RADMI RALEESHA (GENERAL SIR JOHN KOTELAWALA DEFENCE UNIVERSITY )
IMPACT OF GAME-BASED LEARNING IN DEVELOPING VOCABULARY IN THE ELT : DIGITAL LITERACIES/LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY
In language learning, using games for vocabulary makes studying fun and effective, creating an enjoyable learning experience for students. Thus, this research aims to investigate the impact of game-based learning on the development of vocabulary in English Language Teaching (ELT) for undergraduate students, specifically focusing on 1st-year law undergraduates at University in Sri Lanka. The primary objective is to determine whether incorporating games into the teaching of vocabulary leads to a significant difference in students' language proficiency. The study employed a variety of instruments to assess the impact, including the APTIS test, a comprehensive vocabulary test, pretests, posttests, and engaging activities such as the word-wall activity and the slap the board game. The selection of these instruments aimed to provide a thorough evaluation of the students' vocabulary acquisition and retention through diverse assessment methods. The rationale behind choosing 1st-year law undergraduates as participants was driven by the limited research available on the impact of game-based learning in developing vocabulary for undergraduates in the ELT within the Sri Lankan context. The participants were subjected to a pretest to establish their baseline vocabulary proficiency, followed by a series of game-based interventions, and finally, a posttest to measure the effectiveness of the approach. The results of the empirical study indicate a significant difference between the pretest and posttest data, suggesting that incorporating games into the vocabulary teaching process has a positive impact on undergraduate students. The findings underscore the potential of game-based learning as an effective pedagogical tool for enhancing vocabulary acquisition in the ELT context. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the under-explored area of game-based learning in the Sri Lankan context and advocates for the integration of such innovative methodologies to enrich the vocabulary development of undergraduate students in ELT.
I am a BA in TESOL undergraduate with Cambridge CELTA and currently working as a visiting instructor at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.