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Spender’s statement as cited in Taylor 1990 reminds the researcher how important the process of teaching vocabulary is. In TK Kanisius Kotabaru,
Yogyakarta, vocabulary is also the central aspect of English language teaching
and learning. The English teacher of TK Kanisius Kotabaru, Yogyakarta introduces English vocabulary to the students in class A and class B. The English
teacher applies several supporting media such as songs, flashcards, stories, and videos to teach English vocabulary.
a. Principle of Teaching Vocabulary
In teaching vocabulary, there are some considerations underlying the process of teaching. Many theories talk about those considerations or as we call it,
principles. In this study, the researcher uses the theory of Nation about the principles of teaching vocabulary 1990. According to him, there are three 3
principles , namely 1 what vocabulary is needed by the learners, 2 how the learners will learn, and 3 how to test what the learners still need to know and
what the learners know already p. 4.
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b. Strategies of Vocabulary Learning
Suyanto 2007 notes four 4 simple ways of learning vocabulary p. 48. Those four simple ways are illustrated as follows:
Figure 2.2 Simple Ways of Vocabulary Learning proposed by Suyanto 2007, p.48
Philips notes that vocabulary needs to be taught in context and that children should always be shown a range of possibilities to use the language that
they have learned in class as cited in Suyanto, 2007, p. 47. Additionally, Kurniasih suggests some techniques of teaching vocabulary
for young learners such as doing repetition, using pictures, showing realia, telling stories, singing songs, and playing games as cited in Witri, 2006, p. 9.
Suyanto 2007 states that there are four simple ways to learn English vocabulary p. 48. First, the English teacher pronounces new words clearly and
fluently using pictures or real objects step of introducing. Second, the English teacher gives examples step of modeling. Then, the English teacher asks the
Introducing The teacher introduces new words with
right and clear pronunciation using pictures or real objects
Practicing The teacher asks the students to repeat
and practice it. Modeling
The teacher gives examples and becomes the model.
Applying The teacher helps the learners to apply
the words in appropriate situation.
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kindergarten students for repeat and practice the words step of practicing. At last, the English teacher helps the kindergarten students to apply the words to
appropriate situations step of applying. The researcher works on Suyanto’s four simple ways, because those ways
can help the researcher in the process of designing media to teach English vocabulary. Thus, the research proposes an idea that can help the students to learn
vocabulary by enabling to learn actively, energetically, and enthusiastically Suyanto, 2007. More specifically, researcher designs a board game namely the
over-sized Snake-Ladder game as supporting media to teach English vocabulary to the students of TK Kanisius Kotabaru, Yogyakarta.
5. Game for English Language Teaching
