EFFECTIVENESS OF GAMES IN THE TEACHING-LEARNING OF SPANISH VOCABULARY: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Author Name: Dr. Monika

Volume/Issue: 02/07

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/01.2022-25669247/UIJIR

Affiliation:

Spanish Guest Faculty, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India

ABSTRACT

Vocabulary is one of the most important component in the process of learning a second language or foreign language, which aids to develop all language skills i.e. speaking, writing, listening and reading. Adequate vocabulary facilitates the successful usage of language and thus helps to use learnt structures, grammar and functions efficiently. However, learning vocabulary has been a difficult and boring task for students. Hence, through this paper, we intend to find the ways in which vocabulary can be taught and learnt in an interesting way which engages the students and makes the task easy for them. Therefore, we have chosen games as an important tool to teach Spanish vocabulary and hereby, wish to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of games in the teaching-learning of Spanish as a foreign language. For this purpose, we conducted an experimental study at beginner’s level of Spanish at Jawaharlal Nehru University where Spanish vocabulary was taught using various online and offline games such as dumb charades, Pictionary, kahoot, duolingo, categories, Last man standing etc. Results show that games used in teaching Spanish vocabulary have helped students to learn and memorize vocabulary easily. Moreover, it made classroom session very interesting, interactive, participatory and helped students to build social connections with teacher and their classmates and boosted their motivation.

Key words: games, language learning, Spanish, vocabulary