This research was conducted to investigate the strategies that the students of ninth
grade at SMP Negeri 3 Randudongkal used in improving their vocabulary during
the COVID-19 Pandemic. This research was a survey in which a qualitative
method was employed. The data were taken using two instruments, namely,
questionnaire and interview. Respondents from this research amounted to 115
students. The result of the questionnaire showed that the respondents employed
four strategies in improving their vocabulary. In the reading strategy, they learned
vocabulary using flashcards, looking up meaning in a dictionary, reading novel,
literature, news and articles. Included into the speaking strategy were practicing
pronunciation, doing role play, memorizing vocabulary one by one, repeating new
vocabulary or taking a speaking course. Listening to English songs, watching
English films without subtitles, watching YouTube, participating in various
English forums and also learning from native speakers was the listening strategy.
The strategies commonly used in writing skills were making a list of new
vocabulary, writing the antonyms and synonyms, writing in a sentence, writing in
a diary or even labeling certain objects. The strategies which were used by the
respondents to support their online learning were looking up meaning in
dictionary, watching English films without subtitles, listening to the English songs
and reading texts or articles.