THE USE OF
CROSSWORD PUZZLE TO IMPROVE STUDENT’S VOCABULARY
Vocabulary
is one of aspects in English. It is very important for studying English.
Learner who just learns grammar without vocabulary will be difficult to convey
what he or she wants to say. However, learner who just learn vocabulary or just read text or
open dictionary will be able to say something (Harmer, 2001; 13).
Vocabulary is needed to improve the four English skills; listening, speaking,
reading, and writing. This means that the vocabulary plays an important role
for the study in their field of study. The students, who are less in
vocabulary, will be difficult in understanding the text, unable to speak
English, and difficult to write their own idea. In addition, students with a small
vocabulary also read slowly because they do not understand many of words or
have to stop and look them up in dictionary (Edwards, 2006; 177).
In
improving the student’s achievement in teaching learning process, the teachers
have an important role. Teachers are in constant search of essential activities
that allow students to improve their learning abilities of foreign language.
The teachers must know the condition of the students. In the other hand, method
has an important role in teaching learning process. Method which is used by the
teacher can make students enjoy in learning. The teacher must use the
appropriate method in teaching learning process that can make students is easy
to acquire the new vocabulary. Game is one of method that can make students
feel enjoy in learning. The students can do both of learning new vocabulary and
play game. In addition, games are helpful because they can make students feel
that certain words are important and necessary (Allen; 1983:54).
Without those words, the students can not finish the game. There are many games
which can be used in teaching learning process. One kind of game is crossword
puzzle. By crossword puzzle, the students can get new vocabularies and improve
their vocabulary. According
to Edward (2006; 74), there are some of activities that will help build
vocabulary that are using words in conversation and doing crossword puzzle. Therefore, the researcher
suggests crossword puzzle in teaching vocabulary. Crossword puzzle can train
the student’s brain to recall the new words. Moreover the students will learn
English by sharing with their friends to finish the crossword puzzle.
Crossword is puzzle in which words have to
be written (from numbered clues) vertically and horizontally (up and down) in
scales on a chequered squared or oblong (Hornby; 1963: 233). Puzzle is problem design
to test a person’s knowledge (Hornby; 1963: 652). Crossword Puzzle is problem
design to test a person’s knowledge in which words have to be written
vertically and horizontally in spaces on a squared.
In Oxford Learner’s
dictionary (2003;103), crossword is puzzle in which words have to be guessed
from clues and written in spaces in a grid.
A crossword is a word puzzle that normally takes the form of a square or rectangular
grid of white and shaded squares (http://www.wikipedia.org).
Puzzle is game that you have to think about carefully in order to answer it or do
it (Oxford Learner dictionary; 2003:349). Puzzle is game or toy to exercise the
mind (Longman Handy Learners’ Dictionary of American English: 2000:336) From
some definitions above, the writer can conclude some definition of crossword
puzzle:
·
Crossword puzzle is a game that you have
to think about carefully which is consist of words that written in space in a
grid.
·
Crossword puzzle is a game to exercise
the mind which is consist of words that written in space in a grid.
·
Crossword puzzle is a game that you have
think about carefully which is normally takes the form of a square or
rectangular grid of white and shade square.
·
Crossword puzzle is a game to exercise
the mind which is normally takes form of square or rectangular grid of white
and shade square.
In
the definition above shows that crossword puzzle is a game. In our daily live,
It can be an exercise our mind which is done in our free time as a filler. In
teaching learning process, it can be a game which helps the students in
improving vocabulary.
There
is the type of games that usually called fillers. These are not mainly games,
but they are activities, which can be turned into games by incorporating the
competitive element to them (http://www.wikipedia.org), they consist of:
a. Quizzes are not games as their name indicates;
however, games can become quizzes. One of the purposes of games is for the
teacher to evaluate students' knowledge. They are generally used in an
end-oflesson activity to check student’s retention.
b. Riddles, whose main goal is to develop students’
listening or reading comprehension. It can improve students’ vocabulary too
(Lee; 1963:124). For Example, the teacher said, “What do we use to cut our meet?
