Article Sidebar

Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 0 Download : 0

Main Article Content

Abstract

Vocabulary mastery is essential for learning English as it supports the development of the four language skills. However, many Indonesian students face difficulties due to uninteresting instruction and low motivation. This study aimed to examine the effect of a game-based web application (Wordwall) on the vocabulary mastery of EFL students. A quantitative quasi-experimental design was employed involving two classes consisting of 32 students each. The experimental group was taught using Wordwall, while the control group received conventional instruction. Vocabulary mastery was measured through pre-test and post-test instruments. The findings revealed that the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group, with mean post-test scores of 74.37 and 59.38, respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed that there was a significant effect of using Wordwall on students’ vocabulary mastery (t = 14.883, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the effect size analysis using Cohen’s d indicated a large effect (d = 0.86). These findings demonstrate that the use of Wordwall as a game-based web application has a significant effect on EFL students’ vocabulary mastery at the junior high school level.

Keywords

EFL Teaching Vocabulary Mastery Wordwall Web-Based Application

Article Details

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

In submitting the manuscript to the FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching, the authors certify that:

  • They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
  • The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal.
  • That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
  • The publication has been approved by the author(s) and by responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
  • They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
  • They agree to the following license and copyright agreement.

License and Copyright Agreement

Authors who publish with FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors can enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or edit it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) before and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
How to Cite
Aisy, R., Dzakiah, D., & Rasmi, R. (2026). The Effects of a Game-Based Web Application on EFL Students’ Vocabulary Mastery: A Quasi- Experimental Study. FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching, 7(1), 263-278. https://doi.org/10.24256/foster-jelt.v7i1.363
Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

