enjoy the Irregupoly Game

we played in the class?

Participant C : YES!

Me : So, why do you like the game?

Participant C : Because we can play! Because it is interesting!

Me : Have you ever played a similar game like this before this?

Participant C : Yes, my mom bought me a monopoly game last time. And I play

with my sister.

Me : When playing the game, do you like to work in group?

Participant C : No!

Me : Oh? Okay, why don’t you like working in group?

Participant C : Because we have to take turn.. we have to wait. I want to play.

Me : Now, after you have played the game, are you confident when

you are asked to complete the task sheet?

Participant C : Yes…

Me : Why do you say so?

Participant C : Because…because.. Because I can answer all correctly.

Me : So do you think this game help u better in learning irregular past

tense?

Participant C : Yes…

Me : Why?

Participant C : Because teacher won’t scold us if we answer wrong in the game.

And teacher will give us answer if we don’t know the answer.

107

Participant D

Me : Now, I have a few questions to ask all of you. Okay? Ready?

Participant D : Ready!

Me : Okay, first, do you like and enjoy the Irregupoly Game we

played in the class?

Participant D : YES!

Me : So, why do you like the game?

Participant D : Because it is interesting!

Me : Have you ever played a similar game like this before this?

Participant D : No.

Me : When playing the game, do you like to work in group?

Participant D : Yes...

Me : Why do you like working in group?

Participant D : Because if I don’t know the answer, my friends can tell me the

answer.

Me : Alright, now, after you have played the game, are you confident

when you are asked to complete the task sheet?

Participant D : Yes…

Me : Why do you say so?

Participant D : Because…uh…don’t know..

Me : So do you think this game help u better in learning irregular past

tense?

Participant D : Yes…

Me : Why?

Participant D : Don’t know!

108

Participant E

Me : Okay, the first question. Do you like and enjoy the Irregupoly

Game we played in the class?

Participant E : Yes.

Me : So, why do you like the game?

Participant E : Because it is exciting…and I can win!

Me : Alright...Have you ever played a similar game like this before

this?

Participant E : No.

Me : When playing the game, do you like to work in group?

Participant E : No!

Me : Oh? Why don’t you like working in group?

Participant E : Because I have to wait.. and if I answer wrongly, the others will

angry with me.

Me : Now, after you have played the game, are you confident when

you are asked to complete the task sheet?

Participant E : Yes…

Me : Why do you say so?

Participant E : (shrugs)

Me : Okay, let’s move on. So do you think this game help u better in

learning irregular past tense?

Participant E : Yes…

Me : Why?

Participant E : (shrugs)

109

Cycle 2

Semi- structured Group Interview:

Me : Okay everyone, see we have changed the way of playing the

Irregupoly Game right?

All Participants : Yes!

Me : Alright, now, I have a few questions to ask. Okay, number one,

do you like and enjoy the game?

All Participants : YES!

Me : Why do you like the game?

Participant A : Because it is fun and we can learn when we are playing.

Participant C : Same

Participant D : Because it is so fun! And I want to win in the game!

Me : Which game do you prefer, the one before this or this one?

All Participants : This one!

Me : Why?

Participant A : Because no body will scold me if I answer wrongly.

Participant B : Same..

Participant C : Because I can play for the whole day. Don’t have to wait for

other people.

Participant E : Yes!

Me : Participant D, I thought you liked playing this game in groups?

Why do you like it now when you have to play it individually?

Participant D : Because I know all the answers and I don’t need my friends to

help me. I am smart now!

Me : Alright. Good job! So now, do you think you are now confident

in completing the task sheet?

All Participants : Yes…

Me : Why?

Participant B : Because I can answer all the questions!

Participant D : Because I know the past tense for all the words.

110

Participant E : Agree!

Me : Good. So are you now confident that you would use irregular

past tense correctly in the future?

All Participants : YES!

Me : Why?

Participant A : Because irregular past tense is easy!

Participant D : Because it is easy.

Participant B : Because I know irregular past tense and my friends don’t know.

Participant E : Yes! And when people don’t know the answer, I can tell them

the answer.

111