TEACHING VOCABULARY BY USING CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Yoni Pinuria 1) Fitrina Harmaini 2) Ernati 2)
1)
Mahasiswa Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris FKIP Bung Hatta, email:
yonipinuria@ymail.com
2)
Staf Pengajar Jurusan Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris FKIP Universitas Bung Hatta
English Department The Faculty of Teacher Training and Education
Bung Hatta University

Abstract
This paper aims to give explanation about vocabulary and crossword puzzles, and how to
teach vocabulary by using crossword puzzle especially for junior high school students.
Vocabulary is the total number of word. Crossword puzzle is a game that makes the teaching-
learning process attractive and fun. Teaching vocabulary by using crossword puzzle can make
learning process interest, make students understand the meaning and spelling of words in
English, make students have ability to communicate with other, and make students express
their ideas in English. There are two activities in teaching vocabulary. First is learner training,
the activities consist of the students pay attention to form, pay attention to the meaning, take
risks and not afraid of making mistakes, and the students know how to organize their own
learning. Second is word games that can be done in teaching vocabulary by using labeling the
words, using categories of word, and using a process of network building. To teaching
vocabulary by using crossword puzzle use three procedure consist of pre-teaching activities
the activity done before teaching process, in whilst-teaching activities the teacher instructs
and asks the students to do some activities, and post teaching activities is necessary as the
follow up phase on what the students have studied.

Keywords: Teaching vocabulary, crossword puzzle.

A. Introduction that should be mastered. One of them is

English is one of the most important
vocabulary. If students cannot master
languages in the world. By using English,
vocabulary, it is difficult for them to
people can express their ideas, and can
understand the language specially in
easily communicate with other. In addition
learning speaking. In mastering
they can master English to read English
vocabulary, it can help students in
books. Because, there are many books
listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
written in English that can add knowledge,
Because vocabulary supported this skills.
like science and technology. As a student,
In listening they can listen about the news,
if one does not understand English, surely
conversation, and the text, through
one cannot read these books. Because of
understanding the words used as well as
that, in Indonesia, English is taught from
speaking, reading and writing.
elementary school until university level.
Based on the writer’s experience while
In learning English, there are many
practice teaching in SMP Pertiwi 1 Padang,
language skills and language components

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it is found that students have lack of (1994) indicates that vocabulary is sets of
vocabulary. When the teacher asked the words which add greatly to our
students to tell something or express it opportunities to express subtle shades of
orally, they cannot use appropriate meaning at various levels of style.
vocabulary. They look confused to choose Hatch and Brown (1995) state that
appropriate words. The material given is vocabulary refers to a list or a set of words
difficult for them. The writer thinks that that individual speakers of laguage might
these are caused by various factors, one of be used. While Marksheffel (1966)
them is difficult for the students to vocabulary is usually defined as the total
memorize the words. To make it easy for number of words every body knows. So,
them to remember the words is using the Vocabulary is a basic elements of learning
word in daily communication. So the English. Nation (1981) mentions that
teacher use the appropriate ways or vocabulary is a group of words.
technique in teaching vocabulary. In other Based on the explanation above, that
word, the sudents use vocabulary games. vocabulary is the total number of words as
Game is one way to master vocabulary, individuals know and use it in their
among various kinds of game, crossword language activities, a group of words, and
puzzle game is appropriate game to master also vocabulary is set of words that have
vocabulary. meaning which is used by people to
Based on the description above, the communicate with others and it is also as a
writer is interested in writing paper entitled main part of language. Besides, vocabulary
teaching vocabulary through crossword refers to a list or a set of words that
puzzle game. The problem of this paper is individual speakers of language might be
how to teach vocabulary by using used.
crossword puzzle.
Purpose of Teaching Vocabulary
B. Review of Related Literature According to Fitri (2005) there are several
Vocabulary purposes of teaching vocabulary that
Vocabulary is the total number of students have in the school, they are:
words. According to Napa (1991) 1. The students have ability to use
vocabulary is one of the language language to communicate with other.
components. Jespersen (2007) defines that 2. To make students understand
vocabulary is words formation by means of structure, and the meaning of words in
suffixes and prefixes. Charthy and O’Dell English.

