TECHNIQUES IN PRESENTING VOCABULARY
TO YOUNG EFL LEARNERS
A Research Paper
Submitted to English Education Department of FPBS UPI as a partial fulfillment of the requirement for Sarjana Pendidikan degree
By
Annisa Awaludin
0807343
ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION
Techniques in Presenting Vocabulary
to Young EFL Learners
Oleh Annisa Awaludin
Sebuah skripsi yang diajukan untuk memenuhi salah satu syarat memperoleh gelar Sarjana pada Fakultas Pendidikan Bahasa dan Seni
© Annisa Awaludin 2013 Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Februari 2013
Hak Cipta dilindungi undang-undang.
PAGE OF APPROVAL
TECHNIQUES IN PRESENTING VOCABULARY
TO YOUNG EFL LEARNERS
By:
Annisa Awaludin 0807343
Approved by:
Supervisor I
Bachrudin Musthafa, Ph.D. 195703101987031001
Supervisor II
Ika Lestari Damayanti, S.Pd., M.A. 197709192001122001
Head of English Education Department Faculty of Languages and Arts Education
ABSTRACT
The study entitled Techniques in Presenting Vocabulary to Young EFL Learners is a descriptive case study which aims at investigating the techniques used by the teacher of a young learner course in presenting meaning and form of vocabulary according to Takač (2008). It also aims at finding out the reasons in employing the techniques. Observation and interview were used to collect the data to answer the current research problems.
The findings illustrated that the teacher applied various techniques with various reasons, both in presenting word meaning and form. In presenting word meaning, the teacher mostly employed Real Objects which comprise the use of pictures, realia, and demonstartion. Its appropriateness with young learners characteristics became one reason why this technique was the most frequent technique employed. Meanwhile, in presenting word form, the teacher mostly used Graphic Form since the teacher applied the technique to all planned vocabulary she delivered. In addition, word flashcards, as one form of the technique, was employed frequently in showing the word form. The study recommended that teachers should consider young learners characteristics in employing the presentation technique in young learners classroom, inculding in vocabulary presentation.
ABSTRAK
Penelitian yang berjudul Techniques in Presenting Vocabulary to Young EFL Learners ini merupakan penelitian studi kasus deskriptif yang bertujuan untuk mencari tahu teknik-teknik yang digunakan oleh guru dalam memperkenalkan makna dan bentuk dari kosakata atau vocabulary berdasarkan Takač (2008). Penelitian ini juga bertujuan meneliti alasan-alasan dari penggunaan teknik tersebut. Observasi dan wawancara digunakan peneliti untuk mengumpulkan data untuk menjawab pertanyaan penelitian.
Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa guru menggunakan beragam teknik dengan beragam alasan, baik dalam memperkenalkan makna maupun dalam memperkenalkan bentuk. Dalam memperkenalkan makna kata, guru paling sering menggunakan Real Objects yang mencakup penggunaan gambar, realia, dan demonstarsi. Kecocokannya dengan karakteristik young learners menjadikan salah satu alasan mengapa teknik ini sering dipakai. Sementara itu, dalam memperkenalkan bentuk kata, guru paling sering menggunakan Graphic Form karena guru mengaplikasikan teknik ini pada seluruh kosakata yang diajarkan. Selain itu, word flashcards, sebagai salah satu bentuk dari teknik ini, dipakai sering dalam memperlihatkan bentuk kata. Dari penelitian ini, para guru disarankan agar memperhatikan karakteristik dari peserta didik terutama young learners, dalam menggunakan teknik memperkenalkan vocabulary di kelas.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BAB II THEORITICAL FOUNDATION ... 10
2.1 Vocabulary ... 10
2.1.1 Definition of Vocabulary ... 10
2.2 Young Learners ... 15
2.2.1 Characteristics of Young Learners ... 15
2.2.2 Teaching English to Young Learners ... 17
2.2.3 Teaching Vocabulary to Young Learners ... 19
2.3 Techniques in Presenting Vocabulary ... 21
2.3.1 Translation ... 21
2.3.2 Real Objects or Phenomena ... 22
2.3.3 Meaning Definition ... 23
2.3.4 Presentation through Context ... 24
2.3.5 Learners’ Active Involvement ... 25
2.3.6 Presentation through Graphic Form ... 26
2.3.7 Phonetic Transcription ... 27
2.3.8 Oral Drill ... 27
2.3.9 Spelling the Word ... 28
2.4 Previous Related Studies ... 29
2.5 Concluding Remark ... 31
BAB III METHODOLOGY ... 32
3.1 Formulation of Problem ... 32
3.2 Research Design ... 32
3.3 Site and Participant ... 34
3.4 Data Collection Procedures ... 34
3.4.1 Observation ... 35
3.4.2 Interview ... 36
3.5 Data Analysis ... 37
3.6 Clarification of Terms ... 38
3.7 Concluding Remark ... 39
BAB IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS ... 40
4.1.2 Real Objects or Phenomena ... 45
4.1.3 Meaning Definition ... 48
4.1.4 Presentation through Context ... 52
4.1.5 Learners’ Active Involvement ... 56
4.2 Techniques in Presenting the Form of Vocabulary ... 58
4.2.1 Presentation through Graphic Form ... 59
4.2.2 Oral Drill ... 61
4.2.3 Spelling the Word ... 63
4.3 Reasons in Employing the Techniques ... 65
4.3.1 Translation ... 66
4.3.2 Real Objects or Phenomena ... 67
4.3.3 Meaning Definition ... 68
4.3.4 Presentation through Context ... 69
4.3.5 Learners’ Active Involvement ... 70
4.3.6 Presentation through Graphic Form ... 71
4.3.7 Oral Drill ... 72
4.3.8 Spelling the Word ... 73
4.4 Concluding Remark ... 73
BAB V CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ... 75
5.1. Conclusions ... 75
5.2 Recommendations ... 77
REFERENCES ... 78
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents a brief description of the whole content of the
research. The chapter comprises research background, scope of the research,
research questions, aims of the research, significance of the research, research
methodology, and organization of the paper.
