Vocabulary flash card or Word flash card is perhaps worth mentioning at this point, even though they are not actually pictures. However, being used in a
similar way as picture flash card, they can often enrich the lesson. On top of that, those two can be indeed combined and applied together. As Wright 1990 pointed
out, word flash cards are most typically used in teaching reading and writing. Nevertheless, they will find their use in teaching vocabulary too, offering valuable
help mainly in teaching the spelling of newly learnt words, which definitely should not be neglected as it often is.
Learning from word card might be the simplest strategy of learning vocabulary. Nation 2001 described this strategy in Learning Vocabulary in
Another Language that a learner writes the foreign word on one side of a small card, and its translation of the first language on the other. The learner goes
through a set of cards and tries to recall its meaning. Vocabulary flash card can be fun, colorful, and creative way to aid in memory and retention of vocabulary
words. Flash cards are a tried and tested teaching and learning device inside and outside the classroom, for kids and adults alike. Some of these flash cards are
designed to perfect your English while others can help you learn a new language entirely. The key to using flash cards is to look at the word or definition on one
side, and test yourself to see if you can remember the answer written on the other. So you can perfect your knowledge of the vocabulary on the list and improve your
overall vocabulary.
b. The Design of Using Vocabulary Cards
To create a traditional vocabulary cards is on paper; write the word in very large writing on one side of the vocabulary cards. On the other side, write a
definition gained from a dictionary. Also, write a definition in your own words. You can also split the word into roots and define the roots. Also write
antonyms opposite words and synonyms similar words. Try to color-code the vocabulary cards e.g. Nouns with black color, verbs with blue color, adjective
with green color, and adverb with red color. If you want to get more involved,
you can also attach vocabulary cards by picture to assist learning. c.
The Purposes of Using Vocabulary Cards
Generally as the beginner to understand the sentence is not easy, especially if the student’s lack of vocabulary, that is why to know the
vocabulary is strongly important to understand the language. However it is crucial to know the technique to present the vocabulary to students.
According to Gairns and Redman 1991: 73- 74 “There are two
techniques in presenting vocabulary, visual technique and verbal technique. 1 Visual techniques includes visual, mime, gesture, visuals includes flash cards,
photograph, blackboard drawing, wall chart. They are extensively used for teaching concentrate items of vocabulary.
2 Verbal technique includes the use of illustrative situation oral or written, use of synonym and definition, contrast and opposite, scales and example of type
”.
From the definition above vocabulary cards included both of them. The purpose of vocabulary cards is to improve vocabulary; it is an important part of
education. Students tend to learn many words from hearing them, spoken around them, and learn further words from general reading, but they may forget what they
have learned. Therefore, this vocabulary cards as a medium for them to improve their vocabulary, many teachers also believe it helps for children to be specifically
taught to learn useful words and their meaning. One idea that may help for students is introducing vocabulary games, and one game in particular that
can be played for this purpose is vocabulary cards.
d. Advantages of Using Vocabulary Cards
Nation 2001 and Schmitt 1997 claimed that word cards are beneficial for vocabulary learning with Nation 2005 stated that using cards is an excellent
way of quickly increasing vocabulary size. Forget all the criticism you have heard about rote learning and translation; research has repeatedly shown that such
learning is very effective ”.
There are several advantages of language game as a medium of learning. Advantages include:
1 Game is a language learning media that can be used to increase levels of active learners in the process teaching and learning.
2 Language games can be used to revive learners in the excitement of learning that has begun to will.
3 Competitive nature that exists in the game to encourage learners to advanced racing.
4 Generate excitement and practice the skills. 5 Specific language, language games foster a variety of attitudes positive such
as solidarity, creativity, and self-confidence. 6 The material is usually communicated through the language game suggests
that it is difficult to forget. Teaching tool or media included also all games that can be played by
groups, lass, or both. The examples presented here is a the puzzle game cross, b a game to train the structure sentence patterns, c game to train the vocabulary,
d a game to practice reading and answer questions in writing, e a game to train hearing to distinguish and identify the words.
According to http:www.elf-design.comarticle-Visual-Vocabulary .html
“Visual elements are a major part of the design of vocabulary cards. A visual vocabulary is a way to improve and add to the messaging that is
contained in students’ mind. These elements should be used consistently. These are the several advantages over use of vocabulary cards.
1 It is simple to make. 2 The students write themselves their vocabulary card and it can improve their
vocabulary. 3 The elements of visual vocabulary become an interesting for students to read
and memorize a new vocabulary.
