The Analysis of Vocabulary Mastery to Improve in Speaking Skill at SMPN 4 Pematangsiantar

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the role of vocabulary mastery in improving students’ speaking skills at SMPN 4 Pematangsiantar. Speaking is a crucial language skill that enables students to communicate effectively, and vocabulary plays a fundamental role in supporting this ability. The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative, involving interviews with English teachers, questionnaires to students, and a simple speaking test. The participants were two English teachers and three students selected purposively. The findings indicate that vocabulary mastery significantly contributes to students' speaking performance, especially in fluency, accuracy, and confidence. Teachers affirmed that without adequate vocabulary knowledge, students struggle to express ideas clearly. Moreover, students who had higher vocabulary mastery showed better performance in speaking tests. This study emphasizes the importance of vocabulary instruction as a foundation for developing speaking skills in English learning