The Effect of Game-Based Learning Strategies on Arabic Vocabulary Acquisition and Speaking Skills among Male Undergraduate Students

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33650/ijatl.v10i1.14393
Authors

(1) * K M A Ahamed Zubair   (The New College Chennai, India)  
        India
(2)  Pichchai Mohideen Hamthoon   (Eastern University, Sri Lanka)  
        Sri Lanka
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


This study investigates the effectiveness of game-based learning strategies in improving Arabic vocabulary acquisition and speaking skills among undergraduate learners. The research aimed to examine how crossword puzzles, Quizizz-based formative assessment, and word-guessing games influence vocabulary mastery, speaking performance, and learner engagement. A Classroom Action Research design was employed involving 30 male undergraduate students aged 18–22 years, using two iterative cycles of planning, action, observation, and reflection. Data were collected through vocabulary tests, speaking assessments, Quizizz performance records, observation sheets, and questionnaires. The findings revealed significant improvement in vocabulary scores from 52.4 to 78.6 (p < 0.001) and speaking performance from 5.2 to 7.8, with engagement rising from 40% to 75%. The study contributes to language pedagogy by demonstrating the synergistic effect of integrated game-based strategies in enhancing linguistic competence and reducing speaking anxiety. It implies that structured game-based instruction can be effectively applied in Arabic language classrooms to improve learning outcomes and student motivation.

Keywords

Game-Based Learning; Arabic Vocabulary; Speaking Skills; Classroom Action Research







References


Abnar, S., & Zuidema, W. (2020). Quantifying Attention Flow in Transformers. In Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics (pp. 4190–4197). https://doi.org/10.18653/v1/2020.acl-main.385

Al-Azani, S., & El-Alfy, E. S. M. (2020). Enhanced Video Analytics for Sentiment Analysis Based on Fusing Textual, Auditory and Visual Information. IEEE Access, 8, 136843–136857. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3011977

Alahmadi, A., & Foltz, A. (2020). Effects of Language Skills and Strategy Use on Vocabulary Learning Through Lexical Translation and Inferencing. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, 49(6), 975–991. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-020-09720-9

Alajaji, D., & Alshwiah, A. A. (2021). Effect of Combining Gamification and a Scavenger Hunt on Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions and Achievement. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 20, 283–308. https://doi.org/10.28945/4809

Alderbashi, B., & Haroon, H. (2020). Translating Jinns in Naguib Mahfouz’s Layali Alf Layla into English. 3L: Language, Linguistics, Literature, 26(4), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.17576/3L-2020-2604-11

Altakhaineh, A. R. M., & Sulaiman, N. A. (2025). Teaching English Vocabulary to Arabic-Speaking EFL Learners Through Total Physical Response and Kahoot. International Journal of Technologies in Learning, 32(2), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-0144/CGP/v32i02/169-182

Ariyarit, A., Suwanno., Seefong, M., & Aryuyo, F. (2023). The Effectiveness of using QUIZIZZ Application in Teaching in a Large Engineering Undergraduate Class. International Journal of Engineering Education, 39(2), 289–300.

Brown, A., Atchison, K., Hecker, K., & Kassam, A. (2021). A Tale of Four Programs: How Residents Learn About Quality Improvement during Postgraduate Medical Education at the University of Calgary. Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 33(4), 390–406. https://doi.org/10.1080/10401334.2020.1847652

Ccoa, N. M. Q., Choquehuanca, M. E. F., & Paucar, F. H. R. (2023). An Application of the Quizizz Gamification Tool to Improve Motivation in the Evaluation of Elementary School Students. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(3), 544–550. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2023.13.3.1837

Chen, H. L., & Wu, C. T. (2023). A digital role-playing game for learning: effects on critical thinking and motivation. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(5), 3018–3030. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.1916765

Chow, J. Y., Meerhoff, L. A., Choo, C. Z. Y., Button, C., & Tan, B. S. J. (2023). The Effect of Nonlinear Pedagogy on the Acquisition of Game Skills in a Territorial Game. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1077065

Crosswell, L. H. (2020). The Doctor in My Pocket: Examining Mobile Approaches to Personal Well-being. In Perspectives in Public Health (Vol. 140, Issue 2, pp. 93–101). https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913918823808

Dextre-Vilchez, S. A., & Vásquez-Mercado, R. P. (2022). Perception of the Implementation of the Quizizz App in a Virtual Course of Microbiology. Investigacion En Educacion Medica, 11(41), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.22201/fm.20075057e.2022.41.21376

Dhika, M. A., Arifin, V., & Tsaqofi, W. A. (2023). Comparing GraphQL and ReST Architecture in Arabic Learning Games: A Quality of Service (QoS) Approach. In 2023 11th International Conference on Cyber and IT Service Management, CITSM 2023. https://doi.org/10.1109/CITSM60085.2023.10455108

El Ouardi, L. (2022). The Moroccan Arabic Verb and Noun Test for Language Mapping (MAVNT-LP) under nTMS and DES. Applied Neuropsychology:Adult, 29(6), 1413–1424. https://doi.org/10.1080/23279095.2021.1883020