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3. To make students inform, entertain, 1. Being Aware of Words

express feelings, express their ideas in When reading a story, then students
English. get some difficult words, they must
4. To make students compare texts and know that words are difficult.
connects them to show similarities or 2. Reading
differences. After keeping such difficult words,
5. To make students use correct grammar they try to understand it. And they find
and use sentence structure that is the meaning of the word.
appropriate. 3. Using Dictionary
When people find a difficult word in a
While Pikulski and Templeton
dictionary, most of them know how to
(2004) say that there are two purposes of
use a dictionary, by using dictionary
teaching vocabulary, they are:
they get a lot of meaning about words.
1. To facilitate the comprehension of a text
4. Studying and Reviewing regularly
that students will be assigned to read.
In this step, when we learn, all the
2. To increase the number of words the
information or the meaning of the
students learn.
word that we get, not only learned
Based on the purpose of teaching
when we are studying, but all
vocabulary, the writer concludes the
information about word should be kept
purpose of teaching vocabulary for the
in one place, like in notebook. So they
students to increase the number of words
can be seen and studied again. We can
that students learn, to make students
study anywhere and anytime, so we
understand the meaning of words in
should review regularly that at least
English, to make students have ability to
once every couple of weeks.
use English to communicate with other,
According to Thornbury (2002)
and to make students express feelings and
there are several activities to build
express their ideas in English.
vocabulary and increase students
vocabulary, they are:
1. Using labeling the words. That is,
How to Build Vocabulary
mapping words on concepts. For
In order that students can have a lot of
example, dog has a name, dog or
vocabularies, they should know how to
doggie. But not all legged animals are
build it. Related to this, Fitri (2005) has
dogs, some may be cats, so the
several steps to build vocabulary as follow:
students has to learn how far to extend

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the concept of dogs, so as not to According to Thornbury (2002),

include other people’s dogs, toy dogs, there are two activities for vocabulary
and even picture of dogs. practice. They are:
2. Using categorizing skill, make a. Learner Training
category of word. For example, apple In leaner training there are five
and dog. Apple is the name of fruit, activities that can be used, they are:
and dog is name of animal. Then the 1. They pay attention to form. It means
fruit can accommodate other words they pay attention to the constituents
such as banana, orange, and mango. of word, to the spelling, and to the
So the animals can accommodate other pronunciation.
words like cat, horse, and elephant. 2. They pay attention to the meaning. It
3. Using a process of network building, means they pay attention to the
that is the words that interconnect. For meaning of word that are similar or
example, black and white, fingers and different, etc.
toes, or family and brother. 3. They are good guessers. It means they
work out the meanings of unfamiliar
Method in Teaching Vocabulary
words from their form and from
When we start to learn the second
contextual clues.
language, we must start to acquire about
4. They take risks and not afraid of
the vocabulary of the language. Teaching
making mistakes.
vocabulary is a process or way to make
5. They know how to organize their own
students learn a unit of words presented by
learning, like using dictionaries to know
teachers. As a result, the student can
the meaning of word in language
respond to the teacher’s comment and use
learning.
the vocabulary. To teach vocabulary, it can
b. Word Games
be used dictionary. Dictionary is a book in
Thornbury (2002) say that word
which we can check the meaning of words.
games can be done in teaching vocabulary
Dictionary is an important role in teaching
by using categories of word. For example
process, because without dictionary
the topic is animal. Based on that topic the
sometimes students get difficulties to get
teacher gives instruction to the students to
the meaning of words. Students should
play crossword puzzle games, such as:
know good dictionary to be used.
1. The teacher gives one paper to the
students that have a blank crossword
puzzle with questions and the teacher

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asks the students to write their name to complete the crossword puzzle in
and their class. teaching vocabulary.
2. The teacher asks the students to fill the 1. The students making inferences.
blank crossword puzzle by using the 2. Evaluating choices.
questions that are given by teacher. 3. Drawing conclusions about the answer
3. Then, to finish that task the teacher of crossword puzzle.
gives time limit. For example:
Based on all of methods for She is .................... girl.
reaching our purpose in English class, the May be the answer is arrogant, beautiful,
students have a fully understanding about loyal, ect. After the students making
English. Although teaching crossword inferences, evaluating choices and drawing
puzzles was very interesting and enjoyable conclusion the students gets the answer.
for the students to improve their The answer is she is beautiful girl, because
vocabulary, but the teacher should be able they know that some of the girls is
to teach with the interesting manner so that beautiful
the students are not boring to learn While Davis, Shepherd, and
vocabulary by using crossword puzzle. Zwiefelhofer (2009) crossword puzzles can
be effective to use this ways.
Crossword Puzzle 1. Understand the definition.
Njoroge, Ndung’u and Ganthigia 2. Understand the spelling.
(2013) defines that the crossword puzzle is 3. Memorization of words that we found
a game that makes the teaching-learning in the answer of crossword puzzle.
process attractive and fun. And also gives
Advantages of Crossword Puzzle
much opportunity for students to practice
According to Franklin, Peat, and
and repeat the sentence pattern and
Lewis (2003) there are three advantages of
vocabulary.
using crossword puzzle in learning
vocabulary.
1. To make students enjoyable to study
vocabulary.
How to Use Crossword Puzzle
2. To increase students ability in learning
To use crossword puzzle in
vocabulary.
learning vocabulary Njoroge, Ndung’u and
3. To make students understand the
Ganthigia (2013) suggests three activities
meaning of words.

