The Correlation between Internal & External Factors that Influence Elementary School Students in Learning English Vocabulary: A Study on the Third Graders of Marsudirini 77 Elementary School Salatiga, Indonesia

Abstract

Communication is very important in this globalization era. To communicate well, proper diction in uttering language expressions is highly desirable. In this case, we cannot get rid of the language because it is inseparable part and the most dominant factor in communication in addition to gestures, facial expressions, and so forth. English is needed as a medium to converse with people around the world. Unfortunately, many people especially those at the young age still find difficulties in learning English vocabulary. This research pays particular attention to the Third Grade of Marsudirini 77 Elementary School Salatiga to identify their difficulties in learning English Vocabulary and their relation to their grade in vocabulary tests. The questionnaire was distributed to students in class and the findings revealed that both internal and external factors included in the questionnaire positively correlated to the students’ grade. That is, the more difficulties they found the lower the grade. By contrast, fewer reported difficulties were associated with higher grades. It is recommended that similar studies need to be conducted to further ascertain the difficulties that hinder students in learning English vocabulary.