GAME-BASED LEARNING AS A TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE VOCABULARY ACQUISITION IN THE PRIMARY EDUCATION

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of game-based learning in improving vocabulary acquisition among fourth-grade EFL learners. The research was conducted in a public primary school in Novi Sad, Serbia, and involved 51 students divided into an experimental (N = 26) and a control group (N = 25). A quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test measures was employed. The experimental group received vocabulary instruction through game-based activities, while the control group was taught using traditional methods. The results, analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-tests, showed no significant difference between the groups on the pre-test. However, the post-test results revealed a statistically significant advantage in favour of the experimental group, which also demonstrated greater overall improvement. The findings indicate that game-based learning is an effective approach to vocabulary instruction, enhancing learner engagement and retention in primary EFL contexts.