IMPROVING STUDENT’S VOCABULARY MASTERY THROUGH GAME-BASED LEARNING USING KAHOOT! IN ENGLISH CLASS FOR EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS’ AT UPTD SMPN SATU ATAP 3 PESAWARAN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026
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Abstract
Vocabulary mastery is a crucial aspect of English language learning as it forms the foundation for understanding and using the language effectively. However, based on initial observations in the 8th-grade class at UPTD SMPN Satu Atap 3 Pesawaran, students’ vocabulary skills remain relatively low. Students often encounter difficulties in understanding vocabulary meanings, recognizing word forms, and incorporating new words into simple sentences, which may negatively affect their participation and motivation during classroom activities. This research aims to improve students’ vocabulary proficiency by implementing Kahoot as a game-based learning tool. This study employed the Classroom Action Research (CAR) method, which was conducted over two cycles. Each cycle consisted of several stages: planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. Data were collected using vocabulary tests, observation sheets, and documentation throughout the learning process. The results demonstrated a positive improvement in students’ vocabulary achievement following the use of Kahoot. The average score increased from 63.2 in the preliminary phase to 68.7 in Cycle I and reached 76.2 in Cycle II. Furthermore, the number of students who achieved the established mastery criteria also increased. Moreover, Kahoot contributes to increased student participation, motivation, and enthusiasm throughout the learning activities. Consequently, the use of Kahoot as a game-based learning medium can be an effective approach to improving students’ vocabulary mastery in English learning.
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N. Yulianti, S. Suhono, and R. Hidayatullah, “IMPROVING STUDENT’S VOCABULARY MASTERY THROUGH GAME-BASED LEARNING USING KAHOOT! IN ENGLISH CLASS FOR EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS’ AT UPTD SMPN SATU ATAP 3 PESAWARAN IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026”, JURNAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 121-130, Sep. 2026.
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References
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Arochman, T., Madani, S. A., Welasiyah, S., & Setiandari, R. K. (2023). Exploring Students’ Difficulties in Memorizing English Vocabularies in A Higher Education. Journal of English Language and Education, 8(2), 175–183. https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v8i2.430
Baharudin, Saifullah, & Hasan, A. A. Z. (2024). SECONDARY ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER ’ S PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENTS DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING VOCABULARY FACED BY INDONESIAN EFL STUDENTS Publisher : Universitas Dayanu Ikhsanuddin Address : English Education Journal (E2J), (124), 103–110.
Bergdahl, N., Bond, M., Sjöberg, J., Dougherty, M., & Oxley, E. (2024). Unpacking student engagement in higher education learning analytics: a systematic review. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00493-y
Bond, M., & Bergdahl, N. (2023). Student Engagement in Open, Distance, and Digital Education. Handbook of Open, Distance and Digital Education, 1309–1324. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2080-6_79
Chin, W. M., Ahmad, N. A., Ismail, I. A., & Alias, S. N. (2024). The Dynamics of Student Engagement through the Lens of Involvement and Self-Determination Theories. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(11), 2210–2226. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i11/23730
Iwata, M., Pitkänen, K., Laru, J., & Mäkitalo, K. (2020). Exploring Potentials and Challenges to Develop Twenty-First Century Skills and Computational Thinking in K-12 Maker Education. Frontiers in Education, 5(June), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.00087
Li, H. (2016). On English Vocabulary Learning of Students with Learning Difficulties, (Iccessh), 230–234. https://doi.org/10.2991/iccessh-16.2016.57
Li, M. (2025). Research on the construction of English vocabulary learning recommendation system based on multi-objective crow search algorithm. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sasc.2025.200304
Lipnevich, A. A., & Panadero, E. (2021). A Review of Feedback Models and Theories: Descriptions, Definitions, and Conclusions. Frontiers in Education, 6(December). https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.720195
Listyani, L., & Pradina, O. (2021). Vocabulary Mastery Strategies Used By Indonesian Extensive Reading Learners. Prominent, 4(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.24176/pro.v4i1.5731
Lubis, S. (2025). Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Bahasa Indonesia Melalui Metode Discovery Learning Pada Siswa Kelas VII MTs Al-Jumhuriyah, 9, 7378–7386.