1.1 Research Background
The first thing a language learner would recognize on a language is the
words since languages emerge first as words, regarding to the way we learn our
first and any subsequent languages (Thornbury, 2002). In acquiring a language,
words or vocabulary, as one of the knowledge areas in language, plays a great role
for learners. Rivers (1983, as cited in Nunan, 1991) asserts that the acquisition of
an adequate vocabulary is very important for successful language use because
without rich vocabulary a learner cannot use the structures and functions learned
for comprehensible communication.
For children who are learning a second or foreign language, words have a
great value. Cameron (2001) argues that words are important to develop
children‟s skill and knowledge; and building up useful words to young learners is
fundamental to the foreign language learning at primary level. Linse (2005) also
language development. Therefore, it is crucial for language learners, especially
young learners, to learn vocabulary.
However, young EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners have lack
amount and type of exposures to English. Their experience of the language
outside the classroom is very little (Cameron, 2001). Paul (2002) asserts that
children in Asian countries have limited exposure to English in their daily lives.
Their mother languages and English have very little in common. In Indonesia,
Cahyono and Widiati (2008) report Nurweni‟s (1997) research, revealing that
Indonesian learners‟ EFL vocabulary size was in small number, far less than 50%
of the target words. Also, Musthafa (2008) mentions one challenge in teaching
young learners in Indonesia, that is lack of demonstration in and exposure to
functional use of English.
Regarding the way learners acquire vocabulary, there are two approaches.
Learners acquire vocabulary through: 1) implicit or indirect learning; and 2)
explicit learning or direct or planned vocabulary instructions (Schmitt, 2000; Seal,
1991 as cited in Takač, 2008). Most of EFL learners, concerning the issue of
English limited exposures, will be very dependent on the later. In direct
vocabulary learning, teachers‟ role is very crucial to teach new vocabulary to the
learners. Teachers should make learners know new words in English, how to say,
write, and understand about them (Munoz & Forero, 2011). Also, Cameron (2001)
points out that it is teachers‟ responsibility to give students as much exposure as
possible to English as foreign language and also to provide them with
Actually, direct vocabulary instruction is not only appropriate for young
learners who have limited exposures to target language. It is also effective for
young learners in general. Young learners “learn more words and more about
those words when the teaching is explicit” (Johnson & Yeates, 2006, as cited in
Spencer, Goldstein & Kaminski, 2012, p. 19). Allen (2006) has five reasons why
teachers need to carry out explicit vocabulary instruction: (1) it increases
comprehension in reading; (2) it expands knowledge of new concepts; (3) it
extends range and specificity in writing; (4) it helps learners to communicate more
effectively; and (5) it helps learners to understand words and concepts that they
were incompletely aware of.
Conducting explicit vocabulary teaching to young learners requires
teachers to consider and use some appropriate techniques in presenting the
vocabulary in the classroom. Choyimah (2011) cited Brown (2001) suggests that
teachers should find better techniques to teach language components, including
vocabulary. The range of techniques in teaching vocabulary is wide. Nation
(1990, as cited in Cameron, 2001) writes the basic techniques of vocabulary
presentation which can be applied in young learner classroom: by demonstration
(such as using objects, using a cut-out figure, using pictures, using gestures, and
performing an action); and by verbal explanation (analytical definition, putting
new word in a defining context, and translating into first language). Techniques
employed by teachers in the classroom depend on some factors when the teacher
and its value for the learners (Takač, 2008). This makes teachers have some
certain reasons in employing a certain technique in presenting vocabulary.
