Using Picture Series as Media in Teaching Vocabulary
Using Picture Series as Media in Teaching Vocabulary
Language learning can be both a creative and engaging experience when educators utilize diverse resources to facilitate understanding. One such resource is picture series, a visual-based tool that can enhance vocabulary learning. According to Hartati Dwi (2005), picture series are sequences of images or illustrations that convey a story, process, or concept. They can be used in language classrooms to teach vocabulary in context; it also improves retention, and promotes deeper engagement.
Picture series have some advantages when teaching vocabulary to students in the classroom (Ning in 2019). First, the series uses many pictures that can make students in the class more interested and not feel bored. This is because the picture series provides illustrations that help students easily follow and understand the story or topic.
Second, through the picture series media, teachers can train students to try to read or write a storyline in pictures. Here, students will be aided to learn some vocabulary through the illustrations in the picture series. Then, students can remember the word that they write or read and then they also can improve their vocabulary and spelling skills.
Using picture series as a medium to teach vocabulary is a great method because it combines visual learning with contextual understanding. Picture series can help students see words in action, improving both their comprehension and retention. Here are some steps how the teacher can effectively use picture series to teach vocabulary:
The teacher needs to introduce the Picture series and Vocabulary for students. Show the students the picture series without giving them the vocabulary first. This allows them to predict and think about what’s happening in the pictures.
Ask the students questions like, “What do you see here?” or “What’s happening in this picture?” to activate their background knowledge.
Then, introduce the vocabulary words based on each picture. Teachers can use simple definitions of even related objects to explain new words and then introduce the vocabulary word examples "run," "jump," "eat," "train," "rain".
After showing the picture series, the teacher can ask students to describe each picture using the target vocabulary. For example, if the picture shows someone running, students should use the word “run” and describe the action. For example, “The boy is running to the park.” After they have described the pictures, help them put the vocabulary into full sentences. Start by modeling a sentence structure for them, then have students create their own sentences.
By using picture series, students will not only grow their vocabulary, they will also learn to use the words to form a story. Students will be more interested while also enjoying learning. As we know, when students enjoy learning, students will easily understand or absorb the lessons more quickly.
References:
Hartati Dwi (2005) USING PICTURE IN TEACHING VOCABULARY [Preprint] https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/bitstream/123456789/12829/1/DWI%20HARTATI-FITK.pdf
Ning, A.I. (2019) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING PICTURES TO INCREASE STUDENTS VOCABULARY (A Case Study at SMPN1 Makassar) [Preprint]. https://repository.unhas.ac.id/id/eprint/28418/1/ANDI%20IMANTYAS%20NING.pdf
Umi Kamaruddin (2023) ‘Implementing picture series to enhance the vocabulary of the eight grade students of SMP Negeri 3 parepare’, La Parole : Journal of Language Teaching and Pedagogy, 3(2), pp. 57–66. doi:10.31850/laparole.v3i2.2453.
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