RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents the findings of the study and the discussion of findings. The

findings show students’ difficulties in vocabulary mastery, also the strategies in learning

vocabulary through online learning. Following the findings, discussion is presented to

support the interpretation on the findings and results of interview.

4.1 Findings of the Study

The findings of this research is to identify the result of research questions about the

difficulties faced by the fourth-semester students’ of English Department academic year

2021/2022 in vocabulary mastery through online learning and the strategies used in

vocabulary learning by the students in coping with the difficulties.

The data answer including the following research question 1: What are the difficulties

faced by the fourth-semester students of English Department in vocabulary mastery in online

learning? and the research question 2: What are the strategies used by the fourth-semester

students of English Department in coping with the difficulties in vocabulary learning?

4.1.1. Difficulties Faced by the Students in Vocabulary Mastery through Online

Learning

Mastering vocabulary through online learning is difficult for some students. It was

found that the students’ difficulties came from many factors that will be explained in the sub-

chapters. The students’ difficulties in vocabulary mastery through online learning can be

presented in a description below.

1. Internal Factors

Based on the interview protocol in Appendix 1, the researcher found that there are

some students who got some difficulties from internal factors, such as bad habit, lack of

vocabulary, and lack of practice.

1. Bad Habit

Online learning makes some students felt too relax and also too attach with their

phone or gadget, sometimes they felt get into their break time and some students felt

easy to get bored while learning vocabulary in online learning.

P7 and P8 had a bad habit because of their lack of preparation, got into a break

time or lazy to do assignment

Umm, the habit, because I did not just learn vocabulary but there were also

other courses that I have to do. I have a bad habit in doing an assignment, because I

usually did it little by little like that, and I often get bored and do the other task like

writing and then reading like that. So, when I need to make a paragraph, I need to

take a lot of times for that, because I need to think how to do this assignment.

(P7, IN7 Line 291-296)

Most of the times, it is longer than I read it, just because I forgot like I got too

into the break time, sometimes I forgot what I was doing and just keep scrolling. But

then I remember eventually and get back to work.

(P8, IN8 Line 190-193)

P7 and P8 felt they have a bad habit in online learning, some bad habit are

caused by many factors, there are easy to get panic, often to get bored, and have too

long in a break time. P7 felt that she often got bored when doing the assignment, she

do it little by little and it makes her forget and need time to do the assignment

because she have to think what are she want to do with that assignment. P8 felt that

she got too into her break time and it makes her lazy to continue her work because

sometimes she forgot what she doing.

2. Lack of Vocabulary
 The researcher found that lack of vocabulary is one of the difficulties in

vocabulary mastery. Students need to have a good vocabulary level if they want to

mastering vocabulary. Some students still have lack of vocabulary that made them

cannot catch the meaning very well.

P7 had a difficulty in making sentences because of the lack of vocabulary

During studying vocabulary, I felt the difficulty is come when I need to make a

paragraph. As I said before, I usually learn two vocabulary in a day, when I need to

make a paragraph, it can be really confusing. Like the word “Leaf” and “Green

leaf” I have to think for a while, about on minute maybe, just think about the use of

that words in a paragraph like that. Fortunately, when I already done with the used

of the words, I could increase my writing skill.

(P7, IN7 Line 79-85)

P7 felt that she still had a lack of vocabulary because she felt confused when

she wants to use vocabulary words, she needs more time while making a sentence

because she do not have enough vocabulary to build up a sentence.

3. Lack of Practice

Lack of practice is the one of the difficulties that students encounter in

vocabulary mastery, they rarely to practice in learning English. Those difficulties

also affect with their understanding in using and comprehend vocabulary words.

Because of the lack of practice, some students felt that some words is made them

confused because of the new words, speakers speed rate, or some vocabularies that

have different meaning.

P1, P2, P3, P4, P7, P8 are confused when they want to use and understanding

some vocabularies
 Umm, not really. Because I like to learn in it, but sometimes the word that

have different meaning, so it makes the meaning out of the context.

(P1, IN1 Line 37-39)

Quite effective, but there are some situations like when the lecturer test our

speaking skills, at that time I already learn some vocabularies. But sometimes I get

panic and the vocabularies that I learned suddenly disappear like that. So, I need

more preparation in using vocabularies in daily conversation.

(P2, IN2 Line 82-86)

I thought we know that in English vocabularies has a lot of meaning. I mean

like in some contexts, some vocabularies have a different meaning like that. Maybe

like in Educational or Health contexts like that. Also, there are some vocabularies

that have same writing but have different meaning. Those things I feel it as in L2

speaker, so it is very confusing to learn vocabulary if there is same writing but have

different meaning like that.

(P3, IN3 Line 32-38)

For me, yes, it is very difficult to use a new word that we do not know before

because if you do not know what the meaning, it will be clueless and do not know

what it means. So, we need to know what it means and then see the example, that

way there will be no difficulties encounter it and we can say or know what is the

word correctly.

(P4, IN4 Line 55-60)

If the used of the meaning is still on English words, it can be done. But, when I

need to translated it into Bahasa, that is the difficult part. Kind of confused like that.

(P7, IN7 Line 65-67)

 Umm, words that the words like how you spell the words and how you

pronounce the words. Especially, the vocal words, is like the different spelling and

pronunciation, for example embarrass, for some reason it is hard me to remember

how do like spell embarrass correctly.