In accordance with the issue, this study aimed at investigating the
techniques employed by teacher in teaching vocabulary to young learners. The
result of this research is expected to give portrayals of the techniques applied by
an English teacher in young learner classroom when presenting meaning and form
of vocabulary, and to provide related information about the reasons why the
teacher uses a particular technique when presenting vocabulary to the learners.
1.2Scope of the Research
This research focuses on identifying the techniques employed in young
EFL learner classroom in presenting the meaning and the form of English
vocabulary by a teacher of EYL (English for Young Learners) course. In addition,
this study is also directed to investigate the teacher‟s reasons in employing those
techniques.
1.3Research Questions
The main purpose of the study is to find out the techniques in presenting
the meaning and the form of vocabulary, and the reason in employing the
techniques. They are guided by answering the following questions:
1. What techniques are employed by the teacher in presenting the meaning
2. What techniques are employed by the teacher in presenting the form of
vocabulary to the learners?
3. What are the reasons in employing those techniques?
1.4Aims of the Research
In accordance with the research questions, the aims of conducting this
research are:
1. To find out the techniques employed by the teacher in presenting the
meaning of vocabulary to the learners.
2. To find out the techniques employed by the teacher in presenting the form
of vocabulary to the learners.
3. To find out the reasons in employing those techniques.
1.5Significance of the Research
This study is expected to show the present condition that happens in
vocabulary teaching practices to young learners in the classroom. The result of
this study will give some benefits by contributing to the field of teaching, as it
enriches the literature about teaching techniques, particularly techniques in
presenting vocabulary to young learners. It reveals the techniques in presenting
vocabulary meaning, in presenting vocabulary form, as well as the reasons in
applying the techniques.
Furthermore, the study is also expected to provide useful information
source for other young learner teachers in selecting appropriate techniques for
their learners in presenting vocabulary meaning and form, so the teachers are able
to improve and enhance their teaching practices and provide better way in helping
the learners learn.
1.6Research Methodology 1.6.1 Research Design
In this study, researcher employed a qualitative approach with case study
design to provide information as the result of observing the phenomenon, since its
aim is to “portray „what it is like‟ to be in a particular situation, to catch the close
up reality and „thick description” (Geertz, 1973b, as cited in Cohen, Manion &
Morisson, 2007, p. 254). This study was conducted to obtain factual information
and deep understanding about the phenomenon which according to Sherman and
Webb (2005) would lead to new insight. The phenomenon happened naturally,
which in this research was related to the teacher‟s techniques in presenting
English vocabulary to young learners in the English course classroom.
1.6.2 Site and Respondent
The research took place in EYL Course in Balai Bahasa UPI, Bandung.
The respondent of the research was one of the teachers who taught two classes in
the course. The classes consisted of young EFL learners with the age range 9 - 14
1.6.3 Data Collection
In collecting the data, the researcher employed triangulation method, in
which multiple instruments were assigned in the study. Triangulation was used to
reduce the possibility of bias appeared in one method and to help in making the
description more comprehensive (Alwasilah, 2000).
There were two instruments employed in this study. The first instrument
was observation, where the researcher was non-participant observer. During the
observations, the lessons were video recorded. Observation was conducted to see
the teacher‟s performances in implementing the techniques in the classroom. The
researcher recorded the learning activities first, wrote some field notes, and then
transcribed the recording to be analyzed in the next step.
The second was interview. Interview was employed by the researcher to
complete the data gained from observation. The form of the interview guide was
open-ended questions and less structured, where the purpose is to find out the
perspectives of the respondent (Patton, 1980, as cited in Merriam, 1988) about
some issues. In the interview, the issues are related to the techniques, especially
the teacher‟s reasons in employing the techniques.
1.6.4 Data Analysis
Since the study was conducted through qualitative approach, the data
collection and analysis were simultaneously employed. After having the data from
the video recordings and interview, the researcher analyzed the data by employing
1. Transcribing the data
The recordings gained from the observation and interview were
transcribed to know the data thoroughly about the presenting vocabulary
techniques, and the reasons in employing those techniques. The researcher tried to
retell all the data into a textual form.
2. Pre-coding and coding
After transcribing all the data, the researcher did pre-coding, that was
reading through all the texts, reflecting on them, and noting down some thoughts.
The process of coding then is highlighting the texts and giving it label so, the
researcher can easily identify, retrieve and group the data. The coding process of
finding the teaching vocabulary techniques was based on Takač (2008).
3. Growing ideas
To develop the main theme of the study, researcher tried to grow ideas by
preparing memos, interview profile, and data display. From this, the researcher
was helped in answering the research questions, discovered the phenomena of the
presenting vocabulary techniques, and the reasons in employing the techniques
from the data coded.
4. Interpreting the data and drawing conclusions
Next, the researcher interpreted the data based on the research questions
formulated. The findings and discussions of the data were presented to illustrate
the objective of the study. In the end, conclusions were drawn, and the researcher
1.7Organization of the Paper
This research is organized into five chapters as follows.
