English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents: (a) The background of the study; (b) Statement of the Problems; (c) The

objectives of the study; and (d) Significant of the study.

A. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Your understanding of what  you read and hear is, to a very large degree, determined by
your vocabulary, so improve your vocabulary daily.
~Zig Ziglar

The word communication is derived from the Latin word communicare, which

means to impart or participate. It is the participation implied in the origin of this word that

holds the key to success for anyone who would communicate by whatever means1.

Communication as a system of expression may be unspoken, spoken or written 2.

A spoken or written communication may be expressed by the use of word or group of

words having meaning id est vocabulary.

1
THE NEW INTERNATIONAL WEBSTER POCKET GRAMMAR, SPEECH & STYLE DICTIONARY
OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (United State of America, Trident Press International, 1998) p. v
2
Ibid.

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 English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

Vocabulary plays important role in language learning. Vocabulary is also an

essential skill for learning to read, speak, write and listen. Without sufficient vocabulary,

people cannot communicate and express their feeling both in form of spoken and written

effectively. The more people master vocabulary the more they can speak, write, read and

listen as they want. 3

Hence, learning vocabulary, particularly of the English language, becomes a

significant part of a student’s academic journey as he/she prepares himself/herself to venture

into the world of business or work for purposes of cross-country communication and as an

international auxiliary language.

Thornbury states that without grammar very little can be conveyed, without

vocabulary nothing can be conveyed. It means that even someone has good grammar but it

will be useless if they do not know many vocabularies 4.

In addition, Ur also said that vocabulary is one of important things to be taught in

learning foreign language because it will be impossible to speak up without variety of words.

Those statements imply the importance of teaching vocabulary as a foreign language 5.

3
Rohmatillah, A STUDY ON STUDENTS’ DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING VOCABULARY
4
Thornbury, Scott. 2002. How to Teach Vocabulary. London: Longman
5
Ur, Penny. 1996. A Course in Language Teaching, Practice and Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.

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 English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

B. PROBLEMS OF THE STUDY

The problems of the study are the following:

1. Is the knowledge of English vocabulary helps in development of self-confidence to the

Junior High School students?

2. What the methods of improving one’s knowledge of English vocabulary?

C. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Based on the problems of the study, the objectives of this study to determine

whether or not the knowledge of English vocabulary helps in the development of self-

confidence of junior high school student. Furthermore, assuming that such knowledge may

develop the student’s self-confidence, what are the methods of improving the knowledge

on English vocabulary.

D. SIGNIFANCE OF THE STUDY

Vocabulary is the first basic important aspect for learning English. By mastering

vocabulary, learners are able to communicate both orally and written well. Also, by

having a lot of vocabularies, the learners are hoped to master four skills in English such as

reading. speaking, writing, and listening.

Hence, learning the English vocabulary will help and boost the self-confidence

of junior high school students specially those who are about to embark into the new stage

of their academic journey towards the Senior High School. The researcher believed that

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English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

some of her fellow junior high school students have problems in both in oral and written

communication specially when using the English language and consequently affects their

ability to express their thoughts and ideas.

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 English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

DISCUSSION

A. VOCABULARY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE: The Power of Words in Improving

Self-esteem

A vocabulary is a set of familiar words within a person's language. A vocabulary,

usually developed with age, serves as a useful and fundamental tool

for communication and acquiring knowledge6.

Vocabulary refers to the words we must understand to communicate effectively.

Educators often consider four types of vocabulary: listening, speaking, reading, and

writing. Listening vocabulary refers to the words we need to know to understand what we

hear. Speaking vocabulary consists of the words we use when we speak. Reading

vocabulary refers to the words we need to know to understand what we read. Writing

vocabulary consists of the words we use in writing7.

6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocabulary
7
https://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/vocabulary

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English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

Vocabulary plays a fundamental role in the reading process, and contributes

greatly to a reader's comprehension. A reader cannot understand a text without knowing

what most of the words mean8.

Vocabulary is the core component of language proficiency and provides much of

the basis for how well learners speak, listen, read, and write.

Indeed, having knowledge of English vocabulary will help the learner choose the

write words when he/she speaks; a better and more correct conception on the messages

being conveyed to him/her; understand more fully of what he/she reads; and write

messages with accuracy on its meaning. Language influences our view of the world — it

shapes the relationships with people and things. Your words define how you see yourself 9

and language is understood by our knowledge of the vocabularies.

At present, the researcher observed that learning English vocabulary in school

becomes a struggle for a lot of students because students have problems in understanding

English grammar or they have inadequate knowledge of English grammar. The knowledge

of vocabulary must come hand in hand with the understanding of English grammar. One

cannot communicate properly using English language if he/she lacks either of the English

vocabulary or grammar. A  language is a structured system of communication. The

structure of a language is its grammar  and the free components are its vocabulary10.