(P8, IN8 Line 52-56)

Confusing because sometimes, again like the difficulty that I encounter, I do

not really know when to use it properly. I would learn a word and I try to added into

my daily dictionary, but most of the times not like used by me.

(P8, IN8 Line 82-85)

P1, P2, P3, P4, P7, P8 felt some words made them confused because

sometimes the word that have different meaning can be out of context or the words

that have same writing but have different meaning. P2 felt that she easy to get panic

because of the speaking test that lecturer given to the student, she lost of her

vocabulary when she wants to use it on a sentence because she felt panic and the

words are suddenly disappeared, so she need more preparation to avoid that

situation.

Moreover, P7 felt that she confused when she wants to use vocabulary words

properly and when she tried to explain something to her friends because she have a

lack of vocabulary, P8 also felt confused when she faced a new vocabulary and she

still does not know a proper time to use the vocabulary words properly, also the

differences between spelling and pronunciation sometimes makes her confused

while using vocabulary.

2. External Factors

Students’ difficulties in vocabulary mastery through online learning also came

from external factors. The researcher found that the external factors came from the
complex words, internet connection, online application that used for learning

activities, speaker, and lecturer themselves.

1. Complex Words (Meaning and Unfamiliar Words)

If students want to master the vocabulary, they need to be prepared because there

are a lot of complex words or meanings that they did not know before. Those

complex words and meanings could be difficult for the students because it is

something new for them. Moreover, the difficulties of student vocabulary mastery

mostly came from the unfamiliar words that students did not know before and it is

become a strange word for them.

P8 felt the difficulty when deciding a proper time in using vocabulary words

Umm... yes, for complex words, like complex meaning, for example the word

“norly”, I heard that a lot, but I do not really know when to use it.

(P8, IN8 Line 64-66)

Umm, I find it difficult to decide when it is the proper time to use the words,

proper situation stuff like that.

But sometimes, one word can mean another definition.

(P8, IN8 Line 70-73)

P8 felt the difficulties comes from a word that have a complex meaning, she

hard to decide a proper time to use those vocabularies in a sentence because the

words is new for her, it can also because of one word can mean another definition

and it makes her confused to decide a proper time to use it in a sentence.

P3, P7 found that some words are unfamiliar for them because of long

sentences and pronunciation of the words

Umm, for some words yes. I guess it is hard because there are some

unfamiliar words for me and need to be studied first in how to pronounce it, and
 yeah, I guess it is.

(P3, IN3 Line 44-46)

Umm, for spelling the vocabulary, it is difficult when I get some vocabularies

that unfamiliar and made me have to add some alphabets like that. Like the word

through and though it is different, the pronunciation is made me difficult.

(P7, IN7 Line 56-59)

P3 and P7 felt that some words are hard to pronounce and need to be studied

first, like the words that have similar pronunciation but have different meaning it

could be unfamiliar words to them. The unfamiliar words that students found in their

learning also could caused because of their lack of vocabulary, they still do not have

enough vocabulary to know a words that not commonly used in daily conversation,

they have to add more vocabulary to encounter their difficulties when found

unfamiliar words.

2. Connection

Nowadays, there are a lot of ways in mastering vocabulary, one of them is

through internet. Students who mastering vocabulary through internet, must be have

a good internet connection. If the connection is bad, it could be difficult for the

students.

P1, P2, P3, P5, P6, P7, P8 felt the difficulties while learning vocabulary comes

from internet connection

Umm... the difficulty is if there is no WIFI and I just can use my data cellular,

which is Indosat provider, it is kind of out of network when it is raining.

(P1, IN1 Line 148-150)

 For trouble… I think it was very rare to me. Depends on the environment

itself, like when I get back to my village and the learning activities are done via

online, the trouble was come from the internet connection. But it was not affected

me so much.

(P2, IN2 Line 198-201)

Umm, rarely. But I ever get a trouble from the provider when I was studying

with my friends, it affected the connection become unstable like that. But, when I go

outside like when I am at campus, I used my own data so there is no problem with

that.

(P3, IN3 Line 264-267)

Yes, I found it difficult when the lights go out, the connection in my place will

suddenly gone. Maybe from the provider itself.

(P5, IN5 Line 310-311)

Umm, usually trouble on the connection because I used “3” provider, so it is

more difficult if it is raining.

(P6, IN6 Line 242-243)

I think there was no trouble except when there is a bad weather and there was

a fire near my place and the connection suddenly gone.

(P7, IN7 Line 283-284)

Umm, for the difficulty on the internet it is again the slowness or if I cannot

find like a free WIFI, or none of my friends have data, so I cannot use hotspot from

them.

(P8, IN8 Line 267-269)

P1, P2, P3, P5, P6, P7, P8 had a difficulty on their internet connection while

they are learning vocabulary through online learning. Some students felt the internet
 connection sometimes get bad because of many factors, P1, P5, P6, and P7 felt the

difficulties comes because of the bad weather and when the light come out, the

provider that they used is not supported well in a bad weather, so the internet

connection sometimes get lost.

P2 felt the internet connection get bad because she still live in a plural area

and it makes the internet connection is not that good as in the city. Moreover, P8

also felt the internet connection can be the difficulty for her because of the slowness

connection her WIFI. The WIFI that she used is split it into a two house with her

neighbour, so it makes the internet connection is not that fast as use it in one house.

