Institutional Repository | Satya Wacana Christian University: Vocabulary Learning Using Agatha Christie Peril at End House Game

Vocabulary Learning Using Agatha Christie Peril at End House Game
Antonius Gigih Satria
112010144

ABSTRACT
In learning English as a second or a foreign language, vocabulary plays an important role
for learners. Lack of vocabulary items may cause some negative effects in reading, listening,
speaking and writing. Learning vocabulary is very frustrating for some learners when the source
is only taken from reading text, however, the use of technology like Internet and computer games
in this era has its roles in educational environment. As Prensky (2002, p. 2) argues, if someone
plays a game, wants it or not, learning happens constantly. The previous study of Bakar &
Nosratirad (2013) shows that games can be beneficial in sustaining language learning especially
in improving space to independent learning. The aims of this study were to examine how learners
learned vocabulary while playing the game and also help learners improving their vocabulary
items outside the classroom activity. This study was conducted using Agatha Christie Peril at
End House game and Vocabulary Knowledge Skill (VKS) adapted from Paribakht and Wesche
(1996) for pre-test and post-tests. Thirty (30) senior high school Grade 2 students participated in
this study. The pre-test was conducted one time, while the post-test were conducted two times
(two days and two weeks after playing the game). This study used Wilcoxon T-test in order to
analyze and compare the data. The findings, the result of pre-test and post-tests, showed the
significance of game in learning vocabulary and some phenomenon related to the result of the

study such as negative change. This study hopefully provides benefits in teaching and learning
vocabulary for both teachers and students.
Key words: Vocabulary, ESL, EFL, Agatha Christie Peril at End House, game, VKS.