The use of language games in teaching vocabulary

Using games in teaching and learning vocabulary has become prominent. The increased application of such a tool has called for the need to evaluate its educational value. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of learning vocabulary through games in Year Three classrooms in SK Methodist (ACS) Kampar, Perak. The study attempted to look into the effects of games on vocabulary learning and to investigate the answer to the question, "Do games help pupils learn vocabulary, and if so, how?" The study was also designed to investigate whether using games could be an effective tool in creating a positive attitude and motivation in language learners. This study was also conducted to investigate to what extent using games could solve the unanticipated problems of the learners in learning a language, especially in the vocabulary area. The subjects in this study involved two groups, the experimental group and the control group. Both groups took a pre-test. The experimental group learned a list of vocabulary through various activities using games. The control group also learned the same list through activities in a face-to-face learning lesson. Later, all the subjects took the post-test. The scores of the tests obtained by both groups were compared and discussed. Other information was also collected through a survey questionnaire. The results showed that games can be an effective means of instruction in learning vocabulary. Games help pupils remember the words learnt more effectively than face-to-face learning lessons. Pupils found games to be fun-filled and they were motivated to learn