3. Application

From the interview, there are some application that used by the students, such

as Advanced English Dictionary, U-Dictionary, Vocabulary Size, Meriam-Webster,

Quillbot, Duolingo, Discord, and ABA English. However, based on the interview,

there are some problem found as stated in following data:

P2, P3, P5, P6, P7, P8 had a difficulty on the online application while learning

vocabulary through online learning

Of course, a lot. Sometimes the web got crushed and suddenly error. I ever

paraphrased long sentences and when check it with Quillbot for comparison,

suddenly the web get error and made the sentences gone.

(P2, IN2 Line 155-158)

Easy to operated it, but nowadays there are a lot of error in Discord like some

people misused the application like that. So, we need some steps to secure our

account and verified our email to get sign up in Discord.

(P3, IN3 Line 224-227)

 For the example is in Duolingo, there is a voice-feature to translate the word

based on voice or sounds like that. Sometimes, it cannot be detected when we used

our voice, like it cannot be accessed. Even, there is a time when Duolingo was

cannot be used within a week. I try to contact the customer service, but they tell me

to look the tutorial on YouTube to fix the problem.

(P5, IN5 Line 264-270)

Umm, the difficulty is so many ads in the application.

No, it cannot, so it is like a few minutes, ads appear and must be upgrade to

premium account.

(P6, IN6 Line 185-188)

There are U-Dictionary and Advanced English Dictionary, but I often used

Advanced English Dictionary because it is had a lot of features rather that U-

Dictionary. Moreover, U-Dictionary have a lot of ads that made me lazy to use it.

(P7, IN7 Line 221-224)

For the difficulty it just the ads, there is no other. Then the ads will lead us to

YouTube, Lingua Maria channel. Because, it is more complex umm…then it will

explain the pronunciation, it is based on American culture like that.

(P7, IN7 Line 232-235)

Probably just the long loading, because sometimes the application would like

update itself, and I have to wait for a few minutes, that is all.

(P8, IN8 Line 224-226)

Some applications could support students in mastering vocabulary. There are

many kinds of applications that usually used by the students. The researcher found

that some applications could be one of the difficulties in student while learning

vocabulary through online learning.

 P2, P3, P5, P6, P7, P8 felt that online application sometimes could be an

obstacle for them because an error, long loading, or the web get crushed. Online

application might help the students in learning vocabulary, but there are still a lot of

difficulties that students faced while using an online application through online

learning. The difficulties are come from the application itself, like the application

suddenly error or crushed because the application still unstable yet, or sometimes the

application had a lot of ads and it makes a distraction on the learning process.

4. Speaker

The difficulties might come from the speaker themselves, whether it is their

pronunciation, speaker speed rate, or different accent between the student and the

speaker while they want to use vocabulary in daily conversation.

P2 and P4 felt the speaker is one of their difficulties while learning vocabulary

Umm, for me it is so so, like the difficulty might come from the long sentences

that made me sometimes did not really understand the meaning. Especially when the

speaker used British accent, it could be more difficult for me and made me have to

write the vocabularies that used by the speakers.

(P2, IN2 Line 39-43)

Yes, sometimes the most difficult things, how you say it and how you spell it,

because from listening and speaking, is very difficult to try what people say it if you

do not know the word. Sometimes I have to see the word written in the book and

then I have to say it correctly, because if I say it wrong, I could pronounce it and

misdirection and misleading to them what is the meaning.

(P4, IN4 Line 183-188)

I have to say like sometimes the speaker does not speak well at students like

me, sometimes that is my difficulties when learning English through device, because
 sometimes the learners does not speak well through the phone, so the voice kind a

distorted and is very difficult to listen.

(P4, IN4 Line 238-243)

P2 felt the vocabulary words that are difficult to understand is come from the

different accent from the speaker, she hard to understand the meaning of long

sentences, especially when the speaker used British accent. P4 and felt the

difficulties that they encounter when learning vocabulary words is because the

speaker pronunciation and the speaker does not speak well.

5. Lecturer

Sometimes the lecturer can be the one of the difficulties that student encounter

when they are learning vocabulary, whether it is from the lecturer themselves or the

material that be given to the student.

P8 felt the difficulties come from the lecturer that had low exposure in

vocabulary

Maybe, the difficulty came from the lecturer is that lack of exposure of the

new vocabularies, because they would just usually used regular everyday words,

rather than complex new words.

(P8, IN8 Line 285-288)

P8 felt the difficulties that they encounter when learning vocabulary words is

because the lecturer is had a lack of exposure of the new vocabularies, and it made

her cannot obtain more new vocabulary while learning vocabulary.

4.1.2. Strategies Used by the Students in coping with the Difficulties in Vocabulary

Mastery through Online Learning

The students’ strategies must be comprehended in coping with their difficulties in online

learning. In this research, there are some strategies found that used by students in mastering
vocabulary through online learning. The students also did some several ways to overcome

those difficulties.

In summary, the researcher presents the data of the students’ difficulties in coping with

their difficulties in mastering vocabulary through online learning in fourth semester in

description below.

1. Increase Motivation

Learning vocabulary through online learning makes students had to do their

own motivation to increase the level of vocabulary. Some students learn vocabulary

from their mistake, so they can get the process on their study while learning

vocabulary.

P2 and P3 learning vocabulary from the process on exercise

Umm, I am strongly agreed. Because, we have to prepared before study,

especially in English that not our first language. So, we need to be motivated and

exploring some vocabularies so that we could communicate very properly.

(P2, IN2 Line 33-36)

Actually, it depends on my mood I guess, but sometimes at the class when the

lecturer gave us an exercise and I answered it wrong, it was motivated me more.

