IMPROVING THE CLASS VII B STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY ACHIEVEMENT BY USING ENGLISH SONGS AT SMP NEGERI 1 JAMBESARI DARUSSOLAH BONDOWOSO IN THE 2011/2012 ACADEMIC YEAR

Abstract

This Classroom Action Research was intended to improve the class VII B students’ vocabulary achievement by using English song at SMP Negeri 1 Jambesari Darussolah Bondowoso in the 2011/2012 academic year. The research subjects were the students of the class VII B that were determined purposively by consulting to the seventh grade English teacher. Based on the information from the teacher, this class had the lowest mean score in vocabulary among the other existing classes. That was 59.5. This score was below the school standard score This classroom action research was done in two cycles in which each cycle covered four stages of activities, namely planning the action; implementing the action; observing and evaluating; and analyzing the data and reflecting the action. Each cycle was conducted in two meetings. The data about the students’ vocabulary achievement were collected by administering the vocabulary test after the actions given. Observation was used to monitor the process of teaching vocabulary through English song and the students’ participation in the classroom. The supporting data were collected by interview and documentation. In cycle I, the results of the vocabulary test showed that the mean score of the students’ achievement test was 65.6. Then, there was only 44.4% of the total student’ could achieve the target score, that was at least 70. In other words, the percentage of the students’ who got score at least 70 was below 75%. Then, based on the classroom observation it was revealed that there were two indicators that had not been fulfilled. Only 41.4% of the students memorizing the words in the song and 50% of the students did not answer the teacher’s questions. It means that the result of the observation had not achieved the requirement of the research, that was at least 75% of the students did at least four from five indicators being observed. It showed that this research result had not fulfilled the criteria of the success of the action. Therefore, the actions in cycle II were conducted in order to improve the students vocabulary achievement by using English songs. The actions were continued to the second cycle by revising some necessary aspects . First, the teacher delivered the questions proportionally to the whole class and pointed the students who never answered the questions. Second the new English songs were given when the whole class was ready. Next, the first time the teacher sing the song then students were asked to sing and act out the song together twice without teacher guidance. In the second cycle, the results of vocabulary test showed improvement. The mean score of the students’ vocabulary achievement test was 72.5 Based on the results, it could be concluded that the teaching of vocabulary by using English songs as well as their active participation in the process of vocabulary teaching and learning . Then, it is suggested that the English teachers use English songs as a media in teaching vocabulary since it could make the students participate actively in the teaching learning process of vocabulary and improve their vocabulary achievement.