ENHANCING MORPHOLOGICAL & SYNTACTICAL AWARENESS THROUGH VOCABULARY GAMES

Abstract

Vocabulary is one of the most essential parts in learning any languages along with other skills. Being proficient in English language depends on the knowledge of its vocabulary possessed by the second and foreign language learners and even the native speakers. The declining proficiency of English language ability among Malaysian learners and the weak grasp of English vocabulary has been a concern to Malaysian linguists, educationists, and policymaker. The traditional teaching methods of vocabulary which are currently employed in most schools and tertiary education are less interesting, ineffective as well as less motivating. Hence, this study aims to develop innovate and creative skills in designing vocabulary games focusing on morphology and syntax in enhancing vocabulary development among ESL undergraduates in local university. It also evaluates the effectiveness using vocabulary games focusing on morphology and syntax among students. The data consist of the responses of 89 ESL undergraduates of semester II 2020/2021from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) pertaining to their learning of morphology and syntax in BIK10103 course. This mixed method approach study adopts an online questionnaire to investigate the vocabulary learning challenges faced by the learners themselves. Based on the data, these students design their own vocabulary game together with the researchers who act as mentor. After the devising of the vocabulary games, semi structured interview adopting Kolb’s experiential learning style was carried out with students’ representatives to assess the effectiveness of using vocabulary games in learning morphology and syntax. Based on students’ grade result, statistics indicates that the implementation of vocabulary games play a vital role in enhancing students’ performance and achievement in learning morphology and syntax. To its contribution, this study highlights the effectiveness of implementing vocabulary games in enhancing mastery in vocabulary. Future research may explore a longitudinal study at different educational levels with different instruments in which appropriately being investigated in English language classrooms.