1

ENRICHING VOCABULARIES: THE POWER OF TEACHING

VOCABULARIES THROUGH STUDENTS NAMES AND SIMILAR SOUNDS
FOR EARLY CHILHOOD LEARNING
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to help teachers teach vocabularies in a fun and effective
way. The core argument of this paper is teachers should know how to teach
vocabularies without burdening students while they are memorizing a lot of
vocabularies. Actually there are a lot of ways how to teach vocabularies such as but
not limited to using games, role plays, and crossword puzzles. The researcher
assumes that those three things are already commonly used in teaching vocabularies,
and that is why the researcher will try to explore teaching vocabularies through
students names and similar sounds. This exploration will not only help students in
learning but also proliferate teachers strategies in teaching vocabularies. There will
be two major points that will deeply be discussed in this paper. Those two things are
the implementation of teaching vocabularies through (1) students name, and (2)
similar sounds. Vocabulary is the foundation of the language that needs to be
mastered by the language users. Without vocabulary, language is basically
nonexistent in nature. It is showing that mastering vocabularies is important for the
language learners, while on the other hand limiting teachers strategies in teaching
still becoming teachers barrier to teach vocabularies. By that condition, finally this
paper is becoming important to be read and implemented by teachers around the
world for teaching vocabularies.
Keywords: Enriching vocabularies, the power of teaching vocabularies, students
names and similar sound

Introduction
Vocabularies is the foundation of a language that need to be learned first by the
language user before using the language. Mastering a language without mastering the
vocabularies first is impossible. The reason is because the production of a sentence in
spoken, written or in sign language will always come from vocabularies first. People
will never ever argue or express their feeling through spoken language without a
single word. So, mastering vocabularies from the first begining is becoming
important for the language user. Sedita: (2005: 1) stated, Word knowledge is crucial
to reading comprehension and determines how well students will be able to
comprehend the texts they read in middle and high school. So it shows that
mastering vocabulary is very important from the first begining, while on ther hand
Sedita: (2005: 1) added by saying, Comprehension is far more than recognizing
words and remembering their meanings. However, if a student does not know the
meanings of a sufficient proportion of the words in the text, comprehension is
impossible. The similar idea also comes from Davis in Allen (2006: 5), vocabulary
knowledge is related to and affects comprehension. The relationship between word
knowledge and comprehension is unequivocal. It can be conclude that vocabulary is
the basic skills to achieve speaking, listening, reading, and writings comprehension.
In status quo, although teachers have already known that vocabularies are
important for being taught, there is still teachers border in teaching vocabularies. It is
because in status quo the students learn the words less than six per day, so that this
hamper the students to master English in short time. Whereas there are a lot of
vocabularies need to be martered by students. Nagy and Anderson in Schmitt: (2000:
125) stated, The average upper primary school student encounters a minimum of
1,000 new word families per year while reading, with better readers being exposed up
to a possible 3,000-4,000 new vocabulary items. While, Schmitt: (2000: 142) stated,
In fact, 2.000 words seem to be the most commonly cited initial goal for second
language learners. In addition to allowing basic conversation, this number of words is
seen as providing a solid basis for moving into more advanced study. Moreover
Nation & Waring in schmitt: (2000: 143) stated, There is no magic vocabulary size
threshold that allows this, but the consensus seems to be that 3,000-5,000 word
families are enough to provide initial access to this kind of written material
Based on that condition, the researcher will try to explore another strategy to
improve students ability in mastering the words by using students names and similar
sounds. These two things will help students much in memorizing English
vocabularies without burden. The students like to remember English word when it is
related to themselves. Something that is interconnected with students life is more

