CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW
C. Learning Contents and Proper Vocabulary
Richard and Renandya (2002) states that Vocabulary is a core component of language and provides much of the basis for how well learners speak, listen, read, and write. As agreed with the experts above, Alizadeh (2016) states that vocabulary is described as a set of properties, or features, each word is the combination of its meaning, register, association, collocation, grammatical behavior, written form (spelling), spoken form (pronunciation) and frequency. Based on the definitions, vocabulary becomes central in language
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learning because it can help students to master language skills.
Web and Nation (2017) argues that all stages of education need vocabulary to be acquired because it is one of the important aspects of learning a language. It indicates about the importance of vocabulary for learners, each aspect of language learning cannot be separated from the role of vocabulary and all skills of English Language Learning such as speaking, listening, writing, and reading needs words or vocabulary therefore by mastering vocabulary, students will be easily achieving the educational objectives of language.
2. Singular and Plural Noun
A noun is the name of a person, place or thing. A singular noun refers to one only. A plural noun refers to two or more. Schmitt (2002) explains that definition of singular noun is when a noun means one only, it is called singular (example: boy, girl, book, church, box), and when a noun means more then one it is called to be plural (example: boys, girls, books, churches).
3. Strategy and Proper Vocabulary
In strategy for learning vocabulary, this study refer to Nation (2020) who recommended well-proven technique that he claim effective and efficient in supporting vocabulary learning. For example: controlling the level of vocabulary in the course to match the students’ current level and needs, using theme-based learning for vocabulary, build repetition into a course by coming back to the same material, and vocabulary learning using flash card concept. He also explain the teacher’s role involved in planning, organizing, training, and monitoring. Repetition in vocabulary learning as a foreign language is
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important, according to Pimsleur' theory of memory (1967) suggest to make sure the words will not disappear from memory, the teacher should asked students recall the item very frequently right after it is presented. This is in line with Kelley and Whatson (2013) who argue that spaced repetition is effective in creating long-term memories. Concerning vocabulary learning using flash card concept, many literatures show that the use of flashcard give beneficial to both teacher and students in pedagogical implications or teaching and learning process as Li and Tong (2019) examined the effects of E-flashcards and paper flashcards and also learning attitudes among students learning. They found that students used E-flashcards statistically outperformed on immediate post-tests of Chinese word reading and listening and demonstrated more positive learning attitudes, than those who used paper flashcards. They explain that the incorporating multimedia resources with comprehensive visual, verbal, and audio inputs in their e-flashcard caused the finding. Indeed, this concept for learning Chinese vocabulary, but the elements of multimedia may suitable for English learning and affect the success rate of students’ learning that coincides with the study of Kusumawati et al. (2017) who also conclude a significance effect of digital flashcard towards students’ English vocabulary mastery.
Concerning the theme-based learning and the level of vocabulary match to the students, this study make sure that the learning materials proper to the students’ current level and to be in line with the curriculum standard of seventh grade students of junior high school in Indonesia, the learning material needs to meet the requirements of curriculum named Kurikulum 2013 (2013 curriculum)
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hence this study used learning English vocabulary materials refer to the textbook titled When English Rings a Bell (2017 revised edition) that is in seventh grade that published by Minister Education of Indonesia based on the curriculum standard, students start to learn English vocabulary in junior high school level, in another word, that learning English vocabulary is a new thing for them based on curriculum. The learning in the book, chapter IV, presents vocabulary material with the main theme named ‘This is My World’ which topic-related vocabulary frequently find in day today life or already largely familiar to them, the scope of the vocabulary materials are in classification of plural and singular noun. Vocabulary materials about singular and plural noun are in four sections i.e. vocabulary that students usually find in the classroom (things in the classroom), vocabulary about public building that common they find, vocabulary that students usually find in the house (things in the house), and vocabulary that students usually find around the yard (things around the yard). The book also presents knowledge of how to use plural in singular noun in sample of sentences with the context of giving and answer questions and also the context of describing and mentioning various noun about their number and their location. The learning objectives refer to the core competencies and basic competencies of Regulation of the Minister Education of Indonesia Number 68 of 2013 concerning the Basic Framework and Curriculum Structure of Junior High Schools of the 2013 curriculum. For example, the sample of sentence can be seen in table 1. Therefore, this study adapt the learning materials mentioned to mobile learning.
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Table 2. 1 How to Use Noun in Samples of Sentence
(Adopted from the Book under the Title When English Rings a Bell, 2017)
List of Vocabulary (Noun)
Sample of Sentences Giving and
Answer Questions
Describing and Mentioning Various Noun
About Their Number and Their Location 1. Book
2. Sharpeners 3. Window 4. Picture
Question: I have two books. What about you?
Question: How many sharpeners do you have?
Answer: I have three sharpeners
Concerning Number:
I have three books and Michelle has two books. I have two sharpeners and Michelle has four sharpeners. We have five books and we have six sharpeners.
Concerning Location:
There is a window. Next to the window, there is one picture