Linguistic Landscape: Strategy to Improve Vocabulary Development and Reading Comprehension

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Some of the most important language proficiency skills are vocabulary understanding and reading comprehension skills (Moghadam, Zainal & Ghaderpour, 2012). In connection with this, vocabulary skills and reading comprehension must be improved because these two skills are the forefront of literacy (Glende, 2013) Vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension skills have a strong significant relationship ((Ehsanzadeh, 2012; Qian, 2002; Stæhr, 2008 as cited in Teng, 2016). The purpose of this study is to develop students' vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension skills using linguistic landscape strategy. The participants were purposively selected based on their level of performance in reading comprehension skills and vocabulary development.

METHODS

Participants were assessed through administering a standardized diagnostic test about vocabulary and reading comprehension to measure the level of performance in the selected skills without yet applying the linguistic landscape strategy. Consequently, the post-test was also administered with the application of linguistic landscape strategy. Thus, the significant difference was observed with or without the integration of linguistic strategy. Paired T-Test was the statistical tool used to assess the validity of data gathered.

RESULTS

The study reveals that linguistic landscape is another strategy to be used by teachers in unlocking difficulties and helping students understand the reading text. However, there are still some of the strategies which are proven effective, but for Grade seven students, linguistic landscape strategy works. In addition, the visibility of languages on objects that mark the public space captures students' attention in comprehending the unfamiliar words even without the meaning given or presented.

DISCUSSIONS

This study will only focus on the improvement of the reading and vocabulary knowledge of Grade seven students. Thus, the intervention was conducted to the selected students using the linguistic landscape strategy. Furthermore, this study is new in action research, but it was proven effective as a means of strategy in enhancing vocabulary and reading comprehension skills of language learners. The value of this research is to develop the skills of students for them to understand any reading selection. Also, it is a heuristic type of action research as students have to experience to use linguistic landscape for them to improve the skills they already have.