Harnessing two language games to enhance students’ achievement in English vocabulary: implications for innovation in second language teaching

Abstract

This study investigated the use of games strategies on Senior Secondary One (SS1) students’ achievement in English vocabulary in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. The study was carried out to determine whether puzzle and scramble games strategies would improve students’ achievement in English vocabulary. The study was guided by five research questions and five hypotheses. A non-randomized pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. A sample of 100 students was drawn from three secondary schools in the area. Three intact classes were used for the experimental and control groups. A researcher-made English Vocabulary Achievement Test (EVAT) was used for data collection. Mean and standard deviations were used to answer the research questions, while the null hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that scramble and word-search puzzle games strategies had significant effects on students’ achievement in English vocabulary. Findings further revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean vocabulary achievement scores of male and female students taught English vocabulary (Registers) using scramble and word search puzzle games strategies. Based on the findings, it was recommended among other things that teachers of English language should adopt scramble and puzzle games strategies to enhance students’ achievement in English vocabulary. Workshops and seminars should also be organized regularly by relevant educational agencies for teachers on the application of scramble and word search puzzle games strategies in the teaching and learning of English vocabulary in secondary schools.