The Effect of Using Educational Games as a Tool in Teaching English Vocabulary to Arab Young Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study in a Kindergarten School in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Vocabulary is an essential element of English language learning. There are many strategies, which teachers can use in teaching vocabulary, especially to young learners. One of these strategies is using educational games to teach vocabulary more effectively. The aim of this quasi-experimental study is to investigate the effect of using educational games on the vocabulary learning of young children. The research was conducted at a kindergarten in Saudi Arabia, in which the participants were 40 Arab young learners. They were between 5 and 6 years old, and all of them were nonnative speakers. Participants were divided into two groups, control, and experimental group. The experimental and control group comprised of twenty students each. The experimental group was taught using games in which the children were involved. On the other hand, the control group was taught using a more “traditional” method by repetition. A vocabulary-based test, presenting as a pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test, was assigned to both groups. The study revealed that applying educational games as a learning technique with young learners, increased learner engagement, improved knowledge absorption and retention, and gave learners the opportunity to see real word application. Accordingly, this study recommends using educational games in teaching vocabulary more creatively with young learners.

Teaching Vocabulary Using Game in SMP Muhammadiyah Ambarawa: A Case Study

“…Students are also faster at remembering the Vocabulary given when using the Game. The findings of this study are in line with research conducted by Saleh & Althaqafi [4], Santri [5], Bircan [6], Rizki & Wirhayati [8], Misa [9], Bakar & Nosratirad [10], Ramadhaniarti [11], Gozcu & Caganaga [12], Chen et al [14], Muhammadqosimovna [15], Bakhsh [16], Amalia [17], Usman et al [18], Elsa et al [19], Alhajaji et al [21], Qizi [24]. All research on teaching vocabulary using games is effective even though the research participants are of different levels and from various regions.…”

“…Many researchers have conducted studies investigating teaching vocabulary using Games such as: Saleh & Althaqafi [4] did research on the effect of using educational games as a tool in teaching English vocabulary to Arab young children: a quasiexperimental Study in a Kindergarten school in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the study is to determine the influence of the use of educational games on the vocabulary learning of young children.…”

From drawings to puppet shows: practical ways in teaching vocabulary to primary school EFL learners

“…In the foreign language learning, games can serve as a framework for establishing a meaningful setting for language learning. According to Saleh and Althaqafi (2022), games can help learners enhance their understanding of written and spoken English. Learners can use games to practice pronouncing and spelling words and structures in context.…”

Experimental Teaching Design of Environmental Microbiology Based on Microalgae Culture under the Background of Big Data

“…An investigation and analysis of the class opening rate of biological experiments found that among the 35 biological experiments, only 8 experiments had a class opening rate exceeding 50%. In-depth investigation and analysis found that there were mainly the following five reasons: (1) The experiment was too difficult to (2) The high school biology course is too busy to carry out every experiment; (3) The equipment and experimental materials required for the experiment are insufficient, and the experiment cannot be carried out; (4) Some experiments cannot be opened because the experimental results are not clear;…”

“…rational cognition. However, the actual teaching implementation and effect of high school are not optimistic, and the reasons are many subjective and objective factors [1][2].…”