Then I feel like I need to learn vocabulary more and more. It made me realized that I

still lack of vocabularies and I need to study vocabulary really hard.

(P2, IN2 Line 58-62)

Umm, for me, if I already know about the meaning of new vocabulary, it

means that the process that I have done before is really helpful in learning English.

Even though, I need to increase my vocabulary skill and still have a lot of
 weaknesses but, from there I learn some techniques that could increase my

motivation in learning English.

(P3, IN3 Line 130-135)

P2 and P3 stated that they have to be motivated and explore the language first before

learning English vocabulary. In that way, the student could communicate very

properly. P2 stated if she had an exercise and answered it wrong, it was motivated

her more. She needs to learn vocabulary more and more. It made her realized that

she still had a lack of vocabulary and need to study vocabulary really hard.

2. Take a Break

Taking a break from studying does not mean that students cannot keep

learning English. They need short break to refresh their mind and go back to study

after a breaktime and they will feel more enjoy with their study and not feel

underpressured.

P3 and P5 need take a break to refresh their memories

I will stop and then I do the activity that make me relax like I used to listen to

music and then I also draw something because I also like to draw, it could made me

more relax like that.

(P3, IN3 Line 180-182)

Oh, usually when I get bored, I sing a song. When I feel it is too bored to

learn with the way that I used, I learn by listen to a music. So, while study for

listening, I could relax myself in learning vocabulary.

(P5, IN5 Line 209-212)

P3 and P5 stated that they need to take a break while learning English vocabulary,

P3 used to listen to music and draw something to make her more relax and go back
 to study. Moreover, P5 likes to sing a song and also could learn English vocabulary

by listen to a music.

3. Used some Application

Online learning had encourage student to used some online application to help

them in learning vocabulary more easier and efficient. This strategies could gain

more vocabulary and increase their level of vocabulary.

P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 used some Application to help them in learning

vocabulary through online learning

Umm... I think it is really help me, because sometimes it is kind of less

complete if I use physical dictionary, so I used Google Translate and it is really help

me a lot for searching the slang words or the unfamiliar words.

(P1, IN1 Line 133-136)

Quillbot, when I need to build up some sentences, I used to check the

grammar on Quillbot then I fixed it using synonym on Quillbot. Then, I compare the

results with my works, so that I could get some new vocabularies in it. So, that

Quillbot help me much in learning vocabulary.

(P2, IN2 Line 144-148)

P2 stated that she also learn English vocabulary while learning grammar. P2 stated

she usually used Quillbot synonym to fixing her sentences in grammatical error

using, then she would compare with her works and from that she could got some

new vocabularies and learn in it.

Nope. Yes, I used Google because it is already common for learning English.

But I rarely used the applications that commonly used for learning, I used Discord
for communicating with native speakers and then I learn some vocabularies in it

because I directly take a note like that.

(P3, IN3 Line 203-207)

For me, studying English, I do not use the app like, usually I watch videos that

have English to Indonesia subtitles, that way I can understand what they saying and

sometimes I found a new vocabulary, but If I need to study English and

vocabularies, I usually used Duolingo to study, because that app is help you to study

the translating in English to Indonesian, and Indonesian to English.

(P4, IN4 Line 174-179)

Ah, Duolingo. I used Duolingo and ABA English.

Yes, I learn English vocabulary with those applications and I used to know

some vocabularies manually like that.

(P5, IN5 Line 243-246)

Umm, I prefer to use U-Dictionary.

Yes, really help me to learn vocabulary, because there is available the

classification of the words like verb, adjective, or adverb.

(P6, IN6 Line 175-178)

Umm, I used Advanced English Dictionary to learn vocabulary, because it

can be used via online and offline. Also, there is an audio recorder like that to

search the meaning and also have a synonym feature. But I do not know…since it

had a lot of ads…

So, I often learn in with Instagram in an account that teach English like that

rather than the dictionary.

From that, there are Aarons English, Kampung English, and in TikTok there

are Lingua Marina, Vocabulary Size and many more.

 (P7, IN7 Line 208-217)

P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7 stated that some online application could really help them

in learning English vocabulary, such as using application that contain meaning,

categories, vocabulary, or social media that contain English vocabulary and

pronunciation. P2 stated that Quillbot is really help her when she wants to arranging

the words, they often got some new vocabularies while fixing the error in her

sentences. In line with P2, P5 also learn vocabularies through application and she

used to know some new vocabularies through application named Duolingo.

Moreover, P7 stated that social media also help her to learn English vocabulary, by

watching videos from any sources, like Instagram, YouTube and many more, she

could know about any slang word, new vocabulary words, and pronunciation in the

different accent.

4. Watching Movie or English Videos

Learning vocabulary can be done with listening English videos or watching

movie that contains vocabulary words. It makes students can add more vocabulary to

their daily conversation because of the words that they learn through audio learning.

English videos is one of the great learning method for some students who has

a learning style with audiovisual learner, they like to listen on the audio in English

words and add the words to their own vocabulary.

P4 and P5 listen to the audio of English words and learn the pronunciation

My personal style when learning vocabulary usually like watching from

conclusion, when listening the word, so if I want to learn the new vocabularies, I

watch the listening to anything like radio, television, videos, and then listen to what

it means like translation from English to Indonesia or Indonesia to English, so that

is why I can learn very quickly and get used to what it means.
 (P4, IN4 Line 25-30)

Okay, umm I think, I can learn English by study on vocabularies, and then

listening English words, and then I think for the statement...