interesting then other things. In this case something which is related to themselves is
students name. So when teachers teach English word which is similar with the
students name, they will enjoy and easily memorize the new words.
There are some key principles of teaching vocabulary according to Sokmen in
Schmitt: (2000: 146)
1. Build a large sight of vocabulary.
2. Integrated new words with previous words.
3. Provide a number of encounters with a word.
4. Promotes deep level of processing.
5. Facilitate imaging.
6. Make new word real by connecting them to the students word in some way.
7. Use variety techniques.
8. Encourage independent learning strategies.
By those principles, the researchers take the principles number 6 and 7 to explore
teaching vocabularies using students names and similar sounds.
What is teaching vocabularies by using students names and similar sounds?
Teaching English using studentss names is teachers teach English vocabulary
by using students name. Teachers take the students names and try to correlate the
students name with the English vocabulary. As an illustration, the students name is
Sita anggraini, then teachers pronounce the first name of Sita anggraini is come
from Sit. In English the pronunciation of Sit is the same with Seat and in
bahasa the word of Seat is meaning to say Tempat duduk. So, Sita anggraini
has memorized one English word from her name.
On the other hand, teaching English using similar sounds is teachers look for
the similar sound in English and in bahasa. After teachers found the similar words, it
could be taught to the students. For instance, the word of Pena in bahasa called
Pen in English, Bolla Ball, and Lampu Lamp and soon and so fort. Here is
called simmilar sounds.
How to teach vocabularies by using students names and similar sounds?
The students names are classified into two things, the first is the students
names based on the same pronunciation, and second of all is the students name based
on the students meaning. The students name based on the same pronunciation is how
to pronounce students name is exactly the same with how to pronounce English word
vocabularies. For example the students name is Hari Setiawan and in English when
people pronounce Hari is the same with Hurry, so the meaning of Hurry is
terburu-buuru in Bahasa. Here is called the first part of students names that student

name has the similar sound with English vocabulary. Second of all is the students
name based on the students meaning. In this teaching vocabularies, teachers should
know the students meaning first, after that teacher should transfer it into English
word. Why teachers need to do so, it is because sometimes the students name does
not have the same pronunciation with English word, but every name will always has
meaning behind and can be transleted into English. As an example the student name
is Sekartiyasa, this name has no similar sound in English vocabulary, that is why
teachers should know the meaning of the name than transleted into English. The
meaning of Sekar is Bunga in Bahasa and in Eglish Bunga is Flower, So the
student will remember their name in English is as a flower, when student remember
their name, they will remember the word Flower in English.
The similar sound is divided into four categories: (1) Sounds abbreviation (2)
Exactly the same sound (3) Sounds i change to ion, and (4) Slightly changing
sounds.
Sounds abbreviation is the abbreviation of words sound. As an example the
sound of Gelas in Bahasa will be abbreviated as Glass sound in English, the
sound of Kelas in Bahasa will be abbreviated as Class sound in English. So,
sounds abbreviation is the abbreviation of words sound. Second is about exactly the
same sound. Exactly the same sound is the source and the target language has the
same sound. For instance Plastik in Bahasa has the same sound with Plastic in
English, Politik in Bahasa has the same sound with Politic in English. The third
is the sound i change to ion . It is only i sound change to be ion sound.
As an illustration, Fondasi becomes Fondation, Generalisasi becomes
Generalization. Lastlty, the slightly changing sounds is the sounds only slightly
change to other sounds such as Publik in Bahasa becomes Public in English,
Sama in Bahasa is Same in English. So, there is only little change in the sound.
In conclusion, those four things which is having similar sounds between the target
and the source language is also have the same meaning.
Here is the list of the vocabularies and the explenation to use it in teaching
vocabularies have already explained above.
STUDENTS NAMES
The Same Sounds
Indonesia
Hari Pambuka
Agustin

English
Hurry
Agust

Indonesia
Siti
Tukul

English
Seat
Too cool

Meyana
Aprilia Siska
Karjongko
Iwan
Hevi
Fani
Tuti
Sendi

May
April
Car
One
Heavy
Funny
Tooth
Send

Edi Irawan
Tri Harinurdi
Eni
Sam Ashari
Hanifah
Listya
Fernando
Hesti

Add
Tree
Any
Some
Honey
List
Fair
Has

Students Meanings
Indonesia
Putri
Putra
Dwi
Cahya
Wulan
Bintang
Ardian
Sekar
Eka
Setyawati
Wikan
Ratri
Ambarwati
Warno
Sukarson
Muhammad
Surya
Wafi
Zain

