Enhancing Seventh Grade Students’ Vocabulary Mastery through the Application of Spelling Bee Game at SMPN 10 Kupang
Keywords:
Vocabulary Mastery, Game-Based Learning, Spelling Bee Game, Junior High School, English Language TeachingAbstract
Vocabulary plays a crucial role in second language acquisition and underpins the four key skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. However, many Indonesian junior high school students struggle to master vocabulary due to monotonous, teacher-centered instructional approaches. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Spelling Bee Game in improving vocabulary mastery among seventh-grade students at SMPN 10 Kupang. Using a one-group pre-test–post-test design, 20 students from class VII H were selected through purposive sampling. A vocabulary spelling test with 20 items on professions and animals was administered before and after the intervention. Results revealed a substantial improvement in mean scores (pre-test: 28.5; post-test: 73.5; gain: 45 points). A paired-samples t-test (t = 10.57, p < 0.05) confirmed that the difference was statistically significant. These findings suggest that the Spelling Bee Game is an engaging and effective strategy for enhancing vocabulary mastery, promoting motivation, and reinforcing spelling and pronunciation. Future studies with larger samples and control groups are recommended to validate these results
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