IMPROVING STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY MASTERY THROUGH WORD WALLS STRATEGY TO THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP SWASTA KARYA BHAKTI MEDAN

This study is aimed to improve students’ vocabulary mastery through word walls strategy. This strategy is one of appropriate strategies in improving students’ vocabulary mastery. The subject of this study is the eighth grade students of SMP Swasta Karya Bhakti Medan Class VIII A in the Academic Year of 2016/2017. This study was conducted by applying Classroom Action Research (CAR), which was performed in two cycles (cycle I and Cycle II) and each cycle consisted of three meetings. The instruments of collecting data were quantitative data (vocabulary tests) and qualitative data (observation sheets, daily notes, and photograph evidences). The results of vocabulary tests showed that the mean of the students’ score increased continuously from pre-test (8 %), formative test in cycle I (44 %) to post-test in cycle II (92 %). The observation sheets, daily notes, and photograph evidences showed that the students are interested in the teaching and learning processes through word walls strategy and this study ran well. It was found that word walls strategy could improve students’ vocabulary mastery. It is suggested that teachers of English should apply word walls strategy as one of the strategies in teaching vocabulary mastery.