(P5, IN5 Line 53-54)

P4 and P5 stated that student could learn English by listening English words. P4

stated that he like to listen and watch anything in English like radio, television,

videos and learn from their pronunciation and meaning. It also really helps him in

learning English very quickly.

P2, P3, P6, P8 watch movie or English videos to increase their vocabulary

I usually watched movies using English subtitles, so I could read the words

and find some new vocabularies. Then, I search it on dictionary what does the

meaning of that words.

(P2, IN2 Line 96-98)

It depends, if there is someone to talk to, I can get interact with them.

Sometimes I used to talk by myself and look up the meaning of the vocabulary and

watch some videos or films like that.

(P2, IN2 Line 137-139)

Honestly, I never learn English with my friend, I mean, oh... I forget, so I

guess it is effective to learn together with my friends because when I reviewing some

YouTube videos in English, we also write down the new vocabulary that we get from

the video, then from those the activity I can acquire a lot of new vocabulary and use

it in use it correctly than study by my own or by myself.

(P3, IN3 Line 172-177)

 Umm, mostly I learn vocabulary through informer learning, through the

movies that I watch and songs that I listen to, and if I come across words that I do

not know the meaning of, I would just simply google it and find the definition.

(P8, IN8 Line 18-21)

P2, P3, P6, P8 stated that they like to watching movies to increase their vocabulary

by learning some pronunciation and new words through the movies that they watch.

As stated by P2, she watched movies using English subtitles, so she could read the

words and find some new vocabularies. In line with P2, P8 stated she often learn

vocabulary through informer learning, like movies and songs. Moreover, P3 stated

that she can acquire a lot of new vocabulary and use it and use it correctly than study

by her own.

5. Reading and Highlighting

Reading vocabulary words might be useful for some students in learning

vocabulary, they often get a new word from their reading and the new words will get

remember by highlighting some new words. Highlight the word is similar with

making sign in some words, it can be giving an underline or colouring with

highlighter in the text book. Some students will highlight a word when they found a

word that they do not know before or the important words.

P1 and P8 read and highlight a new words or important words for studying

vocabulary further

Oh, it is depend on my mood on reading, if I have a good mood on reading, I

usually skipped the words that I did not know about the meaning and continue to

read the whole sentences first, after that I underlined new vocabulary words and

searching for its meaning.

(P1, IN1 Line 90-93)

 Umm, usually I learn vocabulary through watching movies, tv series, even

sometimes like when I am reading an article of a celebrity that I like, or just casual

stuff like that.

(P8, IN8 Line 24-26)

P1 and P8 stated that they also like to read whenever they have enough time. By

reading, they also can learn more vocabulary and add new vocabularies to their daily

conversation. This strategy could help them in remembering a new word and to be

studied further. P8 stated that she sometimes read an article to learn vocabulary or

doing some casual stuff like watching movie or tv series.

6. Reviewing and Memorized Vocabulary

For remembering a material that students have learned in a previous studies,

they need to do a review a material after the learning process. This method can be

done by writing in a note or studying new sentences.

P2, P3, and P4 do some review for remembering a previous lesson

Umm, sometimes reviewing and sometimes directly practiced like say

something after the speakers’ giving instruction like that. Sometimes, if I lost the

meaning, I used to search it up again on Google or ask my friends like that.

(P2, IN2 Line 132-135)

Yes, I review all the vocabulary that I get from previous activities, so for

example, I read some news and then I read it based on its vocabulary context, so I

could test myself like umm...

Yes, about my vocabulary size like that.

(P3, IN3 Line 185-189)

Sometimes, I do review the vocabulary that I learned in previous chapter,

sometimes I found it in the future, like there is a new word that stuck in my head
because I remember it before, sometimes like learning in vocabulary is very

difficult, but when you found it again in the future, you will remember it and know

what is meaning.

Hmm how often, is very rare for me because these days I do not find any new

vocabulary, but if I do, I would review it and search the meaning and hopefully I

know how to say it and how do I put in sentence.

(P4, IN4 Line 162-171)

P2, P3, and P4 stated that they like to review a lesson from the previous study to

help them in remembering a vocabulary words that they had learned. As stated by

P2, she likes to review all the vocabulary that she got from previous activities, she

read some news and then read it based on its vocabulary context, so she could test

herself to know about how far she could understand on her vocabulary size.

Students need to memorize their vocabulary in case to keep their learning and

memorized somee words that they have learned. There are many ways to memorized

vocabulary, such as repeating a word, write in a note, or studying sentences.

P1, P5, and P7 memorized some vocabulary by repeating or write in a note

I memorized some new vocabulary words and then I wrote it down like that and

umm... I think just like that.

(P1, IN1 Line 72-73)

Ah, I see. In learning vocabulary, I think it is very important if we want to

learn English. So, with that method which the way I memorized some words every

day, I routinely do it along this fourth semester.

(P5, IN5 Line 157-160)

From that, I could see the progress. Like, if I watched some videos or movies,

I usually turn off the subtitle and does not even used dictionary to search the
 meaning. Before that, I usually used Google Translate to search the meaning. On

the fourth semester, I did memorize the words every day, it makes me does not even

used Google Translate again. Because I already got a lot of words in my head.

(P5, IN5 Line 162-168)

Umm, if I think it is a new vocabulary, I usually write it and try to memorize

the word. Because usually the deadline of the assignment itself it was just two days

like that and then there will be the next assignment. So, I need to write down every

single word that I have not known before using notes on my smartphone.

