commit to user
15 letter represent either a physical object or an idea. It can be formed from a single
or more than one word. On the other hand, it is necessary for one to know what vocabulary is
before discussing about vocabulary mastery. Horn By 1995: 985 illustrates that vocabulary is the total number of the words with their meaning and with rules for
combining them make up a language. Manser 1995: 461 in the Oxford Learners Dictionary states that vocabulary is the total number of words in a language, all
words know to a person used in a particular book, subject, or list of words with their meanings. From the definition, it is concluded that vocabulary is the total
number of words in a particular language that a person knows or uses.
2. The Importance of Vocabulary
Vocabulary is one elements of the language that should be learnt and taught. It can be denied that it will be hard to master language, without mastering
or understanding a certain number of vocabularies. McCarty 1990: Viii states that importance of vocabulary in language learning as follows: “no matter how
successfully the sounds of L2 are mastered, without words to express a wider range of meanings, communication in an L2just cannot happen in any meaningful
way”. Furthermore, Vocabulary mastery has important role in language skills
such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Wilkins 1982: 111 says that without grammar very little can be conveyed without vocabulary nothing can be
conveyed. It has to be realized that the student’s ability to read, to write, to listen,
commit to user
16 and to speak is conditioned by their vocabulary. In reading ability, vocabulary
helps learners in comprehending the text. In writing, it helps them to expand their ideas based on the topic sentence that they want. In listening, they comprehend
and understand what other person speaks. In speaking ability, vocabulary facilitates the learners to explain their ideas orally. In addition, according to Hatch
Brown 1995 vocabulary is a list or set of words, which might use in individual speakers. The meaning shows that vocabulary mastery has important
roles in communication. If there is someone who does not recognize the meaning of the key words that is used by his partner, he will unable to participate in the
conversations. It means that although the learners know syntax, grammar, or the other
elements of language but do not know the meaning of the words used, they will get difficulties in communication.
3. Vocabulary Mastery
Coulson et al 1987: 1050 define that mastery is skill use, or knowledge. It means mastery is the ability to use one of knowledge. While hornby 1984: 523
says that mastery is the complete control or knowledge. Here, mastery is the whole power or ability to direct knowledge. It means mastery is the ability to
combine skill and knowledge in one certain area. The certain area in teaching means a lesson taught. It is usually arranged by a standard of curriculum and
syllabus in every aspect whether the topic or the test.
commit to user
17 While vocabulary is a series of words in foreign language used to express
meaning in form of symbols of group of letter, either a physical object or an idea and it also can be formed from a single or more than one word. So, from both of
definitions above, vocabulary mastery can be constructed as an ability to combine skill or knowledge of words that used to express meaning, in case of the physical
object or idea, in form of symbols of group of letter in a single or more one word. From the definition above, mastery may be defined as the ability to use
skill or knowledge in one subject area based on recognized standard. While vocabulary, means a series of a words in foreign language used to express
meaning. Then vocabulary mastery define as an ability to combine skill or knowledge of words that used to express meaning, in case of the physical object
or idea, in form of symbols of group of letter in a single or more one word. In addition, Wesley 1998: 409 states that the term mastery is a great skill
or knowledge of something. While, Urborn 1998: 4160 says that mastery is great skill at doing something.
Vocabulary mastery can be measured by the requirements of generalization being able to define words and application selecting an
appropriate use of it. Cronbach 1942 in Schmitt and McCarty 1997: 315 states “vocabulary at that time focused only on the first to: generalization and
application. In addition Schmitt and McCarty 1997: 326 state “receptive and productive knowledge; may prove the only realistic way to measure depth of
vocabulary knowledge’. Words that the learners recognize and understand when they occur in context called as receptive knowledge while productive knowledge
commit to user
18 related to words which the learners understand, can pronounce correctly and use
constructively in speaking and writing. Further, Madsen 1983: 12 states that the purpose of vocabulary test is measure the comprehension and production of words
used in speaking or writing. The meaning shows that the vocabulary mastery can be measured when someone is able to comprehend and produce the words used in
speaking and writing. In this case, vocabulary mastery can be measured by the requirements of
receptive and productive vocabulary. Students are expected to be able to understand and define the meaning of words in listening and reading, pronounce it
correctly and then use it appropriately in speaking and writing. Considering the theories above, vocabulary is a set of words in a language
used by individual speakers. Mastery is a great skill or knowledge of something. So, vocabulary mastery can be defined as a great skill in using a set of words used
by individual speakers. In this case, vocabulary mastery has four aspects: 1 meaning, 2 spelling, 3 use of words, and 4 pronunciation.
4. Kinds of Vocabulary