Moradi, M., Liu, L., Luchies, C., Patterson, M. M., & Darban, B. (2018). Enhancing teaching-learning effectiveness by creating online interactive instructional modules for fundamental concepts of physics and mathematics. Education Sciences, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci8030109
Muhtarom, A., Suhono, S., Abidin, Z., & Kahfi, N. S. (2025). Implementasi Teknologi Digital dalam Pembelajaran Multikultural Berbasis Nilai-nilai Islam: Studi Kasus di SMK Annuroniyah Sulang. Ulumuddin: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman, 15(1), 253–268. https://doi.org/10.47200/ulumuddin.v15i1.2835
Mulyadi, & Omika, H. A. (2023). The Effect of Student Engagement on Boarding School Students’ Online Learning Achievement. JTP - Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 25(2), 160–174. https://doi.org/10.21009/jtp.v25i2.28316
Nadeem, M., Oroszlanyova, M., & Farag, W. (2023). Effect of Digital Game-Based Learning on Student Engagement and Motivation. Computers, 12(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/computers12090177
Nation, P. (2024). Re-Thinking the Principles of (Vocabulary) Learning and Their Applications. Languages, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9050160
Özdemir, O. (2025). Kahoot! Game-based digital learning platform: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 41(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.13084
Panjaitan, R. Z. P., Sinaga, N. V., Ningsih, F. A., Afsarini, A., Ritonga, S., Hutauruk, G., & Medan, U. N. (2025). Analisis Kesulitan Belajar Siswa dalam Memahami Kosa Kata Pada Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 9, 9829–9834.
Pauliana, R., Suhono, S., Pratiwi, W., & Sari, Y. A. (2023). Improving English Vocabulary Mastery by Using the Alphabet Game for Class VIII at Junior High School Metro TMI RQ Metro. Tapis : Jurnal Penelitian Ilmiah, 7(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.32332/tapis.v7i1.6777
Rangkuti, M., & Putra, D. P. (2026). Motivasi Belajar Siswa MTsN 2 Mandailing Natal, 10, 4396–4399.
Rashid, M. H., Lan, Y., & Hui, W. (2022). The importance of vocabulary in teaching and learning in applied linguistics. Linguistics and Culture Review, 6(March), 1548–1557. https://doi.org/10.21744/lingcure.v6ns2.2177
Rosyada-AS, A., & Apoko, T. W. (2023). Investigating English Vocabulary Difficulties and Its Learning Strategies of Lower Secondary School Students. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 11(3), 489. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v11i3.8404
Safitri, S., Zuniati, M., & Hidayatullah, R. (2025). The Effectiveness of Gamification in English Subject on Communicative Competence. Edutechnium Journal of Educational Technology, 3(2), 78–86. https://doi.org/10.71365/edujet.v3i2.97
Sever, O., Gönülateş, S., Bayrakdar, A., Demirhan, B., Geri, S., & Zorba, E. (2017). Anaerobic Capacity Changes of the National Freestyle Wrestlers during the Olympic Qualification Competition Period. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 5(8), 26. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v5i8.2423
Siregar, T. (2025). Classroom Action Research-Based Learning Innovations: Kemmis and McTaggart Models. Preprints.Org, 1(3), 1–60. Retrieved from https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202510.1440/v1
Sujadi, J., & Wulandari, F. (2021). Study of Students’ Vocabulary Difficulties in Third-Semester Students of Food Technology Major. Edukasi: Jurnal Pendidikan, 19(1), 90. https://doi.org/10.31571/edukasi.v19i1.2347
Taye, T., & Lodebo, T. (2026). The relationship between vocabulary learning strategies, reading comprehension, and motivation among secondary school EFL learners. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102516
Valencia, M., & Junaidi, A. (2021). Representation of Beauty Standards in Films Imperfect: Career, Love & Scales. Proceedings of the International Conference on Economics, Business, Social, and Humanities (ICEBSH 2021), 570(Icebsh), 775–781. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210805.122
Wang, Q. (2024). Re-discover student engagement from the perspective of definition and influencing factors. Frontiers in Psychology, 15(January), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1428668
Wulandari, R. I., Maulana, R. F., Imtiyaz, A. R., Felisa, A. S., Ramadhani, A. D., & Wulandari, A. (2024). Pengaruh Lingkungan Belajar Terhadap Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik di SMP Negeri 8 Gresik. Jurnal Inovasi Penelitian Ilmu Pendidikan Indonesia, 1(3), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.31004/b4tdaf34
Zhang, F. (2024). Effects of game-based learning on academic outcomes: A study of technology acceptance and self-regulation in college students. Heliyon, 10(16), e36249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36249
Zhong, K. (2024). The Effect of Game-Based Vocabulary Learning on Middle School Students’ Motivation and Vocabulary Retention. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media, 74(1), 166–172. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/2024.bo17947