(P7, IN7 Line 166-170)

P1, P5, and P7 stated that they also write on notebook to memorized some

vocabulary words as strategy in learning English vocabulary. P5 stated that she

usually memorized some words every day and routinely do it along this fourth

semester, the progress that she got is she rarely to open dictionary when watching

movies or listen to a song because the vocabulary that she had learned is already in

her head.

7. Learning from Assignment

Some students prefer to study on their assginment from the lecturer because it

can also increase their knowledge and more focus in doing exercise given by the

lecturer. The assignment can be a learning material to the students who are like to

learning from the material in class.

P6 and P7 do learn vocabulary by some assignment from lecturer

Oh... maybe no, I prefer to studying vocabulary from assignment or some

learning materials, and from the movies.

(P6, IN6 Line 125-126)

 Yes, like what I said before I learn two vocabulary in a day, and for the rest is

the assignment that given by the lecturer. I usually did that with my friends, depends

on my mood haha.

(P7, IN7 Line 136-138)

P6 and P7 stated that they like to learn vocabulary from the material in the

assignment that given by lecturer. P7 stated that she learned vocabulary by the

assignment from the lecturer and also learning English together with her friends.

8. Practice (Vocabulary Drill and Take a Note)

The strategies of practice students’ vocabulary are very helpful for some students

who practice their vocabulary through communication with other peoples to gain some

vocabulary from others.

P7, P2, and P5 makes their own practice for strategies in learning vocabulary

From all interviews, the data showed that some students have a practice as their

strategies to learn vocabulary through online learning. It can be shown from their

statement:

We often exercised daily conversation based on social media and then we will

catch the vocabulary and looking for its meaning. This technique usually can be

done based on our mood like that hehe.

(P7, IN7 Line 13-15)

Umm, like I said before I used to watch movies and practice it in daily

conversation and find some meanings that I did not understand yet, like that.

(P2, IN2 Line 70-72)

There are many ways to practice English vocabulary, some students do a practice in

learning vocabulary by exercise in daily conversation through social media and

watching movies, and practice with vocabulary through learn a new word every day.
1. Vocabulary Drill

Students can develop new words and their meanings by doing vocabulary drills to

improve their language skills and learn how to approach new words. The context of

vocabulary study is offered through narrative and explanatory texts.

P5 and P7 do some exercise to drill their level of vocabulary

Okay, I think I consider myself as an effective learner for vocabularies

because usually I learn vocabularies everyday with ten new vocabularies, and then I

look for ten vocabularies every day, and that is I write to remember before I sleep at

night.

(P5, IN5 Line 23-26)

Okay, from my experience I need to learn vocabulary because it is important

for me, both in college or just to increase my English skill. I used to use two

vocabularies in a day and for the night I used drill vocabularies with make some

sentences or even I make it into paragraph like that.

(P7, IN7 Line 3-7)

P5 and P7 like to learn English vocabulary through vocabulary drill by exercise with

new vocabularies every day and remembered it at night. P5 stated that she usually

learned vocabularies every day with ten vocabularies, and she practice with writing

the new words and remember it before she sleeps at night. In line with P5, P7 stated

that she learned two new vocabularies every day and used to do vocabulary drill at

night like making a sentence.

2. Take a Notes

One of the effective ways in learning vocabulary is writing a note. The researcher

found some students used to write some notes when they got some new

vocabularies.
 P1, P3, P4, and P5 take a note when they got some new vocabularies

Okay, umm... so I think the most effective way is write down on the words that

we have learned and like you said before it can also by using flashcards and looking

for association between English word.

(P1, IN1 Line 59-61)

Yes, of course I learn vocabulary by write the new words that I get from any

sources, so I can read it anytime when I forget about them.

(P3, IN3 Line 100-101)

For me, I try to remember when I got new vocabulary words and then write it

down with the translated and meaning, and then I would try to use it when I say it

that vocabulary.

(P4, IN4 Line 132-134)

Umm, sometimes I learn vocabulary by using flashcards, sometimes by writing

the word, then sometimes I used to connect from one vocabulary to others in one

sentence like that.

(P5, IN5 Line 144-146)

Write a note would be useful for students who likes to remember the word by write

it in notebook or phone notes. As stated by P1, she thinks that the most effective way

is write down on the words that she had learned. Moreover, P3 also write the new

words that she got from any sources, so she can read it anytime when she forgot

about the vocabularies.

9. Studying Sentences that Contain Vocabulary Words

Studying sentences that contain vocabulary words might be beneficial for

some students who likes to study from one word to another word that are similiar.

This method could increase their level of vocabulary because they study vocabulary
 from sentences that they read or write and it makes the vocabulary words is easy to

remember.

P3 and P8 learning vocabulary through studying sentences that contain the

vocabulary words

Umm, based on my experience in learning vocabulary, it will be easier for me

to memorized it when I already know how to used it in a sentence. If there is a small

mistake, then I make it become some sentence examples. So, it could be easier for

me because the vocabularies are related each other.

(P3, IN3 Line 90-94)

I would say studying sentences that contain the vocabulary words, and

looking for associations between the new words and the other words I already

know.

(P8, IN8 Line 92-94)

If I come across a word that I do not know in vocabulary, I would google it

and find the definition, and then I would read the example of the sentences that the

words can be used in. That is usually what I do.