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Based on the advantages of using greeting. It was used to make the

crossword puzzle in teaching vocabulary students usual in using English
the teacher interest to use crossword puzzle greeting expression.
in teaching vocabulary, because crossword • Warming up
puzzle is interesting game that we can use In this step the teacher should
in learning vocabulary. Although the apply strategies to gain the student’s
crossword puzzle is a game but it can make motivation to focus in the lesson. One
the students enjoyable and interested to of the strategies done by the teacher
study vocabulary. was by giving some clues related to
the material and the students must
Steps to Teach Vocabulary by Using guess what place the teacher meant.
Crossword Puzzle 2. Presentation Strategy
To success in teaching and learning In this step, the teacher starts to
process depends on both the teacher and give explanation about the material. The
the students. They should have a good teacher applied games method in
communication. Teacher should be a good presenting the material to the students. The
teacher to make the student interested in teacher also applied four skills (listening,
learning the materials. Thus, the learner speaking, reading, and writing) in
should give a good response to the teacher, delivering the material to them. Teaching
such as giving a good attention to the activities aim to help teacher in
explanation of the material given by delivering the material because
teacher, asking questions, and answering crossword puzzle game could attract the
the teacher’s questions. student’s attention and make them easier to
To teach vocabulary by using imagine the material.
crossword puzzle can use several steps 3. Skill Practice
from the expert. Beside that, Pravita (2010) In this part the teacher applied
suggest steps to teach vocabulary by using some vocabulary games. That vocabulary
crossword puzzle games consists of six games contained four English skills
steps. They are: (listening, speaking, reading, and
1. Motivating Strategy writing). Those games are completing
• Greeting the words and match them with the
The first step in teaching pictures, crossword puzzle, and drawing
process is greeting. In this part the a city map. Firstly the teacher explained
teacher always began the lesson by the rules of those games and after that

6
 
 

she asked the students to play the C. The Procedure of Teaching

games based on the teacher’s rule. It Vocabulary by Using Crossword
was done to make the students to be Puzzle
more active and to make them enjoy in Pre-Teaching Activity
doing the task. Pre-teaching activity is the activity
4. Assessment done before teaching process, and also the
This activity is done by the teacher activities that are applied in teaching,
to check the student’s progress in learning especially in teaching vocabulary. Pre-
the material. The teacher gave homework teaching activities have several functions.
to the students to measure their ability in They can give new information, and
understanding the material for that day. enhance students concentrations. Besides,
5. Closing that activity is useful to help them get
This is the last part of teaching started (Seltia, (2004)).
process. In this part the teacher tried to Here are the procedures in pre-
review the students about the previous teaching activities. They are:
material. It was used to check whether they a. The teacher greets the students.
were understood about what they had b. Teacher checks student’s attendance.
learned or not. c. After teacher finished checking
Based on that explanation, the students attendance. The teacher
writer has conclusion that using crossword reminds the students about previous
puzzle in teaching vocabulary are helpful subject taught in the last meeting.
in learning vocabulary. They are: Because, that activities is one way to
1. To improve students knowledge about make students remember the topic in
vocabulary by using crossword puzzle the last meeting.
game. Example :
2. To describe and to predict the meaning Teacher :Did you still remember about
of the words. our topic yesterday ?
3. Can make students easy to inference Students: Yes, miss.
the meaning of sentence and word. Teacher : About what?
4. Can make students know about the Students: About adjective miss.
spelling of words. Teacher : So, today we will study
5. Can make students have motivated to about adjective too, but
study. using crossword puzzle.

