Language Teaching and Technology

LANGUAGE TEACHING AND TECHNOLOGY

FINAL ASSIGNMENT

ACADEMIC ESSAY

By

ANNISA RIZQI HANDAYANI

2201410124

Rombel : 403-404

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

LANGUAGES AND ARTS FACULTY

SEMARANG STATE UNIVERSITY

2013

THE USE OF COMPUTER WORD GAME TO TEACH VOCABULARY

FOR CHILDREN

1.             Introduction:

1.1         Background of the Study

In language learning, vocabulary plays an important role. It is a language component that links the speaking, listening, reading and writing skill. Therefore, teaching vocabulary is very important to improve the students’ language skill.

However, in some cases, the vocabulary teaching for children cannot run effectively because of the use of unattractive learning media. Monotonous and conventional learning media may cause students’ boredom in the classroom. That is why, language teacher is demanded to apply the appropriate learning method and media that will encourage students to understand and comprehend the language material given by teacher.

Nowadays, the use of information and communication technology has become very important. Computers and internet have developed become a large source of information from around the world. In education field, the use of multimedia has significantly changed students’ learning processes.

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs have important factors that can motivate, challenge, increase curiosity and control, and promote fantasy in children (Tzeng, 1999). Since students, especially children are highly motivated by the use of computers, the language learning will be more enjoyable with the use internet and multimedia rather than with conventional methods. Therefore, teacher should use the multimedia as often as possible in order to make the language learning process more effective and fun.

In order to enrich students’ vocabulary, teacher can use several fun computer words’ games such as Hangman, Hangaroo, Scrabble, etc. In this essay, the writer will focus on Hangman and Hangaroo game to be used in teaching vocabulary. Hangman game is a computer word game in which the gamer should guess the hidden phrases by selecting letters from the alphabet to fill in the blank to answers the given questions. Hangaroo game is similar with Hangman, with newer version. The phrases used in the Hangaroo game is usually consist of the definition of terms, antonym, synonym, name of things and so on.

Based on this reasons above, the researcher decides to arrange an essay about the use of word games, especially Hangman and Hangaroo game to enrich the students’ vocabulary competence ­

1.2     Objectives of the Study

The writer has some objectives in writing this essay as follow:

1)        This essay is used to analyze whether there is significant difference of students’ vocabulary competence between the students who were taught using ‘computer word game’ and those who were taught using conventional media.

2)        This essay is used to find out the effectiveness of computer word games in giving contribution to improve students’ vocabulary competence.

2.             Review of Related Literature

2.1         Previous Studies Related to the Current Research Study

There are a number of researchers who have conducted some studies related to teaching of vocabulary. One of the studies was conducted by Prasetiawati (2012) who wrote about whether the use of Hangaroo game is effective to teach vocabulary for fourth graders students’ of elementary school. At the end of the research she concluded that using Hangaroo games in teaching vocabulary mastery is effective enough particularly in junior high school, because it can make students remember the vocabulary and can be used to add vocabulary easily.

Another researcher is Petra (2011) who wrote about games to study vocabulary. He wanted to help students to be more interested in learning vocabulary and help the teachers to find an alternative way in teaching English, especially in vocabulary teaching by using word games. The result of the research proved that the use of word games such as Hangman and Synonym Match is effective to improve students’ vocabulary competence.

Based on the studies above, there are some effective word games can be used in teaching vocabulary. In this research, the researcher describes the use of word games to enrich students’ vocabulary competence. The difference of this study and the previous studies is the learners as the subjects of the research.

2.2  Vocabulary

2.2.1  Definition of Vocabulary

There are a number of definitions of vocabulary stated by language experts:

a.       Vocabulary is the total number of word in a language. (Hornby, 1995:1331).

b.      Vocabulary is one of components of language and that no language exists without words. Words are signs or symbols of ideas. It means that words tell our ideas, feelings, thoughts, either spoken or written (Napa, 1991:10)

c.       Vocabulary is all the words that a person knows or uses. And it is all the words in particular language or a list of words with their meanings, especially in a book for learning a foreign language (Hornby, 2000:1447)

From the definitions above, it can be concluded that vocabulary is component of language that has meaning in the form of words. Vocabulary is used by people as the basic knowledge of language learning to be able to communicate and interact with other people.

2.2.2  Teaching English Vocabulary

In teaching English vocabulary, teacher should consider several principles related to language learning. According to Cameron (2001:93), there are a number of general principles to help children for learning vocabulary, namely:

a.     Teachers can model how to use strategies and draw children’s attention explicitly to aspect of strategy use.

b.    Teacher can teach the sub skill needed to make use of strategies.

c.     Classroom task can include structured opportunities for using strategies

d.    Independent strategy used can be rehearsed in classrooms.

e. Young learners can be helped to reflect on the learning process through evaluating their achievement.