(P8, IN8 Line 97-100)

P3 and P8 stated that they learn English vocabulary through the sentences that

contain vocabulary words. For example, P3 stated it would be easier for her to

memorized a word when she already knows how to used it in a sentence. If there is a

small mistake, she will make it become some sentence examples. So, it could be

easier because the vocabularies are related each other. In line with P3, P8 stated if

she found a word that she did not know before, she would search for the meaning

and read the example of the sentences that the words can be used in.

10. Combining/Connecting Words

 Combining or making a connection between words is the effective method in

learning vocabulary, because the vocabulary that students used is link to each other

and it makes them memorized a large of vocabulary.

P3 and P8 make a connection between the word with similar definition

So, yeah to increase my vocabulary, I used to make some words like the word

“festival” in English there are verb, adjective or noun like that and I used to search

the word if its verb or adjective and so on. Then from that, if there are some word, I

will already know whether it is a verb or noun or adjective like that.

(P3, IN8 Line 59-63)

So, if I found the word and I look up the definition of it, I would just link it to

another word with the same definition or something that is close.

(P8, IN8 Line 111-113)

P3 and P8 stated she likes to learn English vocabulary by combing or connecting a

word that related each other. If she found the word and look up for the definition,

she would link it to another word with the same or similar definition with that word.

To summarize the findings on this research, the data showed in the table as follows:

Table 4.1
Code Group and Description

Difficulties Strategies
Internal Factors - Bad Habit - Increase Motivation

- Lack of Vocabulary - Take a Break

- Lack of Practice - Use Application

 - Complex Word - Watching Movie/English Video

(Meaning and - Reading and Highlight New

Unfamiliar Word) Vocabulary Words.

- Connection - Reviewing and Memorized

- Application Vocabulary

External Factors - Speaker - Learning from Assignment

- Lecturer - Practice (Vocabulary Drill, Take a

note)

- Studying Sentences

- Combining/Connecting Words

4.2 Discussion
The findings that are mentioned above are taken from data interview. This research is

aims to answer the research questions about the difficulties faced by the fourth-semester

students of the English Department academic year 2021/2022 in vocabulary mastery through

online learning and the strategies used by students while learning vocabulary through online

learning. The interview is used as the instrument to collect the data of this research.

From the results of the interview above, it can be seen that students’ difficulties in

vocabulary mastery through online learning were come from many factors. Based on the

internal and external factors that are mentioned in Chapter II, the data showed that the

internal factor is the factor that comes from inside the students. On the other hand, the

external factor are came from outside of the students, such as the speaker, stimulus, and

context. The difficulties that come from the internal factors are bad habit, lack of vocabulary,

and lack of practice. In external factors, the difficulties are come from the complex word and
meaning, internet connection, online application for learning vocabulary, the speaker and

lecturer themselves.

Some students had difficulties because of their level of vocabulary, if there are

unfamiliar words that used by the speakers, they will not understand about the meaning

correctly and fail to understand the necessity of “Multiple Meaning Words” in

communication. There are multiple meanings for a single word. Depending on the context, a

single word might have a variety of meanings. In this case, the most of students were

unaware of this and believed that it had a single and similar meanings among all contexts,

Harmer (2010). The difficulty for English language students in understanding the meanings

of multiple words is another point made by Lin (2014). They lose words in context and other

possible meanings. Lecturer should provide clear instructions and raise students’ awareness

to make it easier for them to understand terms with multiple meanings.

The students in English Department also feel confused because of the speaker speed

rate, its accent in terms of different spelling and pronunciation. In line with Rohmatillah

(2015), the incorrect pronunciation is often caused by the lack of sound similarity between

English and the students native' language.

The researcher also found that the internet connection could also distracted when they

are learning vocabulary through online learning because of bad weather, lights out, slow

connection, and the provider itself. Moreover, students could also get panic when the task had

a time because the timer could distract their concentration in doing the task and cannot think

very clear.

Students’ difficulties in vocabulary mastery such as pronunciation, spelling, and

meaning are in line with (Thornbury, 2002) found that there are 6 difficulties in vocabulary

mastery, namely: pronunciation, spelling, length and complexity, grammar, meaning, range

(connotation and idiomaticity). Those difficulties are influenced because they had lack of
vocabulary that made them usually found unfamiliar words that hard to pronounce, and

confused in used the meaning of the word correctly because some words have same writing

but have different meaning.

Moreover, English students’ “bad study habit” of not disregarding time for their studies

may have an impact on their academic achievement. Previous studies have supported the

connection between study habits and academic achievement. According to Ebele and Olofu

(2017), good study habits are a requirement for vocabulary learning because they are closely

related to students’ academic achievement.

On the other hand, students have their own strategies in coping with the difficulties they

faced, such as studying sentences that contain vocabulary words, drill vocabulary, take a

note, and combining/connecting words. In line as stated by (Bai, 2018; O’Malley and

Chamot, 1986) as they conducted in-depth studies that offer a better understanding of

learning processes. Based on findings from cognitive psychology, they have examined

learning processes and treated them as cognitive skills. Repetition, resourcing, directed

physical response, translating, combining, taking notes, learning combination, imagery, audio

modeling, important phrase, translation, and guessing are examples of cognitive methods.

Some students coping with their difficulties by using their own strategies, for example

learning assignment that given by lecturer, link the word with some definition, and made a

classification of the words.

