Background of the Study

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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

This chapter deals with background of the study, reasons for choosing the topic, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, hypothesis, significance of the study, and outline of the report.

1.1 Background of the Study

Every people needs a language in their lives. Language is very important for them because they need to socialize with others. Harris 1969:9 stated that there are two forms in a language, the spoken and written. There are so many languages that are used by many people in the world. People can communicate with others if they speak the same language. Hidayati 2008:1 stated that Indonesian people need an international language if they want to communicate with others from different country. English is one of important things in the world. Every people need English as a tool to communicate with people from other countries, because English is an international language. Everybody has to know it and can use it as an international language to communicate. As mentioned by Harmer 2007:11, “Many people learn English because they think it will be useful in some way for international communication and travel. Such students of general English often do not have a particular reason for going to English class, but simply wish to learn to speak and read and write the language effectively for wherever and whenever this might be useful for them.” In learning English, the first thing we have to emphasize is the vocabulary. Vocabulary is very important in a language. Thornbury 2002:13 stated that without grammar we convey very little, but without vocabulary we convey nothing. Furthermore, Brown 2006 stated that in teaching ESL students, teachers can use fairy tales, nursery rhymes and songs. It can be fun and educational for everyone involved. Using songs in learning process make the children do not think that learning vocabulary is difficult, they can learn English using subtitled English songs easily. Nowadays, many of junior high school teachers in Indonesia are still using conventional methods, media, and techniques to teach students. They need an exciting learning to learn vocabulary easily, because many students face problems in learning English vocabulary. If teachers use some unique methods, media, or techniques in learning, it goes without saying that children will pay more attention in learning. In this modern era, song is very popular. Almost everyone knows about songs. Many benefits that we can get from songs. In supporting children learning in vocabulary, teachers have to find some media, methods and technique that children like. Almost children like songs, so teacher can use songs as media in teaching. Songs have been designed to motivate the students to participate the English teaching and learning vocabulary. People can get many vocabularies from songs. As a result, the students can remember the words of songs and learn the vocabulary easily. Using songs as media to improve vocabulary mastery is rarely used and different from what they usually get in the class. Songs give many advantages for students. Not only as a media in learning vocabulary in class, but also they can sing songs at home. They are not only as the subject of the teaching process but also as participant. Many Indonesian students find a lot of difficulties in learning English, since the rules of the language are different from those of their Indonesian. Therefore, they always encounter problems dealing with the structure, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, etc. This due to the fact that vocabulary is very important to help students improves their English. Nevertheless, their ability in mastering vocabulary is very low. M any people have assumption that students’ mastery of English is unsatisfactory. As a result, using a media in teaching and learning is very important to enrich vocabulary mastery. Subtitled English songs could be one of the best media to help children learn the English words easily. Children can learn vocabulary of English songs and they also know meaning in Indonesia through subtitles in Indonesia. Songs can helps students enrich their vocabulary mastery and improve their ability in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. The advantage of using this media is the students can memorize the words of the songs in their mind. Besides, it is also a kind of fun and enjoyable activities and children are always interested in song.

1.2 Reasons for Choosing the Topic