1. Chapter I: Introduction
This chapter contains introduction which presents the information on
the background of the study, scope of the research, research questions,
aims of the research, significance of the research, research methodology,
and also organization of the paper.
2. Chapter II: Theoretical Foundation
This chapter discusses the concept and definitions which functions as
the theoretical foundation of this study for investigating the research
problems.
3. Chapter III: Methodology
This chapter describes the methodology applied to conduct the study
including formulation of problem, research design, site and participant,
data collection procedures, data analysis, and clarification of terms.
4. Chapter IV: Findings and Discussion
This chapter reports the result of the research and discussion of the
research findings by analyzing the data collected.
5. Chapter V: Conclusions and Suggestions
This chapter draws conclusions from the findings and discussion, and
offers some suggestions to teachers and other researchers who plan to
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The research methodology applied in this study is discussed in this
chapter. The discussion of this chapter involves formulation of problem, research
design, site and participant, data collection procedures, data analysis of the
research, and clarifications of key terms.
3.1Formulation of Problem
In this study, researcher attempts to discover the answers of the research
questions as follow.
1. What techniques are employed by the teacher in presenting the meaning
of vocabulary to the learners?
2. What techniques are employed by the teacher in presenting the form of
vocabulary to the learners?
3. What are the reasons in employing the techniques?
3.2Research Design
To gather a clearer picture and deeper understanding of presenting
vocabulary techniques implemented by the teacher, the researcher employed a
qualitative study. Qualitative study, as stated by Fraenkel and Wallen (2006),
refers to research study where the researcher intends to examine the quality of
in detail of everything that goes on in that particular situation. According to
Dornyei (2007), the purpose of qualitative research is to provide descriptions of
social phenomena which happen naturally. The research observed the quality of
teaching activities, which happened in natural setting, about the teacher‟s
techniques in presenting the vocabulary meaning, the teacher‟s techniques in
presenting the vocabulary form, and the teacher‟s reasons in employing the
techniques.
Furthermore a case study approach was employed, since its aim is to
“portray „what it is like‟ to be in a particular situation, to catch the close up reality
and „thick description” (Geertz, 1973b, as cited in Cohen et al., 2007, p. 254).
Gillham (2000) points out that case study investigates the answer of specific
research questions and inquiries a range of different sort of evidences which are
collated to get the best possible answers. This study was conducted to obtain
factual information and deep understanding about the phenomenon which
according to Sherman and Webb (2005) would leads to new insight.
The type of case study here was descriptive method, which provides
detailed account of the phenomenon being studied (Merriam, 1988). In line with
that, this research is an examination of presenting vocabulary techniques with its
situation in young learner classes, and also the reasons in employing the
techniques. Gall, Gall and Borg (2003) state that the purpose of descriptive case
study is to depict a phenomenon and conceptualize it. Descriptive case study
provides thick description of the phenomenon that is depiction of the situation and
3.3Site and Participant
The research was conducted in English for Young Learner Course in Balai
Bahasa UPI, Bandung. The respondent of the research was one of the course
teachers who taught two classes in the course. The two classes consisted of young
learners whose age range from 9 to 14 years old. Each class was consisted of four
girl students. The first class was 4th graders and the second was 8th graders.
In choosing the sample, there are some considerations, served one purpose
in doing the research, based on Lincoln and Guba (1985, as cited in Alwasilah,
2000). The sample selection of this research was held by means of purposive
sampling, where the site or individual was intentionally chosen from which the
researcher can learn the most, understand and gain insight about the phenomena
(Cresswell, 2010; Merriam, 1988). In this study, researcher decided to do the
research in the site with reasons that the participant or the teacher provided
vocabulary teaching to young learners, and the site was easily accessible.
3.4Data Collection Procedures
Qualitative research data need to capture rich and complex detail to make
sense of a set of meanings in the phenomenon being studied (Dornyei, 2007). In
addition, Cresswell (1998, p. 123) argues that case study gathers “the widest array
of data collection as the researcher attempts to build an in-depth picture of the
case.” In accordance with that, this present study employed multiple instruments
in collecting the data. Using multiple instruments in data collection is called
of bias appeared in one method and to help in making the description more
comprehensive (Alwasilah, 2000). In addition, Gall et al. (2003) state that using
triangulation to collect data about a phenomenon increases the validity of the
research findings.
3.4.1 Observation
The first instrument was observation during classroom teachings, where
the researcher was non-participant observer. The researcher comes to the site and
records information without involving in the activities of the participant
(Cresswell, 2010). According to Cohen et al. (2007), there is a particular novelty
of observations, seen as a validly strong demonstration. Observations enable
researchers to be inductive and open-ended, help them in recognizing the context
of events, noticing things that might be unconsciously missed, discovering what
participants do not pleasantly talk about in interview, moving beyond perception
based data, and accessing personal knowledge.
