Enhancing Students’ Vocabulary Through Integration Flashcards in Snake and Ladder Game
Abstract
Vocabulary acquisition remains a critical challenge in EFL classrooms, particularly among young learners who often perceive vocabulary exercises as unengaging. This study examines the effectiveness of integrating flashcards with the traditional Snake and Ladder game to enhance vocabulary learning. The research employed a pre-experimental design with nine fourth-grade students in Jepara, Indonesia. Participants completed pre- and post-tests assessing receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge after four intervention sessions combining visual flashcards with game-based practice. Results demonstrated significant improvement (p = 0.001), with mean scores increasing from 38.56 to 68.11 (76.6% gain), confirming the intervention's effectiveness. The large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.84) and consistent performance gains across all participants suggest this method successfully addresses motivation and retention challenges identified in prior research. The findings offer practical implications for EFL educators in low-resource settings, demonstrating how traditional games can be adapted for vocabulary instruction. Policymakers may consider incorporating such gamified approaches into elementary curricula. Future research should explore longitudinal effects and scalability across diverse educational contexts.
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