The Correlation Between Vocabulary Mastery and Listening Skills of Vocational High School Students

Abstract

The objective of the research was to find out the correlation between vocabulary ability and listening skill of the eleventh grade of a vocational senior high school in Palu. The researcher used a quantitative research method. The researcher used a purposive sampling technique for gathering the sample. The data were collected by using the test. In analyzing the data, the researcher used Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient and Significance of Correlation Coefficient Formula, using a 5% (0.05) significance level with 13 (15-2) degrees of freedom (df). The researcher found that the r_counted (13.294) was higher than the r_table (0.553). The correlation coefficient between students' mastery of vocabulary ability and listening skill is 0.874. Statistically, r_counted (13.294) far exceeds r_table (0.553) at a significance level of 5% with 13 degrees of freedom, confirming a strong relationship. However, the findings also reveal that most students have very low levels of vocabulary (46.67% of students scored < 50) and listening skills (60% of students scored < 50), often struggling to distinguish between words that sound similar or not knowing the meaning of basic words. These results underscore the crucial role of vocabulary in oral comprehension, consistent with previous studies stating that vocabulary mastery is the foundation of effective communication. Therefore, this study recommends increasing the focus on vocabulary mastery to improve students' listening skills substantially.