In this study, the observation was held five times, from October 9, 2012 to
October 22, 2012. The lessons were video recorded to help the researcher in
examining the data. Each lesson took about 90 minutes per meeting. According to
Gillham (2000), observation is the most important technique when the research‟s
main purpose is explanatory description. The observation was conducted to see
the teacher‟s performances in implementing the techniques in the classroom. The
3.4.2 Interview
The second was interview. Since the goal of qualitative research is to find
out the participant‟s point of view of the observed phenomenon and to reveal the
meaning of her/his experiences and actions (Dornyei, 2007), this study employed
an interview guide to find out the perspectives of the respondent (Patton, 1980, as
cited in Merriam, 1988). The interview was employed by the researcher to
complete the data gained from observation and to gain more in depth information.
Here the issues are related to the techniques, especially the teacher‟s reasons in
employing the techniques.
The form of the interview was open-ended question and less structured,
regarding to the research‟s purpose in accessing the respondents‟ perceptions,
assumption that participant is unique individual which cannot be made by
generalization of instrument, and explorations of many things and situations
through some steps (Alwasilah, 2000). In addition, less structure interview are
suitable for case study research, where the questions are predetermined, flexible,
and designed as follow up questions to investigate deep information (Hancock &
Algozzine, 2006).
Besides using triangulation to validate the accuracy of the research‟
finding, researcher also test the findings by employing member checking.
According to Cresswell (1994) and Merriam (1988), member checking is the
process where the researcher takes the research findings back to the participant
and asks the participant to check the accuracy of the account, in writing or in an
3.5Data Analysis
Since the study was conducted through qualitative design, the data
collection and analysis were simultaneously employed. This study employed
interpretational analysis approach, which based on Gall et al., (2003, p. 453) is
examining the research “to find constructs, themes, and patterns that can be used
to describe and explain the phenomenon being studied.” After having the data
from the video recordings and interview, the researcher analyzed the data
employing the following steps adopted from Dornyei (2007).
3.5.1 Transcribing the data
Qualitative research data is generally converted into textual form, producing
hundreds of pages of transcripts. The recordings gained from the observation and
interview were transcribed to know the data thoroughly about the presenting
vocabulary techniques, and the reasons in employing those techniques. The
researcher tried to retell all the data, including nonverbal aspect in the video tapes,
into a textual form.
3.5.2 Pre-coding and coding
After transcribing all the data, the researcher read through all the texts to get
the general sense of the data, reflected on them, and noted down some thoughts.
This is called pre-coding. The process of coding then is highlighting the texts and
giving it label, so the researcher could easily identify, retrieve and group the data.
The coding process of finding the teaching vocabulary techniques was based on
3.5.3 Growing ideas
To develop the main theme of the study, researcher tried to grow ideas by
preparing memos, interview profile, and data display. From this, the researcher
was helped in meeting the research questions with the answers, discovered the
phenomena of the techniques in presenting vocabulary meaning, techniques in
presenting vocabulary form, and also the reasons in employing the techniques
from the data coded.
3.5.4 Interpreting the data and drawing conclusions
Next the researcher interpreted the data based on the research questions that
had been formulated. Qualitative study intends to widen the range of possible
interpretations of the phenomenon. The findings and discussions were presented
to illustrate the objective of the study. In the end, conclusions were drawn, and the
researcher also gave some suggestions for the future.
3.6Clarification of Terms
In order to avoid unnecessary misinterpretation, some terms are clarified
as follows.
a. Teaching Techniques
They refer to the ways of teachers in presenting instructional materials or
conducting instructional activities.
b. Vocabulary
Based on Cambridge Dictionary (2008), vocabulary is all the words which
c. Teaching Vocabulary
In this research, teaching vocabulary is focused on introducing new
vocabulary to the young learners.
d. Young Learners
Young Learners refer to the learners with age 5 to 14 years old (Pinter,
2006). In this study, young learners are learners from 9 to 14 years old,
who were the students of 4th and 8th grade.
3.7Concluding Remark
This chapter has presented the methodology of the research which
comprises formulation of problem, research design, site and participant, data
collection procedures, data analysis, and clarification of terms. The result of the
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In this final chapter, there are two main points discussed. Firstly, this
chapter presents the conclusions of the study drawn from the findings and
discussion. Secondly, it provides ideas and suggestions for teachers of young
learners and other researchers who are interested in conducting research on the
area of techniques in teaching vocabulary to young learners.
5.1 Conclusions
This study focused on techniques in presenting vocabulary meaning and
vocabulary form to young learners. The purpose of the study was to discover the
techniques employed by the teacher in presenting the meaning of vocabulary to
the students, techniques employed by the teacher in presenting the form of
vocabulary to the students, as well as the teacher’s reason in employing those
techniques.
