commit to user for advance learners. The knowledge is used to expresses physical objects or
ideas, moreover, it can be used in the appropriate context in communication.
3. Teaching Vocabulary to Young Learners
Decarrico 2001: 285 states “vocabulary learning is central to language acquisition, whether the language is first, second, or foreign.” In
every language, vocabulary mastery is important because the lack of vocabulary makes the communication not run smoothly. Because of that
reason, vocabulary should be introduced to the learners with the appropriate technique.
According to McKeown and Beck in Linse 2005: 122, it is important to use both formal and informal vocabulary instruction that engages
students’ cognitive skills and gives opportunities for the learners to actually use the words. The cognitive skills are needed by students to think and
analyze which of two words would be a better choice in a sentence Linse says that teaching vocabulary should be integrated into
teaching the four skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing. For example, the teachers introduce students to specific lexical items that they
would encounter as part of their reading lesson 2005: 122. Nation in Nunan 2003: 135 - 140 mentions the principles for
teaching vocabulary as follows: a. Focus on the most useful vocabulary
commit to user Teaching useful vocabulary before less useful vocabulary gives learners
the best return for their learning effort. The most useful depends on the goals of the learners for example vocabulary for elementary school,
junior high school, senior high school, or vocational school. b. Focus on the vocabulary in the most appropriate way
Here are the examples of vocabulary learning strategies: word parts, guessing from context, using word cards, and using dictionaries.
c. Give attention to high frequency words across the four strands of a course Vocabulary should get deliberate attention through teaching and study and
should be met and used in communicating messages in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
d. Encourage learners to reflect on and take responsibility for learning There is an important principle that lies behind choosing and learning and
that is that learners need to realize that they must be responsible for their own learning.
Nation in Cameron 2001: 85 gives basic techniques by which teachers can explain the meaning of new words in the young learner
classroom: a. By demonstrating
1 Using an object, a cut-out figure, pictures, photographs 2 Using gesture or performing an action
3 Drawing diagrams on the board
commit to user b. By explanation
1 Analytical definition 2 Putting the new word in a defining context e.g. an ambulance takes
sick people to hospital 3 Translating into another language
Ur 1996: 63 also gives ways of presenting new vocabulary to the students as follows:
a. Concise definition as in a dictionary; often a superordinate with qualifications: for example, a cat is an animal which . . . . .
b. Detailed description of appearance, qualities, . . . . . c. Examples hyponyms
d. Illustration pictures, objects e. Demonstration acting, mime
f. Context story or sentence in which the item occurs
g. Synonyms h. Opposites antonyms
i. Translation
j. Associated ideas, collocations
Teaching young learners is not easy. They have different characteristics from adult. Children life cannot be separated from playing.
Children also love games. Rixon in Brumfit, et al. 1991: 33 state that “It is commonplace that young children learn better through play or at least can be
commit to user induced to go along with teaching that is tempered by ‘fun’ activities.” In line
with that opinion, teaching vocabulary for young learner should be presented in fun activities.
Based on the explanation above, teaching vocabulary for young learner should be integrated into teaching the four skills – listening, speaking,
reading and writing. The teachers should choose appropriate technique to introduce new words to young learner. Remembering that young learner can
not concentrate on one thing in a long time, the technique chosen should be ‘fun’ as the children’s life. Dealing with this research, technique chosen to
introduce new words is using diagram but it is presented in ‘fun’ activity, like a game. The diagram is word webs. To explain the meaning, pictures are
chosen because they are fun and children like it.
B. Review on Word Webs 1. The Definition of Word Webs
