Enhancing 9th Grade Vocabulary With Fun Crossword Puzzle At UPT SMPN 7 Satap Maiwa

Yusran; Buhari; Sam Hermansyah; Nur Hikmah

Authors

Yusran Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidenreng Rappang
Buhari Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidenreng Rappang
Sam Hermansyah Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidenreng Rappang
Nur Hikmah Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidenreng Rappang

Keywords:

Enhancing,Vocabulary, Crossword Puzzle, SMPN 7 satap maiwa

Abstract

This study aims to enhance the vocabulary mastery of 9th-grade students at SMP 7 Satap Maiwa through the use of fun crossword puzzles as a learning medium. The main problem faced by the students was the limited English vocabulary, which hinders their reading, writing, and speaking skills.

The research employed Classroom Action Research (CAR) with two cycles, consisting of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection stages. The participants were 9th-grade students of SMP 7 Satap Maiwa in the 2024/2025 academic year. Data were collected through vocabulary tests, observations, and interviews.

The findings revealed that the consistent application of crossword puzzles significantly improved students’ vocabulary mastery, as indicated by the increase in average vocabulary test scores in each cycle and the rise of students’ learning motivation. Therefore, crossword puzzles are proven to be an effective and creative learning strategy for enhancing students’ English vocabulary.

The average scores of the learners' tests (pre- test and post-test) provide support for this. The Sample use 15 students experiment class and 15 students control group. Compared to the pre-test and post-test of experiment class score was 68,66, the post-test mean score was greater was 86,33, also for pre-test and pot-test of control class was 57,66 and 82,66. The paired sample T-test revealed paired differences to know the identical variances based on the SPSS version 30 results. It was evident from Table 4.7 that the significance level was 0.001. It shows that 0.001 < 0.05. Since there was less than a 0.05 level of significance, the H0 was rejected and the H1 was accepted.

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