game is able to encourage students to learn the
language quickly. Rohani & Pourgharib (2013) say
that students learn new vocabulary more quickly if
the process of learning is relaxed and comfortable
such as playing games. Furthermore, the game helps
students in learning the language more easily
(Derakhshan & Khatir, 2015). It means that the
game is one of the strategies that can be used to
make students more joyful and fun in learning a
language, especially the vocabularies.
One of a research by Kestha & Al-Faleet (2013)
show that the game is one of the effective strategies
for teaching vocabulary because students’
vocabulary mastery increased after the strategy has
been implemented. It means games can encourage
students to learn English and increase their
motivation. However, the writer tries to find another
strategy in teaching vocabulary by using Word
Ladder game. As Amalia (2015) investigated that
Word Ladder can improve students’ vocabulary. But
in this research, the writer applied the different
design and method of the research. Besides, it used
the different samples to know how Word Ladder can
influence a student’s ability in a different level of
students in improving their vocabulary. Rasinski
(2008a) said that Word Ladder game can motivate
students in learning English because this game
guides them how to remember the words easily.
Therefore, It is expected that the research can be
implemented in Indonesia to help students learning
English well especially in increasing their
vocabularies.
2 GAME
The game is an engaging way that can be used to
teach English in the class. The game is also used to
address student’s needs. As Rohani & Pourgharib
(2013) state that games are a great way to encourage
students in learning English in the class and it helps
them to remember and absorb some information than
if they learn with the simply studying that is usually
used in the class. It showed that games can stimulate
the students and attract them to participate in
teaching learning process and also aid the teacher to
create a context in order to make the language more
useful and meaningful. On the other hand, learning
English especially for EFL students by using
traditional technique might be provided less priority
since the process does not interest them. But, it
should be considered some factors before
implementing the game in the class in order to gain
the outcome based on students’ need, such as
choosing the game based on the number of students,
ages, abilities, durations and contents, and level of
difficulties. However, teaching English especially
vocabulary by using game is considered to aid
learners develop and use the different context of
words to make the process enjoyable. In summary,
games are useful and great ways that may be
implemented in the classroom.
2.1 The Advantages of Using Game
The game becomes one of the ways that can be
implemented to help students to learn a language
more joyful. In addition, games play the important
role in students’ development and language learning.
In addition, implementing game is a great way to
create a comfortable process of learning, increase
students’ motivation in learning, and encourage
group work in order to make teaching-learning
process more effective (Derakhshan & Khatir,
2015). Furthermore, According to Yiltanlilar (2015),
using games in the classroom is the easiest way for
the students to build their creativity, to imagine and
to contact with the object around them and they can
learn with their environment so whenever games are
used in language classes, it encourages students’
motivation. This means all the students have the
same opportunity to be active in the learning process
and encourage them to follow all the instructions
from the teachers. Besides, it also helps the teacher
to transfer the knowledge more effective.
The impact of the games is students can be
easy to learn a language because they feel
comfortable and think that learning a language is
fun. In addition, it does not need much time to
implement it because the teacher can use it in the
beginning even at the end of the meeting to make
children more relax while studying. Therefore, using
games as a strategy in teaching a language can
encourage many learners to learn target language
easily and quickly.
2.2 The Disadvantages of Using Game
There are many advantages of games that can make
teaching-learning more effective in order to help
students easier in studying language, especially
English. However, teachers have to be aware
because games have a few potential pitfalls. There
are some disadvantages of the game that have to be
considered by the teachers, Lee (2014) explains the
factors: