Learners’ Characteristics Based on Multiple Intelligences Theory

27 learning process. To do so, the teacher should think about the activities that are frequently used in the classroom and categorize them according to the intelligence types. There are activities that support the multiple intelligences in learning English suggested by Armstrong 2000: 170. 1 Linguistic Intelligence In improving linguistic intelligence, the teacher uses lectures, small and large group discussion, word games, listening to cassettes or talking books, storytelling, debates, drilling, and aloud reading. Through these activities, students may enhance their vocabulary. 2 Logical-mathematical Intelligence Since learners with logical-mathematical intelligence enjoy doing science experiment, numbers, problem solving, and finding patterns, the teacher uses games and puzzles to help them in memorizing vocabulary. 3 Musical Intelligence To facilitate learners with musical intelligence, the teacher will use songs in English learning. The teacher will also ask the students to sing the song. These songs will assist the students in recognizing the vocabulary before going through to the next discussion. Songs selection is important. Thus, the teacher has to select simple songs and consider the appropriateness to the theme. 28 4 Bodily-kinaesthetic Intelligence The learners most likely doing activities that involved them actively. They usually learn by moving, touching, handling, and imitating. Therefore, the teacher may use games, field trip, role play or model building. 5 Spatial intelligence Mind mapping, maps, charts, colour-coding system are some activities that can develop spatial intelligence. The teacher will use pictures or other visual aids in the classroom. While in the materials, the teacher will provide some pictures and the name of the things which fit to the topic or theme. The teacher may also ask the students to draw and guess some pictures. Colourful pictures are interesting for children. 6 Interpersonal intelligence Interpersonal-skilled learners are fond of interacting with others. Therefore, interviews, dialogues, question-answer, project works, pair work, and problem are activities that can be applied in the classroom. 7 Intrapersonal intelligence The learners enjoy working independently. These learners are good at setting and achieving goals, gaining self-knowledge and self-esteem, and understanding their own feelings. Thus, learning activities which fit into them are reflective teaching, reflective listening, self evaluation, or journal writing. The teacher should provide evaluation to recognize their understanding in the learning process. 29 8 Naturalist Intelligence These learners are able to learn by observing. They notice the natural object as manipulative and as background for learning. Therefore, the teacher will utilize the surroundings to be observed.

4. Theory on Vocabulary a. The nature of teaching vocabulary

Teaching vocabulary is more than giving and presenting new words to students. It requires students’ ability to understand and use the words correctly. It is different between know and understand the words. A student knows how to pronounce a word and its meaning but he does not know how to write and use the word correctly. The student only knows but does not understand. In learning vocabulary, there is a process from knowing words until understanding the words. Wallace 1982:144 states that there are five aspects in learning vocabulary, those are, recognizing, recalling, pronouncing, spelling and using the words. According to Lado 1964: 121, there are three steps in teaching vocabulary. The first step is “the students hear the new word for several times”. The teacher must pronounce the words for several times and let the students hear them. Repetition is important for the students in knowing the correct pronunciation. The second step is “the students pronounce the words”. In this step, the teacher gives opportunity to the students to pronounce the words through reading and listening. This kind of activity will help the students in remembering and