Game-Based Instruction: The Impact of Taboo on Students’ Vocabulary Development

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v4i4.819

Authors

  • Siska Rahma Oktaviani Universitas Tadulako
  • Afrillia Anggreni Universitas Tadulako
  • Andi Patmasari Universitas Tadulako
  • Rofiqoh Rofiqoh Universitas Tadulako

Keywords:

Game-Based Instruction, Quasi-Experimental Study, Taboo Game, Vocabulary Mastery

Abstract

English vocabulary serves as an essential basis for enhancing students’ communicative competence. However, numerous EFL learners still struggle to master this component, and there is a limited amount of research exploring the use of the Taboo Game as a vocabulary enhancement tool in junior high school settings. Therefore, this research seeks to investigate how the Taboo Game can enhance the vocabulary mastery of seventh-grade students at SMP Negeri Model Terpadu Madani. This research employed a quasi-experimental approach, involving two classes: VII Lamalonda, the experimental group, and VII Erwin Sumampau, the control group, which were selected through purposive sampling. The study utilised pre-tests and post-tests as instruments to assess students’ vocabulary performance. The findings showed that the experimental group’s post-test mean score (88) exceeded that of the control group (61). The analysis using SPSS 27 showed that the significance value (Asymp. Sig. 2-tailed) of 0.000 was below the 0.05 threshold, indicating that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted. These findings suggest that the Taboo Game is an effective tool for enhancing students’ vocabulary mastery in English language instruction. This highlights that the implementation of the Taboo Game can foster active participation, motivation, and retention of vocabulary.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aprianto, S. R. Mertosono, and W. Wahyudin, “Applying Taboo Game In Improving Vocabulary Mastery Of Grade VII Students Of SMPN 4 LUWUK,” e-Journal of ELTS (English Language Teaching Society), vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 633–645, 2024, doi: 10.22487/elts.v12i1.4428.

S. D. Lestari and E. S. D. Damanik, “Students’ Perceptions on the Effectiveness of the Taboo Game in Enhancing English Vocabulary Acquisition,” Elsya : Journal of English Language Studies, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 172–184, June 2024, doi: 10.31849/elsya.v6i2.19819.

A. Yaacob, M. Narayanan, I. Suryani, P. Michael, and Y. Yulianeta, “Improving Aquisition of Business Vocabulary Using Taboo Word Game,” Journal of Human Development and Communication (JoHDeC), vol. 13, pp. 79–84, 2024, doi: 10.58915/johdec.v13.2024.1833.

M. M. H. Pollmann and E. J. Krahmer, “How Do Friends and Strangers Play the Game Taboo? A Study of Accuracy, Efficiency, Motivation, and the Use of Shared Knowledge,” J Lang Soc Psychol, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 497–517, Sept. 2018, doi: 10.1177/0261927X17736084.

S.-M. Lee, “Factors affecting incidental L2 vocabulary acquisition and retention in a game-enhanced learning environment,” ReCALL, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 274–289, Sept. 2023, doi: 10.1017/S0958344022000209.

A. Yudintseva, “Game-Enhanced Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition Strategies: A Systematic Review,” JSS, vol. 03, no. 10, pp. 101–109, 2015, doi: 10.4236/jss.2015.310015.

H. Agustina, “The Effect of Using Taboo Game on Grade Eight Students’ Vocabulary Achievement at Smp n 1 Bangsalsari in the 2012/2013 Academic Year,” Jan. 2014, Accessed: Nov. 13, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://repository.unej.ac.id/xmlui/handle/123456789/14299

I. A. Isah, O. Olagunju, M. M. Ismail, S. Hassan, and N. Man, “Enhancing Sustainable Stingless Beekeeping Production through Technology Transfer and Human Resource Development in Relationship with Extension Agents Work Performance among Malaysian Beekeepers,” AJAEES, pp. 1–12, Feb. 2019, doi: 10.9734/ajaees/2019/v30i230108.

A. Wahyudi, “Entitled entitled the Effectiveness of Using Taboo Game on Students’ Vocabulary Mastery at the Seventh Grade of SMP Nurul Islam Pasanggar Pegantenan Pamekasan,” diploma, INSTITUT AGAMA ISLAM NEGERI MADURA, 2023. doi: 10/BAB%2520V%2520Skripsi%2520Agus-62-64.pdf.

A. Anggreni, “Duolingo Application: Enriching Vocabulary Mastery Of EFL Students,” vol. 8, no. 3.

R. L. Nurjanah and M. R. A. Pratama, “Efektivitas Permainan Taboo Words dalam Meningkatkan Kemampuan Kosakata Mahasiswa Sastra Inggris Universitas Ngudi Waluyo,” Philosophica: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, dan Budaya, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 39–42, Dec. 2018, doi: 10.35473/po.v1i1.129.