The result of the study revealed that in presenting the meaning and form of
vocabulary, the teacher applied different techniques with different reasons. In
presenting the meaning of vocabulary, among all of the techniques based on
Takač (2008), Real Objects technique was the most frequent main technique used
by the teacher. One of the reasons found is because the learners are categorized
into young learners. Young learners mostly learn concrete words, to which the
Contextual Example were employed to more concrete words. Meanwhile, in
presenting the form of vocabulary, the teacher mostly employed Presentation
through Graphic Form technique. Based on the data, this became the most
frequently used technique since it was the only technique in presenting written
form of planned vocabulary and the teacher employed this technique to all
planned vocabulary she taught during the lessons. In addition, the use of word
flashcards, as one form of the technique, was frequent in showing the word form.
In addition to the techniques, in presenting one planned vocabulary item,
the teacher usually combined more than one technique, instead of employed one
single technique. This research confirms previous finding that teachers are
suggested to employ planned vocabulary presentation as various as possible
(Pinter, 2006). The findings showed that the teacher combined more than one
technique to maximize the possibility of the students’ understanding of the
vocabulary item and to help store the vocabulary to their long term memory
retention.
Regarding the last research question, the teacher had several reasons in
employing all of the techniques. There are nine main reasons found. The teacher
employed a certain technique because the technique: 1) can save time, 2) acts out
as a short route, 3) fits with students’ characteristics, 4) gives long term memory
retention to students, 5) benefits students to have the information about word’s
form and word’s use, 6) maximizes student’s speaking opportunities, 7) makes the
the word form, 9) can help the students whether in understanding the word
meaning, remembering a word and how to write the word.
5.2 Recommendations
Based on the research findings and the conclusions, there are some
suggestions proposed concerning techniques in presenting vocabulary to young
learners as follows:
1. Before presenting meaning or form of vocabulary items, teachers need to
notice some considerations such as the type of the vocabulary, the students’
level and characteristics, and also the value of the techniques for the
learners.
2. With the teacher talk is mostly in English, translation can be employed
when presenting word meaning in some particular situations such as when
dealing with incidental word and highlighting false interpretation from the
students.
3. Teachers are suggested to use real objects technique as often as possible
when presenting vocabulary to young learners especially when the words
are concrete. Besides interesting to young learners, gesture, pictures, and
realia can help them remember words better.
4. In employing meaning definition or contextual example technique to
young learners, it is suggested for teachers to be careful in selecting words
5. There are still many rooms to do research in the area of vocabulary
teaching techniques especially to young learners. This study limits its
investigation on the techniques in presenting vocabulary only. Other
researches on the same area of teaching vocabulary can examine the
techniques in practicing vocabulary and in training the students some
techniques for independent vocabulary learning.
6. For further researches on the same concern on techniques in presenting
vocabulary, it is advised to involve more participants, whether the teachers
or the students, and to conduct the research in a longer period. In addition,
the researchers can collect the data from more perspectives, such as from
the students, to obtain a more comprehensive result. For instance, the
research can apply child-friendly questionnaire to know the students’
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In this final chapter, there are two main points discussed. Firstly, this
chapter presents the conclusions of the study drawn from the findings and
discussion. Secondly, it provides ideas and suggestions for teachers of young
learners and other researchers who are interested in conducting research on the
area of techniques in teaching vocabulary to young learners.
5.1 Conclusions
This study focused on techniques in presenting vocabulary meaning and
vocabulary form to young learners. The purpose of the study was to discover the
techniques employed by the teacher in presenting the meaning of vocabulary to
the students, techniques employed by the teacher in presenting the form of
vocabulary to the students, as well as the teacher’s reason in employing those
techniques.
The result of the study revealed that in presenting the meaning and form of
vocabulary, the teacher applied different techniques with different reasons. In
presenting the meaning of vocabulary, among all of the techniques based on
Takač (2008), Real Objects technique was the most frequent main technique used
by the teacher. One of the reasons found is because the learners are categorized
into young learners. Young learners mostly learn concrete words, to which the
Contextual Example were employed to more concrete words. Meanwhile, in
presenting the form of vocabulary, the teacher mostly employed Presentation
through Graphic Form technique. Based on the data, this became the most
frequently used technique since it was the only technique in presenting written
form of planned vocabulary and the teacher employed this technique to all
planned vocabulary she taught during the lessons. In addition, the use of word
flashcards, as one form of the technique, was frequent in showing the word form.
In addition to the techniques, in presenting one planned vocabulary item,
the teacher usually combined more than one technique, instead of employed one
single technique. This research confirms previous finding that teachers are
suggested to employ planned vocabulary presentation as various as possible
(Pinter, 2006). The findings showed that the teacher combined more than one
technique to maximize the possibility of the students’ understanding of the
vocabulary item and to help store the vocabulary to their long term memory
retention.