Meaning of the Name

Seorang anak perempuan
Seorang anak laki-laki
Dua
Cahaya
Bulan
Bintang
Gunung
Bunga
Satu
Setia
Mengetahui
Malam
Luas
Warna
Keinginan yang baik
Terpuji
Matahari
Sempurna
Perhiasan

English
Daugther
Son
Two
Light
Moon
Stars
Mountain
Flower
One
Loyal
Know
Night
Wide
Colour
Good intention
Admirable
Sun
Perfect
Jewelry

SIMILAR SOUNDS
Sounds abbreviation
Indonesia
Pena

English
Pen

Indonesia
Gelas

English
Glass

Buku
Lampu
Kalem
Skema
Pulsa

Book
Lamp
Calm
Scheme
Pulse

Kelas
Bola
Polisi
Toleransi

Class
Ball
Police
Tolerance

Exactly the same sounds

Indonesia
Plastik
Politik
Kaset
Koin
Kamera
Skil
Vidio
Tisu
Bel
Dram
Bas
Sistem
Bisnis
Ekonomi
Konsep
Level
Teori
Mental
Jaket
Aerobik
Agronomi
Artis
Aset
Astronot
Karismatik
Cek
Sirkuit
Kolesterol
Kartun
Kursor
Domestic
Detektif
Disain

English
Plastic
Politic
Cassette
Coin
camera
Skill
Video
Tissue
Bell
Drum
Bass
System
Business
Economy
Concept
Level
Theory
Mental
Jacket
Aerobic
Agronomy
Artist
Asset
Astronaut
Charismatic
Check
Circuit
Cholesterol
Cartoon
Cursor
Domestic
Detective
Design

Indonesia
Filosofi
Spesifik
Doktrin
Instan
Konsisten
Trauma
Volum
Persen
Fens
Dobel
Kredibel
Lebel
Paten
Kopi
Prin
Total
Akses
Aksesori
Akting
Aktivis
Kalender
Kokpit
Koma
Kondusif
Kosmetik
Konseling
Konsil
Konter
Komitmen
Kupon
Koboi
krim
Kredit

English
Philosophy
Specific
Doctrine
Instant
Consistent
Trauma
Volume
Percent
Fans
Double
Credible
Label
Patent
Copy
Print
Total
Access
Accessory
Acting
Activist
Calendar
Cockpit
Coma
Conducive
Cosmetic
Counseling
Council
Counter
Commitment
Coupon
Cowboy
Cream
Credit

Dolar
Dobel
Dictator
Dilemma
Disinfektan
Disko
Diskon
Disket
Deterjen
Fosil
Fesyen
Feminin
Finis
Fleksibel
Glamor
Gol
Gosip
Gimnastik
Hidrogen
Insting
Instrumen
Ilegal
Imperialis
Impulsif
Intermezo
Internis
Jus
Kipper
Vila
Voli
Vakum
Overaktif
Ozon
Oxygen
Optic
Orbit
Nuklir
Narkotik
Saksofon
Seluler
Suplai
Survei

Dollar
Double
Dictator
Dilemma
Disinfectant
Disco
Discount
Diskette
Detergent
Fossil
Fashion
Feminine
Finish
Flexible
Glamour
Goal
Gossip
Gymnastic
Hydrogen
Instinct
Instrument
Illegal
Imperialist
Impulsive
Intermezzo
Internist
Juice
Keeper
Villa
Volley
Vacuum
Overactive
Ozone
Oxygen
Optic
Orbit
Nuclear
Narcotic
Saxophone
Celluler
Supply
Survey

