Power of Online Games in Enriching EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Knowledge

Online games have been proved to be influential in escalating the learning rate of language. Many facets of language were investigated in the light of online games, but the vocabulary was not considered enough at different proficiency levels. Therefore, the present study aimed at inspecting the impact of online games on young EFL learners’ vocabulary enhancement. For this purpose, following a true experimental design, a sample of eighty male and female learners took part in the study. They were divided into two control and experimental groups randomly. They were homogenized using OPT test. Then, they were pre-tested using an online vocabulary test. Later, the control group was taught using traditional methods of text-book and writing and the experimental group was treated using BINGO online game. Subsequently, the groups were post-tested through another online vocabulary test. Scores were entered into SPSS and the descriptive statistics were calculated and t-tests were run. The results revealed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in mastering specified vocabulary items, and there was a considerable difference between the two groups. The study has implications for teachers, curriculum designers, and students.

Keywords:

vocabulary enhancement , online game , language learning