Regarding the last research question, the teacher had several reasons in
employing all of the techniques. There are nine main reasons found. The teacher
employed a certain technique because the technique: 1) can save time, 2) acts out
as a short route, 3) fits with students’ characteristics, 4) gives long term memory
retention to students, 5) benefits students to have the information about word’s
form and word’s use, 6) maximizes student’s speaking opportunities, 7) makes the
the word form, 9) can help the students whether in understanding the word
meaning, remembering a word and how to write the word.
5.2 Recommendations
Based on the research findings and the conclusions, there are some
suggestions proposed concerning techniques in presenting vocabulary to young
learners as follows:
1. Before presenting meaning or form of vocabulary items, teachers need to
notice some considerations such as the type of the vocabulary, the students’
level and characteristics, and also the value of the techniques for the
learners.
2. With the teacher talk is mostly in English, translation can be employed
when presenting word meaning in some particular situations such as when
dealing with incidental word and highlighting false interpretation from the
students.
3. Teachers are suggested to use real objects technique as often as possible
when presenting vocabulary to young learners especially when the words
are concrete. Besides interesting to young learners, gesture, pictures, and
realia can help them remember words better.
4. In employing meaning definition or contextual example technique to
young learners, it is suggested for teachers to be careful in selecting words
5. There are still many rooms to do research in the area of vocabulary
teaching techniques especially to young learners. This study limits its
investigation on the techniques in presenting vocabulary only. Other
researches on the same area of teaching vocabulary can examine the
techniques in practicing vocabulary and in training the students some
techniques for independent vocabulary learning.
6. For further researches on the same concern on techniques in presenting
vocabulary, it is advised to involve more participants, whether the teachers
or the students, and to conduct the research in a longer period. In addition,
the researchers can collect the data from more perspectives, such as from
the students, to obtain a more comprehensive result. For instance, the
research can apply child-friendly questionnaire to know the students’
REFERENCES
Allen, J. (2006). Words, words, words: Teaching vocabulary in Grades 4-12.
Maine: Stenhouse Publishers.
Allen, V. F. (1983). Techniques in teaching vocabulary. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Alwasilah, C. A. (2000). Pokoknya kualitatif: Dasar-dasar merancang dan
melakukan penelitian kualitatif. Jakarta: Pustaka Jaya.
Baleghizadeh, S. & Ashoori, A. (2011). The impact of two instructional
techniques on EFL learners’ vocabulary knowledge: Flash cards versus
word lists. Mextesol Journal, 35(2). Retreived from: http://mextesol.net/
journal/index.php?page=journal&id_article=71
Broughton, G., Brumfit, C., Flavell, R., Hill, P. & Pincas, A. (1980). Teaching
English as a foreign language. (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.
Brown, H. D. (2001). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to
language pedagogy. (2nd ed.). New York: Addison Wesley.
Cahyono, B. Y. & Widiati, U. (2008). The teaching of EFl vocabulary in the
Indonesian context: The state of the art. TEFLIN Journal, 19(1). Retreived
from: journal.teflin.org/index.php/teflin
Cameron, L. (2001). Teaching languages to young learners. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Chi, N. T. K. (2010). Techniques in teaching vocabulary. Retreived on August 13,
2012 from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/32026144/Techniques-in-Teaching
Choyimah, N. (2011). Teaching vocabulary through discourse: The step to
improve students’ productive vocabulary. In B. Y. Cahyono & N.
Mukminatien (Eds.), Techniques and strategies to enhance English
language learning (pp. 195-207) Malang: State University of Malang
Press.
Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education.
(6th ed.). London: Routledge Falmer.
Creswell, J. W. (1994). Reseacrh design: Qualitative & quantitative approaches.
California: Sage Publication.
Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choose among
five traditions. California: Sage Publication.
Creswell, J. W. (2010). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and
evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. (4th ed.). Boston:
Pearson.
Depdiknas (2003). Kurilulum 2004. Standar Kompetensi. Mata pelajaran Bahasa
Inggris. Sekolah Menengah Atas dan Madrasah Aliyah. Jakarta:
Depdiknas.
young children. Oxford: Marston Book Services Limited.
Fraenkel, J. R. & Wallen, N. E. (2006). How to design and evaluate research in
Gall, M. D., Gall, J. P. & Borg, W. R. (2003). Educational research: An
introduction (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Gairns, R. & Redman, S. (1986). Working with words: A guide to teaching and
learning vocabulary. USA: Cambridge University Press.
Gillham, B. (2000). Case study research methods. England: TJ International, Ltd.
Halliwell, S. (1992). Teaching English in the primary classroom. England:
Longman Group UK Limited.
Hancock, D. R. & Algozzine, B. (2006). Doing case study research: A practical
guide for beginning researchers. New York: Teachers College Press.
Harmer, J. (2002). The practice of english language teaching. (3rd ed.). New
York: Longman Group.
