CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses: (1) Background, (2) Problem Statement, (3) Scope and
limitation of the Research, (4) Objective of the Research, (5) The Significance of the
Researcher, (6) Definition of key terms.

A. Background
English is the language most often used and when people from different nations meet
each other, English is the only connecting language used by them. Because English is a
language that is universally accepted. English also has an important role in the academic
aspects, for example in education in some subjects that are required to learn English. In this
case the mastery of English is very important because it is not just translating but also
understanding. According to ?
Learning English is a very pleasant thing for some students who are interested in it, but
there are some students who are less motivated in learning English. The role of the teacher
is very important in this case so that students feel interested and motivated in learning. Four
English language skills namely Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. These four skills
each student has an interest in mastering each skill while some students are able to have an
interest in the four skills. In this study focused on listening skills so students can be
motivated and feel interested in learning English.
According to Rost (1994) :
“If learners want to learn to speak, they should first learn to understand the spoken
language they hear. If learners want to communicate with native speakers, they
should first learn to understand in real language situations to comprehend the main
point of what native speakers are telling. Therefore, listening is very important to
which teachers and learners should pay enough attention t obtain communication
aims. Listening is very important in language learning because it provides input for
learners and also an important role in development of learners’ language
knowledge”
According to Kurita (2012):
“Learners may find listening comprehension skill difficult to learn and this requires
teachers to change their listening exercises into more effective ones. The development
of listening comprehension skill helps learners to succeed in language learning and
 increase their comprehensible input. Since learners’ self-confidence in listening
comprehension can be increased, they are motivated to have access to spoken English
like conversations with native speakers”.
It means that listening is the ability to understand the messages being expressed by the
speaker through the sound. The ability to listen is also very important to master because the
benefits are very good for communicating. In building good communication with others,
students must do in order to understand the meaning of the message conveyed by the
interlocutor when they have a conversation. Listening ability is needed.
According to Rost (2009) :
“Listening is an active mental ability. It helps us to understand the world around us
and is one of the necessary parts in making successful communication (as cited in
Pourhosein Gilakjani & Sabouri, 2016)”
Pourhossein Gilakjani and Ahmadi (2011) :
“Listening includes listening for thoughts, feelings, and intentions and this needs
active involvement, effort, and practice. Without listening ability, communication is
impossible”.
The teacher are able to increase the motivation of students so that they have a full
interest and feel happy when learning English, especially for students are passive in their
class. For students who are passive, it is a good challenge for the teacher so that the passive
students becomes active and begins to have interest in learning. When students are able to
master listening skills, it is a very good thing especially to improve fluency in
communication and find new vocabulary.
Thomlison (1984) and Hamouda (2013) :
“Defined listening as the ability to recognize and understand what others are telling.
This process includes understanding a speaker's pronunciation, the speaker’s
grammar and vocabulary, and understanding of meaning. Building your vocabulary
will improve your conversational skills and your reading skills as well as your
listening skill”.
According to Richards and Renandya (2002, 255) :
“The vocabulary mastery as one of language components will support the students’
ability in communication both oral and written. Vocabulary is one of the core
components of language proficiency and determines how well learners speak, listen,
read, and write. In listening, the students’ vocabulary mastery will influence their
 understanding in hearing the lecturers’ explanation, the conversation of native
speakers, and other speeches”.
The more words your learn and memorize, the better listener you will become. So, there
are relationship between listening and vocabulary. When you listen, you also know about
new word that you hear, so that the teacher must to make students’ interest in learn listening
by using songs.

According to Richard (2002) :

“A song is a relatively short musical composition for the human voice, which features
words or lyrics. Sometimes it has rhymes and uses a language style that is different
from the language style which is used in a scientific or formal text. The words within
a song are sung in particular tones, rhythms, speed and style”.
A song usually is accompanied by music instruments, which perfect and beautify its
performance. It means that the students simply enjoy hear the songs. Focusing in the
problem faced by the students in listening, this study tries to apply songs in improving
students’ listening skill. Hopefully, through this approach the student are interested in
learning English and to increase their listening skill.

B. Problem Statement
Based on the background above, the researcher formulates the problem as follow: Does
use of English Songs to improve students’ vocabulary in listening skills at MTS Negeri
Tarakan?
C. Scope and limitation of the Research

D. The Objective of The Research

This research aims to find out whether the use English songs to improve students’
vocabulary in listening skill at MTS Negeri Tarakan.

E. The Significance of the Research

The writer hope, the finding of this study will be useful for :
1. Students
It’s hoped that students can improve students’ vocabulary in listening skill by English
songs.
2. Teachers
 Encourage the teacher to find the best method in teaching listening skill.

F. Definition of key terms

 BAB II
LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter discusses : (1) Definition of Listening Skill, (2) Definition of English
Songs, (3) Definition Songs, (4) Definition Vocabulary, (5) Theoretical Framework.

A. Definition of Listening Skill

Listening is very important in foreign language study.