Interactive strategies for Enriching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Vocabulary: A Comprehensive Exploration

Asiya Tabassum, Asma Naveed

Abstract


Vocabulary is rudimentary to learning any language. The size of students’ vocabulary determines their learning ability. In a nutshell, vocabulary is vital as it’s the foundation of all languages. Recognizing the challenges faced by EFL learners, the study proposes an innovative approach to vocabulary teaching through interactive game-based techniques. This study investigates the use of interactive game-based methods to teach vocabulary to EFL students, highlighting benefits such as improved retention, comprehension, and practical application of new words. Participation in these activities boosts learners' confidence, fostering effective communication skills. Participating in discussions, debates, and presentations fosters critical thinking, motivating learners to analyze and synthesize information. Immediate feedback refines vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar for long-term retention. While interactive methods offer benefits, they have challenges too such as resource-intensive planning and possible participation imbalances. Achieving a balance between fluency and accuracy is crucial for educators, aiming for an approach that optimizes advantages while tackling challenges. This paper underscores the importance of vocabulary in language learning, distinctive requirements of EFL students. It also explores the potential of interactive game-based vocabulary instruction, supported by recent research findings. Vocabulary teaching often follows a cycle of presentation, repetition, and testing. Despite its importance, repetition is frequently neglected due to perceived time constraints and boredom. However, research, as advocated by Paul Nation, highlights its significance. This study, using observational research, examines the effectiveness of game-based techniques. Results indicate that interactive game-based learning yields multiple advantages, including enhanced vocabulary retention, improved comprehension, and practical application of learned words in various contexts.


Keywords


Vocabulary, Game-Based Learning, EFL students, Interactive approach

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