Based on the principles, teacher can use one of the strategies to teach vocabulary and modify it according to the students’ need. Therefore, the vocabulary teaching process will be enjoyable for students.

2.3  Computer Word Game

Hornby (1995; 486) states that game is an activity that you do to have some fun. By using game the students will be more interested in the learning process. In language learning, there are a number of language games can be used as learning media, which will make the students easier and more enjoyable in the learning process.

There are several kinds of language games that can be applied in language learning, one of those is computer word game. Computer word game is kind of game that allow to utilize children’s enjoyment with words. By using computer word games, students are demanded to guess some phrases containing several themes which will enrich their vocabulary.

2.3.1 Hangman Game

Hangman games have been very popular among students. Hangman is used often by teachers to practice spelling, pronunciation and concentration and just for fun. It demands the game players to be able to guess the word asked. If a letter chosen does not appear in the answer an extra line is drawn in a simple picture of a man being hanged. Players win if the phrase is guessed right before the picture has been completed.  It will help students to enrich their vocabulary by guessing the words demanded.

However, Hangman is an old program of computer word game that has not had complete components. In case of educational point, it needs to enable players to enter a list of vocabulary. Hangman is used often by teachers to practice spelling, pronunciation and concentration and just for fun.

2.3.2 Hangaroo Game

Hangaroo is the newer version of computer word games. It is similar to Hangman with more complete and attractive appearance. In playing Hangaroo, the players are asked to fill the phrase which consist of very interesting topics, such as everyday English. If the players choose wrong letters, the kangaroo on the game will be hanged. Hangaroo is a great computer word game, which is easy to be used. 

3.          Analysis

In learning the foreign language, children need some fun and interesting media to gain their learning motivation. Computer word game is a kind of learning media which is expected to be effective when it is applied to children in language learning. Based on the definition and description have been explained before, the writer conducts an analysis toward the use of computer word game to improve students vocabulary competence.

From the previous studies, it has been proven that computer word games, such as Hangman and Hangaroo, belongs to appropriate language learning media to be applied to children. The studies show that teachers who use Hangman and Hangaroo game to teach vocabulary will find the significant improvement of students’ vocabulary competence.

The writer also finds that there are several advantages and disadvantages of using computer word game to teach vocabulary for children. The advantages of teaching English vocabulary using computer word game can be explained as follow:

a.         It encourage students to be interested in English learning

Some people, especially children will find it difficult to learn foreign language. That is why, an attractive and fun learning media is needed in order to gain students’ interest in learning English.

b.        It can run through the boredom

Teacher can provide students the computer word game when the learning atmosphere turns into uncomfortable. Hangman and Hangaroo game will save the students from boredom.

c.         It can develop their linguistics skill, especially for spelling, pronunciation and concentration

By playing Hangman and Hangaroo game, students will find the development of their linguistics skill, especially for spelling, pronunciation and concentration which is related to vocabulary competence.

In the other hand, teacher should be aware of the disadvantages may be caused from the use of computer word game to teach vocabulary for children. The disadvantages of using computer word games are: a) students will be gambling; b) there will be some students who feel uncomfortable; c) it is difficult for teacher to manage the students in each group.

4.        Summary and Recommendation

       4.1 Summary

The use of computer word game is effective to increase the students’ vocabulary competence in English class. By playing computer word games, such as Hangman and Hangaroo, students will not only feeling relax and cheerful, but also will get some advantages related to their language competence.

4.2 Recommendation

Hangman game and the similar word game such as Hangaroo are recommended for teacher as the media to enrich students’ English vocabulary competence. However, it is important to know that the use of Hangaroo game is only used as the additional media to help students enhancing their vocabulary competence. Before giving the game, the teacher should give students understanding that they can use the Hangaroo game with some limitation and rules that should be obeyed.

5.   Bibliography

Sutheo, Cecilia. 2004. UsingOnline Resources in Teaching Vocabulary.

Hartoyo. 2012. ICT in Language Learning (Information and Communication Technology). Semarang: PelitaInsani.

Coles, Bobby. 2012. Games for Teaching Vocabulary in The Classroom. Accessed on July 1^st, 2013.www.helium.com/items/2284268-tips-for-teaching-kids-vocabulary

Prasetiawati, Nofi. 2012. Teaching Vocabulary Game in the Fourth Grade Students of Elementary School. Purworejo: Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo.


Here is the sample video of hangman game and how to play it.

To download the Hangman game, please click here.
To download the Hangaroo game, please click here.