Improving Students' Vocabulary Mastery Through Games

Background Vocabulary is a fundamental building block for language acquisition and proficiency in English (Nation, 2001). A robust vocabulary enables students to comprehend written and spoken texts effectively, express their thoughts and ideas clearly, and participate confidently in communication (Read, 2000). However, many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, including those in the context of Indonesia, often face challenges in developing a sufficient and active vocabulary repertoire (Schmitt, 2000). This can hinder their overall language learning progress and impact their performance in various language skills such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Traditional methods of vocabulary instruction, which often rely on rote memorization, word lists, and decontextualized exercises, may not always be engaging or effective for all learners (Lightbown & Spada, 2013). These methods can sometimes lead to a lack of motivation and limited retention of new vocabulary...