Elnily, A., & Abdelghany, A. (2022). Automatic POS Tagging of Arabic Words using the YAMCHA Machine Learning Tool. In Proceedings of the 20th Conference on Language Engineering, ESOLEC 2022 (pp. 72–77). https://doi.org/10.1109/ESOLEC54569.2022.10009473

Ersozlu, A., Karakus, M., Karakas, F., & Clouder, D. L. (2024). Nurturing a Climate of Innovation in a Didactic Educational System: A Case Study Exploring Leadership in Private Schools in Turkey. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 23(2), 275–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2022.2129074

Handoko, W., Mizkat, E., Nasution, A., Hambali, & Eska, J. (2021). Gamification in Learning using Quizizz Application as Assessment Tools. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1783, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1783/1/012111

Hursen, C. (2021). The Effect of Problem-Based Learning Method Supported by Web 2.0 Tools on Academic Achievement and Critical Thinking Skills in Teacher Education. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 26(3), 515–533. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-020-09458-2

Lai, C. J. (2024). Enhancing Multimodal Output in CLIL Education: The Impact of VR Games on Fourth-Grade Students’ English Poster Designs and Presentations in Taiwan. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03999-y

Lee, H., & Warschauer, M. (2020). The Effectiveness and Features of Formative Assessment in US K-12 Education: A Systematic Review. Applied Measurement in Education, 33(2), 124–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/08957347.2020.1732383

Lee, Y. H., Chou, Y. T., & Sung, Y. T. (2021). Development and Validation of a Diagnostic Assessment of the Chinese Competence System. Bulletin of Educational Psychology, 53(2), 285–306. https://doi.org/10.6251/BEP.202112_53(2).0002

Lee, Y. S. (2024). Qualitative and Mixed Methods. In Translational Orthopedics (pp. 229–232). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85663-8.00010-6

Musyafaah, N. L., Darmawan, Muwahid, & Syafaq, H. (2021). Islamic Community Organization Collaboration in Rejecting Presidential Regulation on Alcohol Investment. In Journal of Drug and Alcohol Research (Vol. 10, Issue 9).

Nadolny, L., Valai, A., & Nowatzke, M. (2020). Examining the Characteristics of Game-Based Learning: A Content Analysis and Design Framework. Computers and Education, 156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103936

Nuraini, N. L. S., & Humaidi. (2020). Online Assessment Application in Measuring the Numeracy Level of Prospective Elementary School Teachers. In Proceedings - 2020 6th International Conference on Education and Technology, ICET 2020 (pp. 126–130). https://doi.org/10.1109/ICET51153.2020.9276626

Nurhasanah, F., Sukandi, U., Kuncoro, A. B., Rusilowati, A., Hastuti, W. S., & Prabowo, A. (2020). Collaborative Classroom Action Research for Mathematics and Science Teachers in Indonesia. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1613, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1613/1/012024

Ordu, Y., & Caliskan, N. (2023). The Impact of a Web-Based Mind Map Learning Technique on Students’ Nursing Knowledge of the Nursing Process. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 34(2), 108–115. https://doi.org/10.1111/2047-3095.12374

Parvez, M. T., Alsuhibani, A. M., & Alamri, A. H. (2023). Educational and Cybersecurity Applications of an Arabic CAPTCHA Gamification System. Ingenierie Des Systemes d’Information, 28(5), 1275–1285. https://doi.org/10.18280/isi.280516

Pham, A. T. (2022). University Students’ Attitudes towards the Application of Quizizz in Learning Arabic as a Foreign Language. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 17(19), 278–290. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v17i19.32235

Rulyansah, A., Hidayat, M. T., Rihlah, J., Shari, D., & Mariati, P. (2023). Digital Play for Enhancing Language Learning in Early Grades. Pegem Egitim ve Ogretim Dergisi, 13(2), 182–190. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.13.02.22

Slater, S. J., Leider, J., & Chriqui, J. F. (2022). Examining the Implementation of Activity-Friendly Zoning and Land Use Policies Through the Use of Google Street View Measures: A Pilot Study. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 28(1), E127–E136. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000001176

Solimando, C. (2022). E-Learning and Arabic in the Age of Covid-19: Rethinking the Learning of Vocabulary. Altre Modernita, 27, 166–180. https://doi.org/10.54103/2035-7680/17884

Tallas-Mahajna, N. (2024). Exploring Subject Markers and Object Clitics Errors in Spoken Arabic: A Case Study of Children with and without Developmental Language Disorder. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 6(4), 140–154. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v6i4.6635

Tomczyk, L., Szyszka, M., Mascia, M. L., & Falkowska, J. (2022). Evaluation of the Quality of the Educational Software From the Perspective of Experiences of Italian and Polish Pre-Service Teachers. In 30th International Conference on Computers in Education Conference, ICCE 2022 - Proceedings (Vol. 1, pp. 613–618).

Zhang, L. (2022). Improved Collaborative Filtering Automatic Assessment System for Teaching English Writing in College. Advances in Multimedia, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7092811


Dimensions, PlumX, and Google Scholar Metrics

10.33650/ijatl.v10i1.14393


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 K M A Ahamed Zubair Zubair

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.