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English is a crucial academic subject in Indonesian schools. It is essential for pupils to study and master the language in this age of globalization. People from all over the world can speak with one another even when they are in different nations because it is also a global language, or an international language, making it essential to master. English is still taught as a foreign language in Indonesia. One of the key problems causing the poor level of English competence among many Indonesians has been identified as this. Because they see English as only an adjunct to their other academics, students don't take it seriously. It's unfortunate because English might be a deciding factor.
Understanding vocabulary is critical for students learning English. The quality of a language is only as good as its vocabulary. The vocabulary of a language is the collection of all the words that comprise it. Vocabulary is one of the linguistic components of learning English. According to Tarigan (1984), the fundamental determinant of language aptitude is vocabulary competence. In order to talk effectively and smoothly in a foreign language, students must master a sufficient amount of words and be able to apply them appropriately. According to Hornby, as described by Rahman (2016), vocabulary is the total quantity of words that, when integrated, form a language or a set of terms that a person is familiar with and utilizes. The words are then put in alphabetical order and given definitions.
Vocabulary is a collection of words used to build sentences and communicate concepts. When this vocabulary is integrated into a number of words, it can be utilized to build sentences that interact or communicate with other people. Before studying English language skills, students need first learn about vocabulary. It connects the four language skills—listening, reading, speaking, and writing.According to Richards and Renandya, referenced in Irvani (2020), vocabulary is an important aspect of language ability and affects how well learners listen, talk, read, and write. Students use words as they speak, listen, read, and write. They listen for words when they listen.
A person must be able to master the English vocabulary in order to communicate or use English effectively. Many students today are unable to use English properly and correctly, so students must master a large English vocabulary. As a result, the students' ability to use English is dependent on the vocabulary they have learned. Students who learn vocabulary can readily construct texts or describe something in written or spoken language, as well as comprehend the content of the text. For all forms of texts, vocabulary growth is required. Students, notably those in the eighth grade at SMPN 16 Tanjungpinang, learned a recount text. While studying the material, students must be able to acquire a broad vocabulary. As a result, when studying a text, pupils must master vocabulary.
According to the researcher's observations at SMPN 16 Tanjungpinang, the students had difficulty mastering vocabulary by asking the teacher who teaches the eighth grade classes. Their vocabulary mastery continued to fall short of
curriculum expectations. They could not master a large amount of vocabulary, and they were perplexed when they couldn't improve their English in the recount text due to a lack of vocabulary. They struggled to answer the questions because they didn't understand the meaning of some of the words in their exercise. An analysis of students' vocabulary is critical in understanding what the students' ability to master vocabulary is. These are the reasons why the researcher is interested in analyzing students' vocabulary.According reason above, the researcher is insterested in conducting research entitled “An Analysis of VIII Grade Students’ Vocabulary Mastery in Recount Text at SMPN 16 Tanjungpinang”.
1.2 Limitation of the Problem
After identifying the background of the problems, the researcher must limit and focus her research problem on eighth grade students' vocabulary mastery in recount text at SMPN 16 Tanjungpinang.
1.3 Research Question
Supported by the limitation above, the researcher intends to investigate the students’ vocabulary mastery of SMPN 16 Tanjungpinang. So the research question is how is the eighth grade students’ vocabulary mastery of SMPN 16 Tanjungpinang in recount text?
1.4 The Purpose of the Study
Based on the question above, the aim of this research is to describe the eighth grade students’ vocabulary mastery of SMPN 16 Tanjungpinang in recount text.
1.5 The Significance of the Study 1. Theoritically
The result of this research will provide students, particularly the students in the eighth grade of the school in which the researcher conducted this research, with more understanding about vocabulary mastery. And for other researchers to conduct more further research.
2. Practically
a. For researchers, the finding of this research can be used as a starting point to increase the researcher knowledge.
b. For teachers, the result of this research will provide English teachers, especially the English teachers of the schools where the researchers with the research, researchers a reflection of their achievement in the teaching and learning process of vocabulary.
c. For students, the finding of this research can increse students’ interest and achievement in vocabulary mastery.
1.6 Definition of Key Term
To avoid misunderstanding the terms used in this research, the definitions will be explained as follows:
1. Analysis
Merriam Webster defines analysis as a thorough examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or determine its essential features. A problem-solving activity or process that is observed or examined is referred to as
analysis. In this study, it refers to the process of resolving the problem of students' vocabulary mastery in recount text.
2. Vocabulary
Vocabulary is a collection of words that are used to construct sentences in order to communicate effectively. English vocabulary is an essential component of good English communication. According to Faliyanti, as cited in Ghina (2021), they can easily understand English when they have a large vocabulary, especially when reading.
3. Mastery
Mastery is defined as someone's ability to comprehend something or master something. Merriam Webster defines mastery as a skill or knowledge that allows one to be a master of a subject. According to the title of the study, mastery of student vocabulary, students are capable of mastering good and correct English vocabulary in comprehending recount text.
4. Recount Text
A recount text is one that recounts past events in chronological order. A recount text, according to Suryana (2008), is a text that is used to tell what happened in order to inform or entertain the reader. Recount text is the text or contents of which reports an event or activity of someone from the past.