References

  1. Agustina, S., Megawati, F., Taufiq, W., Setyowati, N. A., & Nurani, S. D. G. (2024). Optimizing English learning in high schools with contemporary learning models using whiteboard animation. Journal of Community Service and Empowerment, 5(3), 615–623. https://doi.org/10.22219/jcse.v5i3.35776
  2. Alfares, N. S. (2025). Investigating the Efficacy of Wordwall Platform in Enhancing Vocabulary Learning in Saudi EFL Classroom. International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.367870
  3. Al-Rashidi, A. H. (2025). Does digital task-based instruction make a difference in EFL university students’ motivation in Saudi Arabia? An Active theory perspective. Learning and Motivation, 90, 102115. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2025.102115
  4. Amaliyah, R. D., & Mastuti Rahayu, E. (2023). The Implementing of Using Wordwall as a Media to Improve The Students’ Vocabulary Achievement in New Normal Era. Edu-Ling: Journal of English Education and Linguistics, 6(2), 165–174. https://doi.org/10.32663/edu-ling.v6i2.3571
  5. Augie, A. S., Rukuna, A. F., & Shehu, U. (2025). Impact of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) on English Vocabulary Acquisition. International Journal of Integrative Research, 3(9), 649–664. https://doi.org/10.59890/ijir.v3i9.64
  6. Ayu, R., Agustiah, P., Mariyani, H., & Khotimah, R. N. (2025). The Impact of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) on Students’ Vocabulary Mastery. JUPE : Jurnal Pendidikan Mandala, 10(4).
  7. Azzahra, F., Rahmadita, J., & Hazmi, Z. (2025). The Effectiveness of Using Wordwall Website in Improving Science Learning Motivation in Elementary School: A Literature Review. In IJOELA: International Journal of Education and Learning Assesment (Vol. 01, Issue 01). https://scholar.google.com/.
  8. Boroughani, T., Behshad, N., & Xodabande, I. (2023). Mobile-assisted academic vocabulary learning with digital flashcards: Exploring the impacts on university students’ self-regulatory capacity. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1112429
  9. Boroughani, T., Xodabande, I., & Karimpour, S. (2023). Self-regulated learning with mobile devices for university students: exploring the impacts on academic vocabulary development. Discover Education, 2(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-023-00028-z
  10. Capili, B., & Anastasi, J. K. (2024). An Introduction to Types of Quasi-Experimental Designs. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 124(11), 50–52. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0001081740.74815.20
  11. David Creswell, J. (2023). Sixth Edition.
  12. Diah Anggreini, N., Wirawati, B., & Surjowati, R. (2022). Using Wordwall.net As A Media To Improve Students Vocabulary Mastery At The Eighth Grade Of SMP Negeri 40 Surabaya. In Journal English Education.
  13. Dou, A., Xu, W., & Xu, L. (2025). Interactive Learning Environments. International Journal of E-Collaboration, 21(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJeC.369815
  14. Dwi Prastiwi, F., & Lestari, T. D. (2025). Digital Game-Based Learning in Enhancing English Vocabulary: A Systematic Literature Review. In Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu Pendidikan Indonesia (Vol. 4, Issue 2). https://jpion.org/index.php/jpi349JournalWebsite:https://jpion.org/index.php/jpi
  15. Erlam, R., Philp, J., & Feick, D. (2021). The Adolescent Language Learner: Setting the Scene. In Teaching Languages to Adolescent Learners (pp. 1–18). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108869812.002
  16. Godwin-Jones, R. (2022). Partnering with AI: Intelligent writing assistance and instructed language learning. Language Learning & Technology, 26(2), 5–24. https://doi.org/10.64152/10125/73474
  17. Hao, T., Wang, Z., & Ardasheva, Y. (2021). Technology-Assisted Vocabulary Learning for EFL Learners: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, 14(3), 645–667. https://doi.org/10.1080/19345747.2021.1917028
  18. Herrero-Martín, M., Aldavero, C., Lahuerta, A., Carro, L., & Herrero, A. J. (2025). Developing Key Competencies in Primary Education Using Modern Board Games. International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.393673
  19. Hikmah, S. N., Wayan, N., Susanti, M., & Saputra, A. (2025). The Effectiveness of Using Wordwall Application to Improve Students Vocabulary Mastery: A Study at the Seventh Grade of SMPN 2 Buer, Sumbawa Besar. https://jeef.unram.ac.id/index.php/jeef/index
  20. Jedi-Sari-Biglar, L., & Liman-Kaban, A. (2023). Exploring the effect of mobile-assisted task-based learning on vocabulary achievement and student attitude. Smart Learning Environments, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00270-w
  21. Katemba, C. V. (2025). Role of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning in Improving Vocabulary Mastery among EFL Students. 3. https://jurnal.insanciptamedan.or.id/index.php/pebsas
  22. Khasanah, W. P., & Suminar, R. P. (2023a). EDUCATIONAL ONLINE GAME FOR STUDYING VOCABULARY: WORDWALL ON PUPILS’ PERCEPTIONS. Academic Journal PERSPECTIVE: Language, Education and Literature, 11(2), 129–141. https://doi.org/10.33603/perspective.v11i2
  23. Khasanah, W. P., & Suminar, R. P. (2023b). EDUCATIONAL ONLINE GAME FOR STUDYING VOCABULARY: WORDWALL ON PUPILS’ PERCEPTIONS. Academic Journal PERSPECTIVE: Language, Education and Literature, 11(2), 129–141. https://doi.org/10.33603/perspective.v11i2