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d. The teacher introduces the new topic

to the students. b. After the teacher gives an example to
Example : the students. The Teacher gives
Ok, students, there are many assignments to the students.
kinds of game that we can play. I am Example : Fill the blank crossword
sure that you have played some of the puzzle for 10 minutes
game, and today we are going to play based on the questions!
different games, this games is in Name : class:

English, the name of game is

2

crossword puzzle.
1 3

Whilst-Teaching Activities
2
In whilst-teaching activities the
teacher instructs and asks the students to 3

do some activities. They are :

a. The teacher ask the students about the
crossword puzzle.
Across:
Example :
1. The opposite of “tall”.
Teacher : Have you ever playing
2. This adjective can be used to describe a
crossword puzzle before?
marathon, 10,000 years, or a python snake.
Students : Yes, miss.
It starts with the letter “L”.
Teacher : In English or in indonesia? 3. This adjective is a color. It can be used to
Students : In indonesia. describe the color of fire, tomatoes, or a
Teacher : Ok, today we will play stop sign.
crossword puzzle in English Down:
about adjective. Please 2. The opposite of “old”.

attention to example in the 3. This adjective can be used to describe a

basketball player, a skyscraper, or a giraffe.
white board and fill the
It starts with the letter “T”.
blank crossword puzzle by
using the question!
c. After the students finish fill that
1. Today the weather is ...........
crossword puzzle , the teacher checks
2. She is .......................... girl.
1
n
2
b e a u t i f u l
c
e
8
 
 

the students answer. Students : My sister hairs is long. And

Example : then, the color of my bag is red.
Teacher : Can you answer it? Teacher : How about the other word?
Students : Yes, miss. The opposite of tall is Students : The house in front of my
short. The adjective can be used school is old and horrible. And
to describe a marathon, 10,000 the last, my young brother can
years, or a python snake. It starts make origami.
with the letter “L” is long. The Based on the question and answer
adjective can be used to describe among teacher and students, the teacher
the color of fire, tomatoes, or a asks the students concludes the answer into
stop sign is red. The opposite of two table to make students know which is
“old” is young. The adjective adjective and which is noun, which are:
can be used to describe a ADJECTIVE NOUN
basketball player, a skyscraper, Tall Eifel Tower
or a giraffe. It starts with the Short Skirt
letter “T” is tall. Long Hair
d. After the teacher checks the answer of Red Bag
students, the teacher discusses with the Old House
students to make a sentence using the Young Origami
adjective like (tall, short, long, red, old
and young).
Post-Teaching Activities
Example :
Post teaching activities is necessary
Teacher : Can you make a sentence with
as the follow up phase on what the students
tall?
have studied. Here, there are some
Students : My father says that eifel tower
procedures in post-teaching activities.
is tall.
They are:
Teacher : Tall is adjective because
a. The teacher asks the students about the
describe something. How about
crossword puzzle.
short?
Students : Rina wears short skirt to go to
my party.
Example :
Teacher : Short is adjective, and skirt is
noun because a thing. How
about the other word.

9
 
 

Teacher : Ok, my students. Based on our 1

2
discussion what is our topic today?
3
Students: The topic is about learning
adjective by using crossword 4

puzzle game. 5

Teacher : That’s right. Now I give you one 6 7

exercise about adjective by using

crossword puzzle to make your 8

understand. 9 10

¾ Questions : Answer the crossword

puzzle based on the questions!
Down 11

1. She's ___. He's ugly. 12

2. I'm __. You're short.

5. I'm ___. You're weak.
7. I’m ___. He’s slow.
10. I’m ___. You’re sad. ¾ Key Answers :
11. He's strong. I'm ___. Down Across
Across 1. beautiful 1. big
1. I'm __. You're small. 2. tall 3. small
3. You're ___. I'm big. 5. strong 4. young
4. You’re old. I’m ____. 7. fast 5. slow
5. The turtle is ___. 10. happy 6. thin
6. I’m___. You’re fat. 11. weak. 7. fat
7. I'm __. You're thin. 8. short
8. You're ___. I'm tall. 9. light
9. It’s not heavy. It’s ___. 12. heavy.
12. This book is ____.

b. The last, teacher gives homework to

the students.

