Boosting Vocabulary Learning and Retention in EFL Learners: The Impact of Visual Hints in Educational Games
Subject Areas : Journal of Teaching English Language Studieskhorshid mousavi 1 , Nayer Arshadi 2
1 - گروه آموزشی دانشگاه ارومیه
2 - دانشگاه ازاد مرند
Keywords: Educational Games, Visual Hints, Vocabulary Learning, Vocabulary Retention,
Abstract :
This study explores the effectiveness of visual hints in educational games on vocabulary learning and retention among intermediate EFL learners. Participants included 50 male and female students, aged 15 to 19, from the Ava Language Institute in Urmia, Iran. These native Turkish speakers with Persian as their standard language were selected based on their performance on the Oxford Quick Placement Test (OQPT). The study employed a pretest-posttest design, utilizing the Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (VKS) for assessment. Participants were divided into two groups: a visual hints group and a control group, each comprising 25 students. Both groups engaged with the Spaceteam ESL game, an interactive mobile application designed for language learning. The visual hints group received additional visual aids before answering questions, whereas the control group did not. After 10 sessions, a vocabulary posttest was administered immediately and again one month later to measure retention. Results indicated that visual hints significantly enhanced both vocabulary acquisition and long-term retention compared to the control group. These findings suggest that integrating visual aids embedded in the educational games into language learning games can be a highly effective strategy for improving vocabulary knowledge among intermediate EFL learners. Future research should explore the long-term impacts and applicability across diverse learner populations.
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