Efisiensi
Eksis
Ekspor
Ekspos
Ekses
Ekstasi
Ekosistem
Embargo
Embrio
Enzim
Erotic
Esai
Homofon
Homograf
Homonim
Hormon
Horor
Laso
Legislatif
Liga
Lipstik
Lobi
Loker
Mal
Manajemen
Manajer
Marathon
Marjinal
Molekul
Maskot
Mekanik
Mentol
Partikel
Paspor
Foto
Roket
Royalti
Rumor
Rutin
Relatif
Reli
Rileks

Efficiency
Exist
Export
Expose
Excess
Ecstasy
Ecosystem
Embargo
Embryo
Enzyme
Erotic
Essay
Homophone
Homograph
Homonym
Hormone
Horror
Lasso
Legislative
League
Lipstick
Lobby
Locker
Mall
Management
Manager
Marathon
Marginal
Molecule
Mascot
Mechanic
Menthol
Particle
Passport
Photo
Rocket
Royalty
Rumour
Routine
Relative
Rally
Relax

Skor
Skuter
Smes
Standar
Stetoskop
Stres
Stok
Souvenir

Score
Scooter
Smash
Standard
Sthethoscope
Stress
Stock
Souvenir

Radioaktif
Satelt
Seksi
Topik
Tren
Tropi
Tumor
Tirani
Presiden

Radioactive
Satellite
Sexy
Topic
Trend
Trophy
Tumor
Tyranny
President

Sounds i change to ion

Indonesia
Fondasi
Kondisi
Inspeksi
Imajinasi
Kontradiksi
Akomodasi
Posisi
katagorisasi
Produksi
Tradisi
Imunisasi
Klasifikasi
Aplikasi
Apresiasi
Asosiasi
Asumsi
Kolusi
Konfirmasi
Konjungsi
Kontaminasi
Konvensi
Konversi
Korporasi
koperasi
Depresi
Deteksi
Dimensi
Disertasi
Edukasi

English
Foundation
Condition
Inspection
Imagination
Contradiction
Accommodation
Position
Categorization
Production
Tradition
Immunization
Classification
Application
Appreciation
Association
Assumption
Collusion
Confirmation
Conjunction
Contamination
Convention
Conversion
Corporation
Cooperation
Depression
Detection
Dimension
Dissertation
Education

Indonesia
Generalisasi
Gratifikasi
Improvisasi
Inovasi
Inflasi
Interaksi
Interpretasi
Interupsi
Intervensi
Injeksi
Invasi
Malapraktik
Masturbasi
Mediasi
Meditasi
Motivasi
Naturalisasi
Negosiasi
Obsesi
Opsi
Oposisi
Orasi
Orientasi
Ovulasi
Polusi
Prediksi
Proteksi
Rasionalisasi
Reklamasi

English
Generalization
Gratification
Improvisation
Innovation
Inflation
Interaction
Interpretation
Interruption
Intervention
Injection
Invasion
Malpractice
Masturbation
Mediation
Meditation
Motivation
Naturalization
Negotiation
Obsession
Option
Opposition
Oration
Orientation
Ovulation
Pollution
Prediction
Protection
Rationalization
Reclamation

Emansipasi
Ekspansi
Eksplorasi
Eksekusi
Ereksi
Erosi
Evakuasi
Evaluasi
Estimasi
Federasi
Fermentasi
Fiksi
Friksi
Gradasi

Emancipation
Expansion
Exploration
Execution
Erection
Erosion
Evacuation
Evaluation
Estimation
Federation
Fermentation
Fiction
Friction
Gradation

Renovasi
Restitusi
Revisi
Restorasi
Simulasi
Sugesti
Solusi
Spekulasi
Supervise
Televisi
Transplantasi
Unifikasi
Laminasi
Verifikasi

Renovation
Restitution
Revision
Restoration
Simulation
Suggestion
Solution
Speculation
Supervision
Television
Transplantation
Unification
Lamination
Verification

Slightly changing sounds

Indonesia
Tradisional
Nasional
Internasional
Tehnik
Botol
Data
Kopi
Game
Pensil
Grup
Radio
Komputer
Kontrol
Teh
Mangga
Truk
Gitar
Inggris
Industri
Kampus
Fundamental
Nomor
Prosedur
Kualitas