“Write down your answer on your paper”. (the answer is knife)
c. Crossword puzzles, which are mainly focused on
vocabulary and spelling practice. Crossword puzzle can improve the students’ vocabulary
by filling the words in the clues and reading the clues of crossword puzzle.
Sometimes, the teacher gives the clues of crossword puzzle orally, so the
students listen and write down the clues. It can train the students’ spelling
and listening.
The
Kind of Crossword Puzzle In teaching vocabulary by using crossword puzzle,
there is some kinds of crossword puzzle which can be done the students, they
are: (http://www.crossword.com).
·
Oral crossword, The oral crossword is the
crossword which is the clue is given orally by the teacher, and the students
just get the blank crossword. Only give the students the puzzle with no clues
what so ever. Give the clues orally. In a foreign language class, this can be
an excellent listening activity. Tell students to fill in what they can and
then repeat the clues once more at the end.
·
Picture crossword is the crossword which
is the clue consist of picture. Only give the students the puzzle with no
clues. For each clue, hold up a picture. This works especially well with a unit
that involves alot of new vocabulary.
·
The object crossword is the crossword in
which the clue is written on the object. Only give students the blank puzzle
with no clues. Place the items around the room, each labeled with their clue number.
Have students rotated around the room to different stations; allow them to pick
up the objects as they complete the puzzle. This tactile version of the puzzle
is great for those students who are handson learners. This type of puzzle works
well for units with a lot of vocabulary.
The
Procedure of Presenting Crossword Puzzle
In
presenting crossword puzzle, the teacher can do the various ways. The procedure
of presenting crossword puzzle must make the students are interested to do the
crossword puzzle. The various procedures are possible (Lee; 1963:135):
1. The
teacher gives the same crossword for each student. They solve individually with
the help of written clues.
2. The
teacher divides the class into groups. Then the teacher gives a different crossword
for each group. Everyone in the group helps to solve it. However, if there is a
more active member in one group, they tend to do all the work. In otherwise, if
there is a more passive member in one group, they will difficult to do all the
work.
3. Teacher
gives crossword puzzle for all of students. They do the crossword individually.
Then the teacher divides the class into groups and then they work in groups.
The students can share their answer to finish their crossword in their group.
4. The
teacher write crossword on the board, but no written clues. The teacher gives
clues orally and solves the crossword step by step with the class. The class is
divided into groups and each group come to the board and writes the words in
one by one.
Furthermore,
the teacher can be creative in presenting crossword puzzle. For example, the
teacher divides the class into groups. Then the teacher gives the same
crossword for each group. The group who finished in the first time and all of
the answer is right will be given a point. It can be more interesting, if there
is a prize for the winner.
In
addition, crossword puzzle consists of a crossword and clues. The clues are the
guidance for solving crosswords puzzle. There are three kinds of clue:
a. Picture
The clue is consisting
of picture which shows something, so the learner can guess the word. For
example:
What is this animal? (The answer is rabbit)
b. Definition
This clue is by giving
the meaning of word in crossword puzzle. For example: Be no longer valid (The
answer is expire)
c. Sentences
completion
This clue is consisting
of sentence in which the answer is by fill the missing word. For example: My
father’s brother is my …. (The answer is uncle)
A
crossword puzzle is an important strategy which is used to teach vocabulary,
this strategy can create challenges and entertainment between students. In this
article, it is important to realize the problem which students face when they
learn vocabulary and evolve such methods and techniques which should help
learners to improve their knowledge of vocabulary. And I hope this article can
help you to improve and add your students’ vocabulary.
TRY THE CROSSWORD PUZZLED
Crossword
Complete the crossword, then click on "Check" to check your answer. If you are stuck, you can click on "Hint" to get a free letter. Click on a number in the grid to see the clue or clues for that number.
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