Educational Games as a Vehicle to Teaching Vocabulary

One of the most difficult aspects of learning a foreign language (particularly in an EFL context) is the retention of vocabulary. Vocabulary learning plays a major role in English language learner’s success. The standard method of presenting up to 20 or more new vocabulary words that students are expected to learn at a given time is not an effective way to help the learners develop vocabulary (Gresten and Baker, 2000). To this end, most ESL/EFL specialists often justify the use of games with reference to the motivation that they can provide for the students. Scholars suggest many techniques for learning, and word game is one of them. Educational games in general and word game specifically as a reinforcing device on improving student’s vocabulary knowledge is a topic which needs to be investigated. This study attempted to investigate the role of using word games in expanding the learner’s vocabulary. In so doing, an experiment using five word games, named Twenty Questions, Charades, Definition Game’s, Passwords, and Crossword Puzzles respectively was conducted. The participants were selected randomly from a male/ female group of thirdgrade junior high school students studying at a private school. First, a standardized test was administered to 100 students out of which 60 almost homogeneous students were selected and randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control. Both groups were taught words using traditional methods, however, the experimental group received word games as a treatment at the end of each session. Finally, a vocabulary test was administered to both groups to determine the differences between them. The score obtained from the groups were