Some Junior High School have trouble expressing their thoughts and ideas using spoken

and written words specifically when they express themselves in English language.

8
Ibid.
9
Gustavo Razzetti, 2018, https://www.fearlessculture.design/blog-posts/the-power-of-words-how-to-
improve-self-confidence
10
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language

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English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

In our schools, aside from Araling Panlipunan, Filipino and MAPEH, all subjects

are taught in English language. Hence, it is imperative that students have a good stock of

English vocabulary and rules of English grammar for him/her to be able to grasp the

lessons.

In learning English, having proficiency merely about grammar, vocabulary or

another component of language are not enough for being a successful learner. The

important thing, he must be able to apply it in a fluently real communication. Further

implementation, he can interact or participate appropriately with many people in the

societies. Additionally, inevitable fact that speaking is dominantly used for

communication in any aspects of our lives. Therefore, focusing on how to develop a

communicative proficiency, specifically in speaking skill is a crucial option which should

be considered nowadays11.

However, speaking is one of the challenging skills for the most English language

learners. It is one of productive skills which could be a parameter for someone in having a

successful learning English. Likewise in the working world, the ability of English

speaking will give an added value on someone’s performance professionally. But it is not

facile way for them to achieve a tittle as an eloquent speaker. As a general problem, a lot

of people have taken studying English for many years whereas some of those obtained

high grades in grammar or in English written tests, but in fact they are still unable to speak

English well. It might that they could understand what they hear or what they read

comprehensively but they still quite struggle how to express their mind orally12.
11
Nurmala Dewi, THE CORRELATION BETWEEN VOCABULARY MASTERY AND SELF ESTEEM
ON STUDENTS’ SPEAKING SKILL, 2018
(https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ae42/3ad42e5fd20abb1f7277562ce70df26ac33c.pdf)
12
Ibid.

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English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

In mastering English, especially speaking, the learners have to acquire either

some language components as their technical knowledge to construct the language and the

internal factors to support them in delivering it well. Vocabulary as one component of

language knowledge is considered as the most essential elements to build a language. It

has also been acknowledged that vocabulary knowledge is a good predictor of general

language proficiency. Some studies have revealed that a large and rich vocabulary can

improve learner’s ability to communicate properly. Otherwise, the lack of vocabulary

becomes a major problem in producing sentences, particularly for those students at the

earlier levels. They do not have enough words which causes less resource to construct the

sentences, even for basic utterances. Further, by lack vocabulary might prevent them to

speak fluently and become slowdown in interaction, although they have quite confidence

and enthusiastic in language learning13.

Moreover, self-esteem is a psychological and social phenomenon in which an

individual evaluates his/her competence and own self according to some values, which

may result in different emotional states, and which becomes developmentally stable but is

still open to variation depending on personal circumstances14.

Self-esteem is one of affective factors which has got many attentions in affecting

someone’s achievement especially in academic performance. Self-esteem is important

because it influences people’s choices and decisions. In other words, it is such a

motivational function that people will take care of themselves, explore their full potential

and persistently strive towards their goals and aspirations.

13
Ibid.
14
Rubio, Fernando. (2007). Self-Esteem and Foreign Language Learning. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars
Publishing

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 English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

B. IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE ON ENGLISH VOCABULARIES: Effective ways in

improving your English vocabulary

Learning how to build a better vocabulary can be a pleasurable. At least fifteen

minutes a day of concentrated study on a regular basis can bring about a rapid

improvement in your vocabulary skills, which in turn can increase your ability to

communicate by writing, conversing, or making speeches. Acquiring a large vocabulary

can benefit the learner not only for academically but also socially. It will enable the

learner to understand others’ ideas better and to have the satisfaction of getting his/her

thoughts and ideas across more effectively.

While there are not any magic shortcuts to learning words, it will be easier to

connect a new word with words you already know, and thus remember its meaning. So,

the learning speed, or pace, should increase as the learner’s vocabulary grows. The

following are four basic steps to building vocabulary:

1. BE AWARE OF WORDS15

Many people are surprised when they are told they have small
vocabularies. “But I read all the time!” they protest. This shows that reading
alone may not be enough to make you learn new words. When we read a
novel, for instance, there is usually a strong urge to get on with the story and
skip over unfamiliar or perhaps vaguely known words. But while it is
obvious when a word is totally unknown to you, you have to be especially
aware of words that seem familiar to you but whose precise meanings you
may not really know.