Harris, J., Golinkoff, R.M., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2011). Lessons from the crib for
the classroom: How children really learn vocabulary. In S. B. Neuman &
D. K. Dickinson (Eds.) Handbook of Early Literacy Research (pp. 49-66).
New York: Guilford Press.
Haynes, J. & Zacarian, D. (2010). Teaching Englich language learners: Across
the content areas. USA: ASCD.
Hiebert, E. H. & Kamil, M. L. (2005). Teaching and learning vocabulary:
Bringing research to practice. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Hunt, A. & Beglar, D. 2002. Current research and practice in teaching vocabulary.
In J. C. Richards and W. A. Renandya. (2002). Methodology in language
teaching. (pp. 258-264) New York: Cambridge University Press.
Joklova, K. (2009). Using pictures in teaching vocabulary. Retreived on Octoer,
1, 2012 from: http://is.muni.cz/th/123676/pedf_b/Bachelor_Thesis-Using_
Kuutti, N. (2009). The use of phonemic transcriptions as a teachingmethod and its
McCarten, J. (2007). Teaching vocabulary: Lessosn from corpus, lessons for the
classroom. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Meriem, B. (2010). Teaching and learning vocabulary through spelling strategy.
Retreived on September, 30, 2012 from:http://bu.umc.edu.dz/theses/
anglais/BOU1177.pdf
Merriam, S. B. (1988). Case study research in education: a qualitative approach.
San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Milton, J. (2009). Measuring second language vocabulary acquisition. Great
Britain: Short Run Press, Ltd.
Mompean, J. A. (2005). Taking advantage of phonetic symbols in the efl
classroom. Retreived on December, 16, 2012 from: http://www.phon.ucl
.ac.uk/home/johnm/ptlc2005/pdf/ptlcp28.pdf
Moon, J. (2005). Children learning English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mooney, C. G. (2000). Theories of childhood: An introduction to Dewey,
Montessori, Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky. St. Paul: Redleaf Press.
Munoz, M. E. M. & Forero, M. A. V. (2011). Teaching English vocabulary to
third graders through the application of the total physical response
method. Retreived on October, 14, 2012 from: http://
Musthafa, B. (2008). Teaching english to young learners: Principles &
techniques. School of Postgraduate Studies: Indonesia University of
Education.
Musthafa, B. (2010). Educationist: Jurnal kajian filosofi, teori, kualitas, dan
manajemen pendidikan. Teaching english to young learners in Indonesia:
Essential requirements, VI(2), 120-125.
Nash, H., & Snowling, M. (2006). Teaching new words to children with poor
existing vocabulary knowledge: A controlled evaluation of the definition
and context methods. International Journal of Language and
Communication Disorders, 41(3), 335–354.
Nunan, D. (1991). Language teaching methodology. New Yor: Prentice Hall.
Ozturk, M. (2008). Vocabulary teaching. Retreived on October, 9, 2010 from:
http://dergiler.ankara.edu.tr/dergiler/27/758/9640.pdf
Paul, D. (2003). Teaching english to children in Asia. Hong Kong: Pearson
Longman Asia ELT.
Pinter, A. (2006). Teaching young language learners. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Rasinski, T., Padak, N., Newton, R. M. & Newton, E. (2008) Greek & Latin
roots: Keys to building vocabulary. United States of America: Corinne
Burton M.A.Ed.
Read, J. (2000). Assessing vocabulary. United Kingdom: Cambridge University
Press.
Reed, D. K. (2012). Why teach spelling? Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research
Schmitt, N. & Richards, J. C. (Ed.). (2000). Vocabulary in language teaching.
United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Sherman, R. R. & Webb, R. B. (2005). Qualitative Research in Education: Focus
and Methods. London: UK Routledge Falmer.
Slattery, M. & Willis, J. (2001). English for primary teachers. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
Spencer, E. J., Goldstein, H., & Kaminski, R. (2012). Teaching vocabulary in
storybooks: Embedding explicit vocabulary instruction for young children.
Retreived on October, 14, 2012 from: http://yec.sagepub.com/content/
15/1/18
Takač, V. P., & Singleton, D. (Ed.). (2008). Vocabulary learning strategies and foreign language acquisition. Canada: Multilingual Matters Ltd.
Thorburry, S. (2002). How to teach vocabulary. England: Pearson Education
Limited.
Tosuncuoglu, I. (2004). Teaching vocabulary for active use. Retreived on
September, 30, 2012 from: http://yordam.manas.kg/ekitap/pdf/
Manasdergi/sbd/sbd9/sbd-9-08.pdf
Ur, P. (1996). A course in language teaching: Practice and theory. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Walter, E., Cranz, D., & Glennon, D. (2008). Cambridge Advanced Learner’s
Dictionary Version 3.0 Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Westwood, P. S. (2008). What teachers need to know about teaching methods.
Australia: ACER Press.
Ytreberg, W. A. & Scott, L. H. (1990). Teaching English to children. England: