Vocabulary plays an important part in learning a language. “As vocabulary is reduced, so are the number of feelings you can express, the number of events you can describe, the number of things you can identify! Not only understanding is limited, but also experience. Man grows by language. Whenever he limits language he retrogresses!” Sheri S. Tepper. The lack of knowledge about vocabulary fields is a serious problem for many students. Vocabulary can be the main reason for poor reading skills. Improving vocabulary is an important factor to improve language.
The researcher believes that having a lot of vocabulary is the key to mastering the language. This opinion is supported by Rivers (1983:125) as stated in his statement, “the acquisition of an adequate vocabulary is essential for successful second language use because, without an extensive vocabulary, we will be unable to use the structures and functions we may have learned for comprehensible communication”.
Many ways can be effective to study vocabulary well. These are eight ways that affected highly on students, these ways represent:
Flashcard
Book
practice the language
Peripheral learning
Repetition
Wordlist
Scrambled Word
play games
Flashcard
Flashcard is a card bearing information on both sides, which is intended to be used as an aid in memorizing vocabulary. This will create a picture in the mind of a person and he will be able to remember it.
Flashcards are the most effective way for motivated learners to study and retain factual knowledge, especially when they are used smartly.
Book
The book has a positive effect on learning vocabulary, this will improve their skills. “The more that you read, the more things you will know”. Dr. Seuss
If a person gets into the habit of reading, then a person is exposed to new words. Always make it a habit to underline the new words and refer to them in the context section and try to understand their meaning. By doing this, you will remember the words and will be able to make their correct usage.
Practice the language
Practice the language is the practice of working with the language and the best way to learn any language is to practice it. A person can practice it by writing the word at least 10 times daily and also making sentences with its meaning. This will help not only to learn words but also their meaning as well. People who are language practitioners usually work in translation, interpreting, text editing, copywriting, language planning, and language management.
Peripheral learning
Peripheral learning is one of the most important strategies for learning vocabulary and spelling. This technique is based on the idea that we perceive much more in our environment than that in which we consciously attend.
Repetition
Repetition is a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clear. repetition is highly valued through it, a skill is practiced and rehearsed over time and gradually becomes easier. This practice is so ingrained in many people’s thinking and practices that they find it hard to see language learning without this practice as a core part of it.
Word list
An effective way for remembering the words is by making a list of important words in order of the priority of their usage. This way whenever you go through a list of important words the ones that are important are revised earlier. A word list “provides a rational basis for making sure that learners get the best return for their vocabulary learning effort” (Nation 1997).
Scrambled Word
Scrambled word is a common term for word order. Every language is assumed to have a basic word order which is fundamental to its sentence structure. Vocabulary is acquired more naturally when use in full sentences.
Play games
Today technology has advanced to a great level. There are so many online vocabulary games available that make learning perfect. These games like Scrabble and crossword puzzles make learning not only entertaining but much easier. You can play with words through various board games and many others for your vocabulary improvement. Also, solving the crossword puzzle that is published in the newspaper for daily practice helps you improve your language.
In the end, The easiest aspect of a second language to learn is vocabulary. Vocabulary refers to the words we must understand to communicate effectively.
Every person can choose what is the best way that makes studying vocabulary easier. These are eight ways that affected highly on students, these ways represent flashcards, books, repetition, wordlist, and playing games. Words can be easily remembered when learned in the form of a song, books, flashcards, or play games.
Written by: Amal Jafel
References
http://www1.udel.edu/eli/educ647/rivers/Rivers1.pdf
Sheri S. Tepper, A Plague of Angels (Plague of Angels, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/826090-the-more-that-you-read-the-more-things-you-will
Nation, I.S.P. (1997), “Vocabulary size, text coverage, and word lists”, in Schmitt; McCarthy (eds.), Vocabulary: Description, Acquisition, and Pedagogy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 6–19, ISBN 978-0-521-58551-4