A large vocabulary helps the students to express them ideas precisely, vividly, and without repeating themselves in composition or conversation.
From some opinions above, it can be known that vocabulary is a total number of words used by a person to express ideas and experiences in
communication as a means of expression.
3. Kinds of Vocabulary
Vocabulary varies in the four skills of language; listening, writing, reading, and speaking. Generally, a student will absorb listening and speaking
vocabulary before coming to the reading and writing vocabulary. In the terms of teaching and learning process Jack. C. Richards, John Platt, and Heidi Platt
give some comments concerning with the method of foreign or second language teaching which a Emphasizes the teaching and speaking and
listening before reading and writing, b Uses dialogs and drills, c Discourages use of mother tongue in the classroom, d Often makes use
of contrastive analysis.
19
In a function, vocabulary is classified into two kinds:
a. Active Vocabulary
Active vocabulary refers to language items which the learner can recall and use appropriately in speech and writing and it is also called as
19
Jack. C. Richards, John Platt, Heidi Platt, Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching an Applied Linguistic, London: Longman group UK Limited, 1992, p. 25
productive vocabulary.
20
It means that to use the productive vocabulary, the learners are supposed to know how to pronounce it well, they must
know and be able to use grammar of target language, they are also hoped to be familiar with collocation and understand the connotation meaning of
the words.
b. Passive Vocabulary
Passive vocabulary refers to language items that can be recognized and understood in the context of reading or listening, and it is also called
as Receptive Vocabulary.
21
It means that the learners can recognize and comprehend the context of reading and the listening materials.
In the first level of a course, the active vocabulary is more prominent. But when the learners at higher level of study such as
intermediate or advanced level, passive vocabulary is more useful.
22
It means that teacher should teach the active vocabulary first, before she
teaches the passive vocabulary to the learners. On other occasional, other experts have classified vocabulary into
potential vocabulary and real vocabulary. Potential vocabulary consists of words, learners will recognize even though they have not seen them in
20
Ruth Gairns and Stuart Redman, Working with Words: A Guide to Teaching and Learning Vocabulary, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986, p. 64
21
Ibid., p. 64
22
Gail Ellis Barbara Sinclair, Learning to Learn English, Sydney: Cambridge University Press, 1989, p. 63
second language, and real vocabulary consists of words, the learner is familiar with after and because of exposure.
23
The most important point of the productive vocabulary or receptive vocabulary is that it suggests that there are different ways to
“know” a word. Knowing a word includes being able to recall its meaning and being able to see which shade of meaning a word is most suitable for
the context that occurs. By knowing the meaning of a word may include being able to make various associations with other related words. That
what is considered sufficient knowledge under one circumstance will probably not be sufficient under others.
4. Ways of Presenting New Vocabulary