  24. Li, X., & Matar Hasan Alharbi, W. (2025). Impact of digital feedback, self-efficacy, and autonomy on motivation and general english performance in online courses. Learning and Motivation, 90, 102121. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2025.102121
  25. Li, Y., Chen, D., & Deng, X. (2024). The impact of digital educational games on student’s motivation for learning: The mediating effect of learning engagement and the moderating effect of the digital environment. PLOS ONE, 19(1), e0294350. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294350
  26. Mahardika, P. A., & Sukardi. (2024). Android-Based Learning Media to Improve Understanding of Indonesian Vocabulary. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran, 57(3), 631–643. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpp.v57i3.78678
  27. Manihuruk, D. H. (2020). The Correlation between EFL Students’ Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension. JET (Journal of English Teaching), 6(1), 86–95. https://doi.org/10.33541/jet.v6i1.1264
  28. Masrai, A., Milton, J., El-Dakhs, D. A. S., & Elmenshawy, H. (2021). Measuring the contribution of specialist vocabulary knowledge to academic achievement: disentangling effects of multiple types of word knowledge. Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education, 6(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-021-00114-5
  29. Mayer, R. E. (2021). The Multimedia Principle. In R. E. Mayer & L. Fiorella (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning (3rd ed., pp. 145–157). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.1017/9781108894333.015
  30. Musthafa, F. A. D., & Anam, H. (2023). The Implementation of “wordwall” web-based games as instructional media to improve Arabic vocabulary mastery of 8th grade students at SMP Nurul Huda Modung. Aqlamuna: Journal of Educational Studies, 1(1), 156–166. https://doi.org/10.58223/aqlamuna.v1i1.238
  31. Nation, I. S. P. (2022). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009093873
  32. Okumuş Dağdeler, K. (2023). A systematic review of Mobile-Assisted Vocabulary Learning research. In Smart Learning Environments (Vol. 10, Issue 1). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00235-z
  33. Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS.
  34. Pradini, P. C., & Adnyayanti, N. L. P. E. (2022). Teaching English Vocabulary to Young Learners with Wordwall Application: An Experimental Study. Journal of Educational Study, 2(2), 187–196. https://doi.org/10.36663/joes.v2i2.351
  35. Pramudita, B. I., & Sunarso, A. (2024). Study of Wordwall Web Based Learning Media to Increase Student Learning Interest in Science Learning. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 10(10), 8149–8157. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v10i10.9502
  36. Putri, M. A., Herpratiwi, H., & Firdaus, R. (2025). The Influence of Game Based Learning on Student Motivation in the Digital Era: Literature Review. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan : Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengembangan Pembelajaran, 10(1), 122. https://doi.org/10.33394/jtp.v10i1.13814
  37. Putri, S. P., Irfan, & Husain, Muh. S. (2025). Web-Based Learning Media Wordwall in Fine Arts Learning to Increase Student Learning Motivation. ETDC: Indonesian Journal of Research and Educational Review, 4(2), 342–348. https://doi.org/10.51574/ijrer.v4i2.3007
  38. Rahmawati, R. A., & Dahlina, U. (2024). The Effect of Digital Flashcard on Students’ Vocabulary Mastery at Seventh Grade of SMP Negeri 1 Kramatwatu. JEDLISH : Journal of Education and English Language Teaching, 4(1), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.61664/jedlish.v4i1.165
  39. Schmitt, N., & Schmitt, D. (2020). Vocabulary in Language Teaching. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108569057
  40. Sugihartini, N., Elmunsyah, H., Nurhadi, D., & Rahmawati, Y. (2025). Innovative web-based microteaching model: To improve the teaching skills of prospective informatics teachers in vocational high schools. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101344
  41. Teng, M. F., Mizumoto, A., & Takeuchi, O. (2024). Understanding growth mindset, self-regulated vocabulary learning, and vocabulary knowledge. System, 122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2024.103255
  42. Tiara, A. G., Saefullah, H., & Nugraha, S. I. (2024). Investigating EFL Learners’ Engagement in Multimodal Vocabulary Learning : A Case Study.
  43. Tonda, A., Pardo, R., Remolar, I., & Rossano, V. (2026). Educational games for learning vocabulary in English as a Foreign Language. Entertainment Computing, 56, 101070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2025.101070
  44. Verhoeven, M., Zijlstra, B. J. H., & Volman, M. (2021). Understanding school engagement: The role of contextual continuities and discontinuities in adolescents’ learner identities. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2020.100460
  45. Wang, Z., Zou, D., Peng, P., Wang, F. L., Lee, L.-K., & Xie, H. (2025). Effects of mobile metaverse-based vocabulary learning on learners’ perception and performance: a case study of Chinese EFL learners. Journal of Computers in Education, 12(4), 1333–1366. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-024-00348-5