Developing an Interesting English Vocabulary Learning Material for Junior High School at Wangi-Wangi

Abstract

This study aims to develop interesting supplementary vocabulary materials for grade 8 junior high school students in Wanci. This is a Research and Development (R&D) with the ADDIE model by Branch & Varank (2009). 82 8th-grade students of SMP Negeri 1 Wangi-Wangi participated in the needs analysis. Then, at the implementation stage, 11 students participated in the small group try-out, and 40 students participated in the field test with a larger sample. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires and then analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using descriptive statistics. The results show that the materials developed follow the target students' needs in learning English. Students need structured vocabulary materials with 10-20 words per unit and interactive reading texts to improve comprehension and communication. The classroom environment is the top choice as it supports teacher focus and guidance. Books with attractive displays, animated images, and easy-to-read fonts are preferred, with Arial and Century Schoolbook being the top choices. Animated visuals were more appealing than realistic images, and picture elements helped with vocabulary comprehension. The product test results showed that the developed materials were interesting, suitable for students' needs, and relevant to students' lives. The developed products received positive responses from students and material development experts. With an average score of 3.25-4.00, the book is rated “Very Good” and worthy of being used as additional vocabulary material in the classroom.