English
Traditional
National
International
Technical
Bottle
Data
Coffee
Gem
Pencil
Group
Radio
Computer
Control
Tea
Mango
Truck
Guitar
English
Industry
Campus
Fundamental
Number
Procedure
Quality

Indonesia
Akun
Aktor
Aktris
Akupuntur
Adekuat
Alergi
Aliansi
Apatemrn
Akuarium
Bolpen
Kalkulator
Kanker
Kapsul
Karir
Katering
Klaim
Komplain
Kondominium
Konglomerat
Container
Kontra
Komunitas
Kornea
Korset

English
Account
Actor
Actress
Acupuncture
Adequate
Allergy
Alliance
Apartment
Aquarium
Ballpoint
Calculator
Cancer
Capsule
Career
Catering
Claim
Complain
Condominium
Conglomerate
Container
Counter
Community
Cornea
Corset

10

Aktivitas
Praktek
Konsumen
Kabel
Manual
Investasi
Data
Dekade
Departemen
Detil
Diagnosa
Dikotomi
Diskursus
Dosis
Dokter
Es
Idola
Infrastruktur
Insektisida
Lanskap
Marka
Matrks
Maturitas
Metabolisme
Musik
Sains
Rasio
Rasional
Rekor
Riset
Sampel
Skeptis
Sindikat
Subjek
Sama

Activity
Practice
Consumer
Cable
Manual
Investment
Data
Decade
Department
Detail
Diagnose
Dichotomy
Discourse
Dose
Doctor
Ice
Idol
Infrastructure
Insecticide
Landscape
Mark
Matrix
Maturity
Metabolism
Music
Science
Ratio
Rational
Record
Research
Sample
Skeptic
Syndicate
Subjek
Same

Korupsi
Kosmetik
Kontra
Krusial
Katun
Ekologi
Energi
Faks
Fakta
Fokus
Fusi
Preman
Genetik
Helm
Nuansa
Oase
Oke
Orgasme
Panelis
Paradigma
Paradoks
Paramedik
Parodi
Pelikan
Fenomena
Psikolog
Prematur
Psikologi
Unik
Uniseks
Beranda
Traktor
Tabu
Taksi
Publik

Conclusion

Corrupt
Cosmetic
Counter
Crucial
Cotton
Ecology
Energy
Fax
Fact
Focus
Fusion
Freeman
Genetic
Helmet
Nuance
Oasis
Okay
Orgasm
Panelist
Paradigm
Paradox
Paramedic
Parody
Pelican
Phenomenon
Psychologist
Premature
Psycology
Unik
Unisex
Verandah
Tractor
Taboo
Taxi
Public

11

Vocabularies is a key of using language, without vocabularies it is exactly no

one could speak any language. In teaching vocabularies, teachers need to be as
creative as possible. Teaching vocabularies can be done in many ways, one of them is
teaching vocabularies through students name and similar sound. Even though this
method will only works in the newbie level, but it really helpful to memorize more
than 300 words easily. Students can easily memorize the English words by connecting
the similar English pronunciation to the Bahasa pronunciation. Second of all,
Teaching vocabularies using students name will help students to internalize the
words inside of their brain easily . It happen because memorizing would not have
difficulties when the word is already related to their life. Students already femiliar
with those words, so does it will very helpfull for students in mastering the
vocabularies in short time.

References

12

Allen, Janet. 2006. Words, Words, Words Teaching Vocabularies in Grades 4-12.
United States of America. Stenhouse Publisher.
Joan sedita. 2005. Effective Vocabulary Instruction. United Kingdom: University of
Lenmark.
Schmitt, Nobert. 2000. Vocabulary In Language Teaching. United Kingdom:
Cambridge University Press.
Sekolahbahasainggris. 330 Kata Serapan dalam Bahasa Inggris Kedalam Bahasa
Indonesia. sekolahbahasainggris.com. Sekolahbahasainggris. 19 March.
2015. Web. 03 Jun. 2016.