Online learning needs some devices as an intermediary for learning and it could be

laptop or smartphone. Some students used laptop and smartphone that does not support very

well and made them cannot joined the class because of that. Also, the used of online

applications for learning vocabulary in fourth semester was not that good. Some errors of the

applications made the learning activities could be very difficult for students because they

need to repeat or refresh the tasks that given through the application. Some students still live
in the plural area that does not really support the internet connection. Moreover, when the bad

weather and the lights out come, it could make the connection disappear.

Based on the description above, the data showed that this study is correlated each other.

Whether the students’ difficulties in vocabulary mastery and students’ strategies in learning

vocabulary, they both have some things related to each other. Some students have some

difficulties from many aspects, such as the lack of vocabulary and different pronunciation

that comes from the speakers, or because they are too relaxed and distracted by gadget that

they used while in online learning. It becomes a new challenge for them and have to

overcome the difficulties with their own strategies, so the researcher found some strategies

like practice with friends, listen to English videos, or drill vocabulary and it hopes those

strategies could increase their understanding in vocabulary mastery through online learning.

Students difficulties in vocabulary mastery through online learning are found in this

research. The error on the online application that students used when learning vocabulary is

the most aspect that made is difficult for students because some students stated there are

many error on the application and web crushed while learning vocabulary through online

learning. Also the level of students vocabulary is still low because some students had lack of

vocabulary, and those strategies have to improve by sufficent strategies.

The strategies owned by students is the best way based on their personal learning style.

Students strategies in coping with their difficulties in vocabulary mastery through online

learning are also found in this research. Those strategies that commonly used by students are

practice with friends, watching movie or english videos, drill vocabulary, reading and

highlighting new vocabulary words, used some online application, memorized or

remembering vocabulary, and studying sentences that contain vocabulary words.

 CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

In this chapter, the researcher presents the conclusion and suggestions. The conclusion

was delivered based upon the results of the study and the discussion of findings which are

shows in chapter IV. The researcher also made some suggestions for the students, English

speaker, parents, and for further study.

5.1 Conclusion
Based on the findings and discussion that are explained in chapter IV, the researcher

comes to the conclusion related to the research questions, those are 1) What are the

difficulties faced by the fourth-semester students of English Department in vocabulary

mastery in online learning, and the research question 2) What are the strategies used by the

fourth-semester students of English Department in coping with the difficulties in vocabulary

learning.

The researcher found that students in fourth semester of English Department at

Mulawarman University had their own difficulties in vocabuary mastery on the third semester

in internal and external factors. The difficulties in internal factors come from the students

itself such as their level at vocabulary the speakers’ speed rate and its accent, the students that

have some bad habits in opening social media or listen to a music while in online class and

also the students that get panic could distracted their concentration. Moreover, the lack of

vocabulary from students and the speaker could also be the difficulties in vocabulary mastery

through online. For the external factors, the main difficulties come from the unstable internet

connection caused by bad weather, the lights that suddenly turn off and the internet provider.

Also, some students felt the devices that they used is not supported well in learning

vocabulary. Sometimes, students also had a difficulties in speaker itself because of lack of

exposure, different accent, and speaker’s pronunciation. Moreover, there are some errors in
their devices and the application that used to learn vocabulary. It made them need to repeat

their task or even make them cannot joined the class.

The student had strategies in coping with their difficulties in vocabulary mastery

through online learning. The most effective way for the students in learning vocabulary that

found in this research was used some online application. Although there was a difficulty in

using application, but the application also helps students in learning vocabulary. Moreover,

student likes to practice with friends to gain more vocabulary, such as communicate with

friends and have a daily conversation. Some students also write a note when they got new

vocabulary and do vocabulary drill to increase their level of vocabulary. Other strategies are

used by student in coping with the difficulties in vocabulary mastery are watching movie or

English videos, reading and highlighting, do some relaxation, reviewing on previous study,

memorized the vocabulary, learning grammar and assignment, and studying sentences that

contain vocabulary words.

From the description above, the researcher concluded that all the students’ participants

had their own difficulties in vocabulary mastery through online learning on the fourth

semester. As well as student also had own strategies in coping with their difficulties in

learning vocabulary through online learning on the fourth semester. Finally, the researcher

concludes that internal and external factors are greatly influence the students’ difficulties in

vocabulary mastery and some strategies in coping with those difficulties could come for the

students in learning vocabulary through online learning on the fourth semester.

5.2 Suggestions
Hopefully, this study will raise awareness for students, speakers, and lecturer,

highlight the importance of learning the vocabulary, and motivate the students to overcome

their difficulties by following the proposed strategies. This study also recommends that

English Department Students in Mulawarman University and the lecturer should work
together and find all possible means that can facilitate the students to enrich their vocabulary

knowledge.

From the conclusion above, there are some suggestions which are noted as follows:

1. The students need to have a good vocabulary skill, because in any aspects of learning

English, they need to understand a large of vocabulary. If they had a poor vocabulary

level, they will cannot learn English very well.

2. The students should get rid of bad habits such as opening social media while learning,

because learning vocabulary need to do step by step, and those bad habits also made

students forget to finish the assignments that given.

3. The lecturer should also explore more vocabulary to acquire new vocabulary words and

increase exposure to employing new words to effectively communicate with the students.

4. The speaker needs to have a good speaking skill and large of vocabulary because the

listener or student cannot understand well if the speaker does not speak well in convey

English vocabulary.

5. The researcher believes that this study still has some weaknesses. Thus, the researcher

would like to suggest further researchers who are interested with this topic to conduct a

better study such do some observations in the classroom to see the students’ difficulties

in vocabulary mastery and their strategies in coping with those difficulties.