MENINGKATKAN KOSAKATA SISWA KELAS VII DI SMPS MIFTAAHUL KHAIRAAT PALU MELALUI PERMAINAN TEKA-TEKI SILANG

The objective of this research was to examine whether the application of crossword puzzle game can increase vocabulary of grade VII students at SMPS Miftaahul Khairaat Palu or not. This research employed Class Action Research design which was conducted in the form of a spiral: planning, action, observation, and reflection. The subjects of this research were 17 students of grade VII in the academic year 2023-2024. This research was conducted in two cycles; the first cycle consisted of four meetings and the second one consisted of two meetings. Thus, there were totally six meetings in two cycles (cycle 1 and cycle 2). In collecting the data, there were three types of instruments used in this research; tests, observation sheets, and field notes. The results of quantities data analysis indicate that the mean score of posttests in cycle 2, 81.36 is higher than that of posttest in cycle 1, 69.40, and that of pretest in cycle 1, 60.78, Thus, based on the comparison of the students’ vocabulary achievement in pretest and in posttest in cycle 1 and in cycle 2, it can be concluded that the use crossword puzzle game can increase vocabulary of the grade VII students. The results of qualitative data indicate that the students’ vocabulary increases from cycle 1 to cycle 2 because the improvement of action in each meeting was conducted based on the weaknesses found in each meeting such as guiding the students to understand the clues, making them enjoyable and enthusiastic to compete one another to find the meaning of vocabulary, to spell it, to remember it, and to fill it into boxes available.
Key Terms: Increasing, Vocabulary, and Crossword Puzzle Game