In addition, Townsend 2009: 243 argues that academic vocabulary words are one element of academic English. He has made a reference about academic
English in quoting Scarcella 2003: 19: “a variety or a register of English used in professional books and characterized by specific linguistic features associated
with academic disciplines”. In other words, we can say that academic vocabulary words are words which are related to the specific studies or fields and can be
found frequently in academic written books or other written references. Based on the definitions of academic vocabulary from many researchers that
are mentioned above, the writer concludes that academic vocabulary is words, phrases, or terms whichare related to the content of specific fields or studies. They
are rarely used in everyday language or conversation and commonly used in academic written texts or other references relate to the specific subject or topic.
2.2.3 The Importance of Learning Academic Vocabulary
Learning academic vocabulary is important for students‟ vocabulary knowledge development as well as support their academic achievement. As Townsend and
Collins 2008: 993 state that “the development of vocabulary in English makes an essential contribution to the academic achievement of English Learners ELs.”
Learning academic vocabulary is important for students when they learn technical terms in texts such as report text in which the use of technical terms is one of its
the language features. In addition, learning academic vocabulary is important whenthe students need to access academic textbooks or other references from the
internet.
Bintz 2011: 47 clearly highlightes the important needs to learn academic vocabulary.
To a large extent, this is due to the fact that the need for extensive vocabulary knowledge grows in both breadth and depth as students get
older. In school, this need becomes particularly important and challenging given the fact that students are required to comprehend
and discuss increasingly sophisticated readings across the content areas as they progress through the middle grades.
According to the quotation above, we can take some important points about the importance of learning academic vocabulary. It is important for the students to
develop their academic vocabulary because they should read many written references contain academic words related to the specific subjects or fields and
they are not only required to read these texts, but also they should comprehend these texts.
Moreover, the importance of learning academic vocabulary for secondary school students is related
to the students‟ need to access academic texts for their academic purposes. As Townsend and Collins 2008: 995 view “general
academic vocabulary words pose unique challenges to students due to the abstract and often opaque nature of the words, yet students need to develop knowledge of
these words, particularly through print exposure, in order to access academic texts and discourse.” It is a challenge for students to learn academic vocabulary. Not to
mention, when the students get higher level of school and will start to deal with academic vocabulary in many academic texts or other references, they need to
develop their vocabulary including academic vocabulary. Especially for eleventh grade students of Senior High School, they should learn factual report, in which
one of the linguistic features in report text is the use of technical terms or technical language. Larson, Dixon, and Townsend 2013: 16 explain that
“active vocabulary practice is invaluable to their academic success, because it helps
young adoloscent learners develop academic language and access academic texts.”
It is concluded that the importance of learning academic vocabulary is related to the stu
dents‟ need to access the knowledge from the sources of learning such as academic textbooks or the other references from the internet. In order to
access and comprehend academic texts or other references consist of academic words effectively, they should learn about academic vocabulary. Besides, learning
academic vocabulary contributes to the students‟ vocabulary development as well as supports their academic achievement.
2.2.4 Language Learning Strategies to Develop Academic Vocabulary
