The Effectivness of Language Games in Improving Learners' Vocabulary

Abstract

Learning EFL vocabulary is a difficult task so that teachers try as much as possible to facilitate it for their learners. One of the techniques that can be used is integrating language games. The goal of this research is to check the effectiveness of language games in facilitating learning as well as improving vocabulary. In other words, this study aims at exploring the relation between using language games and vocabulary development for first year middle school pupils. To achieve the mentioned objectives a descriptive study is conducted; it is based on the analysis of data gathered from a questionnaire devoted to teachers, and an immediate interview after the game is designed for pupils. Moreover, the questionnaire explores teacher’s perception to the usefulness of games as a technique for teaching vocabulary; whereas, the interview collects information from the concerned group about their reaction. In general, this study describes the process of using language games and how much pupils may benefit from them. The results showed that it is effective to use language games in teaching vocabulary and integrating them in the lesson which can help pupils to improve their lexical knowledge. However, they need to be used with conditions such as being appropriate to the pupils’ level, the lesson objectives, and the time constraints.