Adjective-Opposites Example :

10
 
 

“ Make a sentence based on your own The teacher gives the procedure to
word, using adjective”, such as: teaching vocabulary by using crossword
1. Beautiful puzzle using pre-teaching activity, whilst-
2. Tall teaching activity and post-teaching
3. Strong activity. In pre-teaching activity the
4. Fast
teacher enhance students concentration
5. Happy
before teaching process, in whilst-teaching
6. Weak
activity the teacher instructs and asks the
7. Big
students to do some activities, and post
8. Small
teaching activity is necessary as the follow
9. Young
10. Slow up phase on what the students have
11. Thin studied.
12. Fat
13. Short Suggestion
14. Light Based on the conclusion above, the
15. Heavy. writer would like to give three suggestion
to the teacher and to the students as
follows:
D. Conclusion And Suggestion
1. The teacher is suggested to use
Conclusions crossword puzzle in teaching
English is one of the most vocabulary because crossword puzzle
important languages in the world. By using can make students interest to study
English, people can express their ideas, vocabulary.
and can easily communicate with other. In 2. The teacher should motivate the
learning English, there are many language students that vocabulary learning is
skills and language components that should not difficult but interesting, easy, and
be mastered. One of them is vocabulary. fun.
The teacher interest to teach vocabulary by 3. The students should use the crossword
using crossword puzzle in learning puzzle game anywhere, and whenever
process. Teaching vocabulary by using but not just in the learning class.
crossword puzzle game can help the
students to increase their vocabulary and
E. Acknowledgements
tell them that vocabulary learning is not
boring but fun and interesting.

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First of all, the writer would like to and learning English, especially teaching
express her great thanks and praise to vocabulary. The writer realizes that this
Allah SWT, Who had let her finish this paper is far from perfect. So, she welcomes
paper, entitled “Teaching Vocabulary by the suggestion from the readers to improve
Using Crossword Puzzle”. Moreover, she the paper.
would like to extend shalawat and salam to
the Prophet Muhammad SAW, who has F. References
brought human from the dark world to the Carthy, M.M, & O’Dell, F. (2000). English
Vocabulary in Use, Upper-Intermediate
bright one like the present day, and who
and Advanced. England: Cambrige
has guided human being to the straightway University Press.
Davis, M.T., Shepherd, B., &
and correctness.
Zwiefelhofer, T. (2009). Reviewing for
The writer would like to express exams: Do Crossword Puzzles Help in
the Success of Student Learning?. The
her deepest gratitude and appreciation to
Journal of Effective Teaching, 9(3), 4-
her advisor, Fitrina Harmaini, S.S, M.A. 10.Retrieved from
http://uncw.edu/cte/ET/articles/Vol9_3/
and Dra. Ernati M.Pd (also as the Chief of
Davis.pdf
English Department of The Faculty of Fitri , R. (2005). Teaching Vocabulary By
Using Circle Games. Unpublished
Teacher Training and Education) that have
Paper. Padang : Bung Hatta University.
given suggestions and correction to Franklin, S., Peat, M., & Lewis, A. (2013).
Non-traditional interventions to
improve her paper. Moreover, she would
stimulate discussion: the use of games
like to say thank you very much to the and Puzzles. Journal of biological
Education, 37(2), 79-85.Retrieved from
Dean of The Faculty of Teacher Training
http://stbweb02.stb.sun.ac.za/sotl/auxin/
and Education, Dr. Marsis, M.Pd, Drs. documents/2012/Franklin_Using%20ga
mes%20and%20puzzles_2003.pdf
Yusrizal, M.Si as Vice Dean and all of the
Hartch, A. & Brown, C. (1995).
lecturers of English Department who have Vocabulary, Semantic, and Language
Education. New York : Cambridge
guided her during her study.
University.
The writer also wants to express Jespersen, O. (2007). An International
Language. New York: Routledge.
her thanks to her beloved family,
Marksheffel, N.D. (1996). Better reading
especially to her parents Pirmanto and to The Secondary School. New York:
The Ronald Press Company.
Nurhayati, her brothers and sister for her
Napa, P. A. (1991). Vocabulary
helps, prays, and supports during her study Developing of Contemporary English.
London: Longman Group, Ltd.
at this university.
Nation, Isp. (1981). Teaching and
Finally, the writer hopes that this Learning Vocabulary. New York:
Newbury House.
paper is going to be useful for everyone
Njoroge, M.C., Ndung’u, R.W., &
who is involved in the process of teaching Gathigia, M.G. (2013). The Use of

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Crossword Puzzles as a Vocabulary

Learning Strategy: A Case of English as
a Second Language in Kenyan
Secondary Schools. International
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Using Wise Words. Unpublished Paper.
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Thornbury, S. (2002). How To Teach
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