The Correlation between Vocabulary Mastery and Reading Comprehension of Students' at the Eleventh Grade of SMA Negeri 1 Palu

Andi Ardini; Mochtar Marhum; Muhammad Arid; Jamiluddin Jamiluddin

doi:10.34050/els-jish.v8i3.45157

Authors

Andi Ardini Universitas Tadulako
Mochtar Marhum Universitas Tadulako
Muhammad Arid Universitas Tadulako
Jamiluddin Jamiluddin Universitas Tadulako

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34050/els-jish.v8i3.45157

Keywords:

Correlation, Vocabulary Mastery, Reading Comprehension

Abstract

The ability to understand and evaluate written information is known as reading comprehension, while vocabulary mastery is the ability to use words in a language effectively. This study looked at how reading comprehension and vocabulary mastery relate to one another among eleventh-grade students at SMA Negeri 1 Palu. Out of a total population of 534 students in 15 courses, 73 individuals were chosen at random to participate in a correlational study design. Multiple-choice exams with 30 questions for reading comprehension and 50 items for vocabulary mastery were used to gather data. A linearity test, Spearman's rank correlation, and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for normalcy were used to analyse the data because of its non-normal distribution. The findings showed a p-value of 0.135 (p > 0.05), indicating no significant relationship between reading comprehension and vocabulary competence. A very little positive link was shown by the correlation coefficient (rs = 0.177). Therefore, it can be said that in this particular situation, students' reading comprehension ability is not strongly predicted by vocabulary competence alone.

References

Adam, J. (2017). Narrative theory and analysis. Routledge.

Anjani, N. L. P. I., Marhaeni, A. A. I. N., & Suarnajaya, I. W. (2022). The correlation between vocabulary mastery and reading comprehension of the tenth-grade students of SMK Negeri 1 Manggis. International Journal of Language Education, 6(1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.26858/ijole.v6i1.29027

Crystal, D. (2003). The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Fitri, Y., & Safitri, A. (2022). Teaching descriptive text to improve students’ writing ability. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning, 3(2), 56–65.

Hidayati, A. (2017). Vocabulary mastery in language learning. Journal of English Education Studies, 1(2), 45–53.

Hirsch, E. D. (2003). Reading comprehension requires knowledge—of words and the world. American Educator, 27(1), 10–29.

Hustiana, E. (2023). Parts of speech in English grammar. Journal of English Language and Education, 5(1), 22–33.

Hwang, H., & Duke, N. K. (2020). Reading comprehension and its development: Components and processes. Educational Psychology Review, 32, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09479-1

Junaid, S., Muzzammil, A., Mujizat, A., & Andini, C. (2023). Onomatopoeia Variation Among Cultures: An Exploration in Selected Children’s Story Books. ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 6(4), 658-664.

Jung, S., Ko, Y., Kyeongjae, P., Sosrohadi, S., & Rahman, F. F. (2025). Bridging Cultural Gaps: Addressing Translation Issues in Korean Language Expression for Indonesian Learners. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 10(3), 1-8.

Ko, Y., Kyeongjae, P., Jung, S., Sosrohadi, S., & Andini, C. (2025). Revisiting EPS TOPIK: Addressing linguistic and cultural challenges for migrant workers in South Korea. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 8(2), 904-910.

Laufer, B. (2013). Vocabulary and reading comprehension: The nexus of two skills. In C. A. Chapelle (Ed.), The encyclopedia of applied linguistics (pp. 5985–5993). Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal1285

Mandasari, B. (2021). The role of vocabulary in language learning. Journal of English Language Studies, 6(1), 34–42.

Muchtar, M. (2017). Teaching basic English words to improve vocabulary mastery. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Literacy, 1(2), 78–85.

Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge University Press.

Nur, A., & Adnan, M. (2020). The role of verbs in English syntactic formation. Journal of English Education and Teaching, 4(1), 23–31.

Rahmah, N., Sari, R., & Putri, D. (2023). Vocabulary mastery and its influence on English language learning. Journal of English Teaching and Linguistics, 7(1), 12–25.

Rahman, F., & Weda, S. (2019). Linguistic deviation and the rhetoric figures in Shakespeare’s selected plays. XLinguage" European Scientific Language Journal", 12(1), 37-52.

Rahman, F., & Weda, S. (2018). Students’ perceptions in appreciating English literary works through critical comment: A case study at Hasanuddin University and Universitas Negeri Makassar. Asian EFL Journal, 20(3), 149-172.

Rahman, F., Abbas, A., Hasyim, M., Rahman, F., Abbas, A., & Hasyim, M. (2019). Facebook group as media of learning writing in ESP context: A case study at Hasanuddin University. Asian EFL Journal Research Articles, 26(6.1), 153-167.

Saputri, R. (2017). Vocabulary as the core of language learning. English Education Journal, 5(2), 67–75.

Schmitt, N. (2014). Size and depth of vocabulary knowledge: What the research shows. Language Learning, 64(4), 913–951. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12077

Sedita, J. (2005). Effective vocabulary instruction. Insights on Learning Disabilities, 2(1), 33–45.

Siregar, R., & Harida, R. (2021). Reading comprehension and descriptive text in English learning. Journal of Language and Literature Education, 2(1), 45–54.

Susetyo, B. (2010). Statistik untuk analisis data penelitian. Refika Aditama.

Ummah, F. (2019). Vocabulary mastery and language skills. English Education: Journal of English Teaching and Research, 4(2), 120–130.

Yaumi, M. T. A. H., Rahman, F., & Sahib, H. (2023). Exploring WhatsApp as Teaching and Learning Activities during Covid-19/New Normal era: A Semiotic Technology Analysis. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 6(12), 7627-7634.

Yildirim, K., Yildiz, M., & Ates, S. (2011). The role of vocabulary knowledge on reading comprehension of Turkish students. Journal of Reading and Writing, 24(1), 55–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-009-9209-2

Youngsun, K., Sosrohadi, S., Andini, C., Jung, S., Yookyung, K., & Jae, P. K. (2024). Cultivating Gratitude: Essential Korean Thankfulness Phrases for Indonesian Learners. ELS Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 7(2), 248-253.