A need analysis of the high-frequency words (HFW) dictionary for the Indonesian language for foreigners (ILF)-1 learning

Abstract

This is a preliminary study of research development for creating a dictionary of high-frequency words (HFW). Thus, this study tries to analyze the need of the ILF learners as the users of a dictionary of HFW for their ILF learning. A list of high-frequency words should be used in ILF learning so that the learning objectives can be achieved effectively. Unfortunately, the word list is not yet available. The ILF learners, especially those at the beginner level, still have difficulty using the Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language (KBBI). They prefer using translation apps to obtain the meaning of a word, even though these apps do not always help. Employing a descriptive survey, this study involved a total of 183 ILF teachers and learners. The data were gathered through Google-form questionnaires. In addition, interviews were administered with selected ILF teachers who had a teaching experience of more than 15 years. The findings revealed that the teachers and learners had different beliefs on the vocabulary forms needed for making a dictionary of HFW. The learners still did not understand the concepts of high-frequency words. According to the teachers, HFW was more needed for ILF learning. Meanwhile, for the learners, general words were more needed. Besides, digital dictionaries were more in demand than printed dictionaries. Bilingual dictionaries were more needed than monolingual dictionaries. Both the teachers and learners believed that the dictionary of HFW should comprise sentence examples. They both agreed that the dictionary of HFW should provide information about the use of words in sentence examples, affixes, synonymous phrases, antonyms, word classes, and phonetics. Therefore, the results of this research analysis can be used as a basis for developing a dictionary that fits the needs of ILF-1 learners.