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Related to the theories above, the researcher uses media as supporting tools in teaching English, because they improve the teaching and learning process,
and permit teachers and students to interact as human beings Brown et al, 1977. In this study, the researcher designs a board game as supporting media to improve
the process of English vocabulary teaching.
a. Game as Real-Thing Media
Gerlach, Ely, and Melnick 1980 note that games are a special category of media: real-things, a basic, operational model of a real-life situation that provides
students with explicit participation in a variety of roles and events p. 380. Gerlach et al 1980 also add that games for pupils can be used to raise the
awareness of the subject being studied p. 383. Moreover, Brown et al 1977 state that those activities motivate students to participate in wholesome
competition and productive learning, to practice skills, and to create decisions as well as learning the consequences of them p.292. Brown et al emphasize that
games also provide opportunities for creative play, experiences of interpersonal role-playing, and dramatizations that fulfill students’ interests and also
educational objectives p.292. In addition, Wright, Betteridge, and Buckby 2006 write that game as an activity which is entertaining and engaging, often
challenging. And also, an activity in which the learners play and usually interact with others p. 1.
b. The Reasons of Using Game
Many reasons come to our mind when we talk about why we use a game for language learning. Bell and Wieckert 1985 state that playing games in
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language learning can increase the motivation of students, help the socialization process of students, clarify confusing concepts, and integrate students of different
ability levels p. xxii. Moreover, Wright, Betteridge, and Buckby 2006 present four reasons why using games in language learning is important and useful. Those
reasons are 1 games help and encourage many learners to carry on their interest and effort in language learning, even though language learning is hard work, 2
games that help the teacher to create contexts in which the language is useful and meaningful provide one way of helping the learners to experience language rather
than study it, 3, games provide the key features of drill plus the opportunity to sense the working of language as living communication by making language
convey information and opinion, 4 games must be regarded as central to a language teacher’s list and not only as a way of passing the time p.2.
c. Advantages of Using Game