Instead of avoiding these words, you will need to take a closer look
at them. First, try to guess at a word’s meaning from its context—that is, the
sense of the passage in which it appears; second, if you have a dictionary on
hand, look up the word’s meaning immediately. This may slow down your
reading somewhat, but your improved understanding of each new word will
15
https://www.jocrf.org/effective-ways-to-build-your-vocabulary/

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English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

eventually speed your learning of other words, making reading easier. Make
a daily practice of noting words of interest to you for further study whenever
you are reading, listening to the radio, talking to friends, or watching
television.

2. READ16

When you have become more aware of words, reading is the next
important step to increasing your knowledge of words, because that is how
you will find most of the words you should be learning. It is also the best
way to check on words you have already learned. When you come across a
word you have recently studied, and you understand it, that proves you have
learned its meaning.

What should you read? Whatever interests you—whatever makes

you want to read. If you like sports, read the sports page of the newspapers;
read magazines like Sports Illustrated; read books about your favorite
athletes. If you are interested in interior decorating, read a magazine
like House Beautiful—read it, don’t just look at the photographs.

Often people with very low vocabularies don’t enjoy reading at all.
It’s more of a chore for them than a pleasure because they don’t understand
many of the words. If this is the way you feel about reading, try reading
easier things. Newspapers are usually easier than magazines; a magazine
like Reader’s Digest is easier to read than The Atlantic Monthly. There is no
point in trying to read something you simply are not able to understand or
are not interested in. The important idea is to find things to read you can
enjoy, and to read as often and as much as possible with the idea of learning
new words always in mind.

3. USE A DICTIONARY17

Most people know how to use a dictionary to look up a word’s

meaning. Here are some pointers on how to do this as a part of a
vocabulary-building program:

a. Have your own dictionary: Keep it where you usually do your

reading at home. You are more likely to use it if you do not have to
get it from another room. At work, there may be a good dictionary
available for your use. At home, most people do not have a big,
unabridged dictionary; however, one of the smaller collegiate
dictionaries would be fine to start with.

16
Ibid.
17
Ibid.

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English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

b. Circle the words you look up: After you have done this for a while,
your eye will naturally move to the words you have circled whenever
you flip through the dictionary. This will give you a quick form of
review.

c. Read the entire entry for the word you look up: Remember,
words can have more than one meaning, and the meaning you need
for the word you are looking up may not be the first one given in
your dictionary. Even if it is, the other meanings of the word will
help you understand the different ways the word is used. Also, the
word’s history, usually given near the beginning of the entry, can
often give a fascinating picture of the way the word has developed
its current meaning. This will add to the pleasure of learning the
word as well as help you remember it.

4. STUDY AND REVIEW REGULARLY18

Once you have begun looking up words and you know which ones
to study, vocabulary building is simply a matter of reviewing the words
regularly until you fix them in your memory. This is best done by setting
aside a specific amount of time each day for vocabulary study. During that
time you can look up new words you have noted during the day and review
old words you are in the process of learning. Set a goal for the number of
words you would like to learn and by what date, and arrange your schedule
accordingly. Fifteen minutes a day will bring better results than half an hour
once a week or so. However, if half an hour a week is all the time you have
to spare, start with that. You may find more time later on, and you will be
moving in the right direction.

In order to review words effectively, all the information on a word

should be kept in one place—in a notebook, for example, or on an index
card. Index cards are convenient because the words can be placed in
alphabetical order, which makes them easy to find when reviewing; and the
cards can be carried around with you, so you can study them anywhere. You
should try to be systematic about studying, so that you are sure to review
each word at least once every couple of weeks.

Do not throw cards away, though; you can get a great feeling of
accomplishment by looking at the growing stack of words you have learned
and by occasionally glancing at an old card and thinking, “Once I actually
didn’t know the meaning of this word!”

18
Ibid.

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 English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

CONCLUSION

Based on the observations and studies by notable experts, the undersigned

concludes that to develop a self-esteem of Junior High School student is not solely based

on the so-called “self-appreciation” but it is also motivated by some other factors

particularly such as but not limited to increase in communication skills. Furthermore,

communication skill, on the other hand, is not confined on the knowledge of vocabulary,

in this case English vocabulary, but it should be accompanied by the knowledge of

grammar including the proper enunciation of words and choice of right words that would

fit to the context of the student’s message he/she tries to convey or understand he/she

listens.

In sum, the factors that may cause students‟ difficulties in learning English

vocabulary are as follow: (1) the written form is different from the spoken form in English, (2)

The number of words that students need to learn is exceedingly large, (3) the limitations of

sources of information about words, (4) The complexity of word knowledge. Knowing a

words involves much more than knowing its dictionary definition, (5) causes of lack of

understanding of grammatical of the words, (6) the incorrect pronunciation is often caused by

the lack of sound similarity between English and the students‟ native language.

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English Vocabulary: Its Implication to Junior High School

pg. 13