CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FOUNDATION This chapter presents the theoretical foundation which outlines some theories related to the

present study. The theories presented in this chapter include the characteristics of vocabulary which consists of definitions of vocabulary, the importance of vocabulary and techniques in teaching vocabulary. The characteristics of a crossword puzzle are also presented which consists of definitions of crossword puzzle, crossword puzzle game tips and hints, and the advantages of Crossword Puzzle. This chapter also discusses the related studies about the use of game and crossword puzzle in teaching English vocabulary. 2.1. The Characteristics of Vocabulary The characteristics of vocabulary describe of the definition of vocabulary, the importance of vocabulary and technique in teaching vocabulary. 2.1.1. The definition of vocabulary According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary, vocabulary is the total number of words in a language. In a similar vein, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines vocabulary as all the words that someone knows, learns or uses, or the words that are typically used. In addition, Spencer in Aprian (2009) mentions that vocabulary is words which are used in the subject of knowledge

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and a list of words which are arranged such as in a dictionary complete with a clear and short explanation. Furthermore, Cameron (2001) states that knowing and understanding words mean knowing the form includes how it sounds, how it spelt, grammatical changes that could be made to it. The meaning includes its conceptual content, and how it relates to other words and concepts, and the use includes its patterns of occurrence with other words and in particular types of language use. Based on the definitions above, it can be concluded that vocabulary is a total number of words in language that is understood by users to communicate in daily life. 2.1.2. The importance of vocabulary A study from Scott, Jamieson-Noel, & Asselin in Ratnasari (2010), show that vocabulary knowledge plays a critical role in students literacy development. Without having vocabulary people cannot speak to each other. Related to the previous statement in chapter one, Wilkin in Thornbury (2004:13) mentions that without grammar very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed. It is true that vocabulary plays an important role in learning a foreign language; having strong vocabulary mastery will help students not only in speaking skills but also in other skills. Therefore, it is essential for English teachers to help their students in mastering vocabulary. Schmitt (1997: 5) gives a definition of vocabulary as follows:
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Vocabulary is a basis of a language: it is very important to be mastered first. We cannot speak well and understand written materials if we do not master it. Norbert Schmitt stated that no matter how successfully the sound of the foreign language is mastered, without words to express the wider range of meanings, communication in a foreign language just cannot happen in any meaningful way. From the opinion above it can be concluded that mastering the vocabulary of a foreign language is the most important thing before learning grammar because vocabulary is needed in oral communication. Similar to Cameron (2001) who states that vocabulary is one of the language systems, other than grammar that is important to be learnt. Vocabulary is an important part in language because there is no sentence without vocabulary. Students should learn vocabulary more extensively because the more vocabulary that the students master, the more skills that they can master in English. 2.1.3. Technique in teaching vocabulary Because of the importance of vocabulary, it needs a serious attention in learning vocabulary from both learners and teachers. Teaching is challenging task for teachers. They are required to discover what kind of methods that they use, what kind of vocabulary that they give, and how many vocabulary items that they should teach. Hatch and Brown in Cameron (2001) mention that there are five essential steps of learning vocabulary. First, having a source for encountering new words. Second, getting a clear image for the form of new words. Third, learning the meaning
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of new words. Fourth, making a strong memory connection between the form and the meaning of the words and finally, using the words. There are many ways to increase vocabulary mastery. Teachers should be able to create an excellent technique in teaching vocabulary for making students remember new words in easily. Gairns and Redman in Uberman (1998) suggest the following types of vocabulary presentation techniques: Visual techniques drive students to remember vocabulary by using pictures, realia, gestures and mimes (Gairns and Redman in Maria et al, 1999). Realia is an efficient technique of teaching learning vocabulary. Harmer (2007) emphasizes that realia helps the teacher to present the meaning of words and also simulated student activity. The use of realia in teaching vocabulary suggests that students need to bring a variety of real object in the classroom. According to Nation in Cameron (2001) the teacher can explain the means of new vocabulary by using pictures. A picture as a media can be used to illustrate a large object. Mime and gesture is one of effective ways for visual learner. The students can act out what the teacher commands, and then the students are able to command other students. Thornbury (2004) also says that there are some choices related to present the media of teaching vocabulary through real things, pictures and also actions or gestures.

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 Verbal explanation, this pertains to the use of definitions and illustrative situations, synonymy and antonym, scales (Gairns and Redman in Maria, 1999). Definition is expected to introduce a new word in English through the use of other words in the same language. Synonyms and antonyms, synonym are words that have same meaning as the unknown word in a given sentence. Meanwhile, antonyms are words that have opposite meanings of unknown words in a given sentence. Scales are a presentation of related words in scales that include the combination of both verbal and verbal techniques. For example, in the term 32 celsius. The degree sign is the visual. An explanation is technique explain the meaning and the use of a given a foreign word in foreign language itself. (Gairns and Redman in Maria, 1999). The use of dictionaries, most students use a dictionary to check the meaning of the words. A Dictionary is also used to discover unfamiliar words and expressions. Harmer (2007:239) states that dictionaries contain a wealth of information about words that students can gain from it; not only mean but also they can see how to operate the words. Students can use a variety of dictionaries: bilingual, monolingual, pictorial, and thesauri. 2.2. The Characteristics of Crossword Puzzle The characteristics of crossword puzzle explain the definition of crossword puzzle, crossword puzzle tips and hints, the advantages of using crossword puzzle.
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