N. V. Nguyen, “Using Word Games to Improve Vocabulary Retention in Middle School EFL Classes,” Proceedings of the AsiaCALL International Conference, vol. 621, pp. 97–108, Dec. 2021, doi: 10.2991/assehr.k.211224.011.

A. S. Nurfadilah, Safar, and A. Affandi, “Enhancing EFL Vocabulary Acquisition Through Gamification: Addressing Challenges and Boosting Retention | KARIWARI SMART : Journal of Education Based on Local Wisdom”, Accessed: Nov. 13, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://e-journal.iainfmpapua.ac.id/index.php/kariwarismart/article/view/1397?utm_source=chatgpt.com

K. V. E. Tefa, M. O. Billik, and Y. Olbata, “The Use of Taboo Game to Enrich Students’ Vocabulary in Junior High School,” Jurnal Edusaintek, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 20–29, July 2024.

Permatasari, D., Sari, Y., & Astuti, F. W., “Blindfold game in vocabulary mastery enhancement to Indonesian EFL young learners | Permatasari | EduLite: Journal of English Education, Literature and Culture”, Accessed: Nov. 02, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://jurnal.unissula.ac.id/index.php/edulite/article/view/38070?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A. Pratiwi, “Exploring Student’s Learning Enjoyment and Vocabulary Mastery in Digital Game-Based Learning Experience: A Narrative Inquiry | EDULANGUE”, Accessed: Nov. 13, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ftkjournal-uinmataram.id/index.php/edulangue/article/view/4743

N. Armelia, I. Sudarmarji, H. Nuraini, L. Forsia, and N. Nirmala, “Improving Students’ English Vocabulary Mastery Through the Learning Media ‘Card Games,’” Jurnal Basicedu, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 233–241, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.31004/basicedu.v8i1.6898.

M. A. Siregar and R. Fithriani, “Learning English Vocabulary with Taboo Game: A Case Study of Indonesian Junior High School Students,” Ethical Lingua: Journal of Language Teaching and Literature, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 10–21, 2023, doi: 10.30605/25409190.513.

S. dewi Nila sari and W. K. Sri Agung, “the Effectiveness of Taboo Game To Improve Students’ Vocabulary Mastery,” ELTALL: English Language Teaching, Applied Linguistic and Literature, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 88–98, 2023, doi: 10.21154/eltall.v4i02.7439.

W. Hanafiah, “Conventional Teaching and an Interactive-Based Teaching Methods to adjust Learners’ Grammar and Speaking Competence in English Classrooms: A Comparative Study for effectiveness methods in learning,” Eduvelop: Journal of English Education and Development, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 79–92, Sept. 2022, doi: 10.31605/eduvelop.v6i1.1957.

M. Hayati, “The Effect of Using PQ4R Method on Students Ability in Reading Comprehension at Eight Grade of SMP N 3 Satu Atap Pangkalan Susu,” BRIGHTVISION, vol. 1, no. 2, p. 310, Dec. 2021, doi: 10.30821/brightvision.v1i2.2940.

A. Bawamenewi, R. S. Handayani, K. Bate’e, and T. I. Gulo, “Comparative Analysis between Conventional Learning and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in the Aspect of Understanding Indonesian Vocabulary,” RETORIKA: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 497–502, July 2024, doi: 10.22225/jr.10.2.2024.497-502.

A.-A. Alqasham, F. H. S. A. A. M. H. ,., “Chinese-to-English Translation of Political Discourse: A Feature-Oriented Analysis – AWEJ.” Accessed: Nov. 02, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://awej.org/chinese-to-english-translation-of-political-discourse-a-feature-oriented-analysis/

A. Sitanggang and I. A. Nababan, “Games And Interactive Activities To Improving The Vocabulary Of SMP N 2 Bandar Students,” Journal Of Human And Education (JAHE), vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 1272–1277, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.31004/jh.v4i6.2093.

G. Alibakhshi, M. A. Zarei, and A. Labbafi, “Digital video games and Language Learners’ Vocabulary learning, motivation and engagement: Teachers’ perceptions of types and effectiveness,” Computer-Assisted Language Learning Electronic Journal, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 94–113, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.54855/callej.252616.

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2025-11-20

How to Cite

[1]
S. R. Oktaviani, A. Anggreni, A. Patmasari, and R. Rofiqoh, “Game-Based Instruction: The Impact of Taboo on Students’ Vocabulary Development”, J.Gen.Educ.Humanit., vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 2197–2206, Nov. 2025.

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 4 (2025): November

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of General Education and Humanities

Creative Commons License

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

Most read articles by the same author(s)

<< < 1 2