TEACHERS’ STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY IN EFL CLASSROOM (CASE STUDY AT SMP 27 DEPOK)

Abstract

Vocabulary is one of important aspects in English skill. Without proper vocabulary, the English skill of students would be getting difficult or blunt. This study aims to find out the problem faced by students and teacher's strategies to improve students' English vocabulary at SMP Negeri 27 Depok. The sample of this research is 34 students; divided into two classes, A and B class. This research is categorized as the case-study research by conducting a descriptive qualitative method. The steps that writer collects the data by observing and interviewing both students and teacher as well. As a result of this study, there are some problems faced by students in improving vocabulary, as follows: (1) Students of SMP Negeri 27 Depok have difficulty understanding new vocabulary, (2) Students do not memorize vocabulary, and finally, (3) Students are still lacking in terms of writing structure. The strategies that are implemented: (1) Encouraging students to use e-dictionary, (2) Encouraging students to memorize more vocabulary, (3) Teachers teach through some classical games, and lastly, (4) The teacher gives students a task to complete vocabulary exercises or writing sentences using new words to practice their writing skills. The strategies are able to sharpen the students’ abilities in writing skills as they follow English learning effectively.