Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2226-6348

The Impact of Utilising Quizlet Flashcards to Enhance EFL Senior High School Students’ Vocabulary Acquisition

Syahwil Saputra, Mohd Haniff Mohd Tahir

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v14-i3/26311

Open access

This study investigated the effect of Quizlet Flashcards (QFs) on the lexical comprehension of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) secondary school students. Sixty tenth-grade pupils from two senior high schools in Banda Aceh were assigned to treatment and comparison groups using a non-probability sampling approach. A quasi-experimental design was applied, with both groups completing initial and subsequent assessments to measure vocabulary comprehension gains. Data were analysed using independent and paired sample t-tests, supplemented by descriptive statistics and percentage improvement scores. Findings revealed statistically significant improvements in both groups: treatment (t=19.284, df=29, p<.05) and comparison (t=9.391, df=29, p<.05). The treatment group’s mean improvement was 12 points higher than that of the comparison group, indicating a stronger learning effect when QFs were integrated into vocabulary instruction. This enhanced retention is attributed to QFs’ interactive and multimodal features, which facilitated repeated exposure and active recall. The results provide empirical support for incorporating QFs into EFL vocabulary teaching to achieve greater lexical comprehension gains. The study contributes to the growing body of evidence on QFs as an effective tool for improving vocabulary learning in secondary school contexts.

Aisiyah, A. A. N., Mulyadi, D., Budiastuti, R. E., Wijayatiningsih, T., & Singh, C. K. S. (2024). Enhancing Vocabulary Mastery in Narrative Text through Wordwall Game. ETERNAL (English Teaching Journal), 15 (2), 309-319.
Al-Malki, M. A. (2020). Quizlet: An online application to enhance EFL foundation students’ vocabulary acquisition at Rustaq College of Education, Oman. Arab World English Journal, 6 (6), 332–343. https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call6.22
Alwasilah, C. A. (2001). Empowering college students’ writers through collaboration. TEFLIN Journal, 12 (1). 26-38. https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v12i1/1-14
Ashcroft, R. J., Cvitkovic, R. & Praver, M. (2018). Digital flashcard L2 Vocabulary learning out-performs traditional flashcards at lower proficiency levels: A mixed-methods study of 139 Japanese university students. The EuroCALL Review, 26 (1), 14-28. https://doi.org/10.4995/eurocall.2018.7881
Baker, K. L. (1994). Patterns of L2 vocabulary development among ESL adults. Oklahoma State University.https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/patterns-l2-vocabulary-development-among-esl/docview/304507812/se-2?accountid=13155
Churches, A. (2008). Bloom’s digital taxonomy. Tech & Learning. Retrieved from https://edorigami.edublogs.org/files/2008/08/bloom-digital-taxonomy-v3-01.pdf
Craik, F. I. M., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(6), 671–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5371(72)80001-X
Dooly, M., & O’Dowd, R. (Eds.). (2018). In this together: Teachers’ experiences with transnational, telecollaborative language learning projects. Peter Lang. https://doi.org/10.3726/b13283
Chua, Y. P. (2012). Mastering research method. Shah Alam: McGraw-Hill.
Cohen, A. D., & Manion, L. (1994). Research methods in education (4th ed.). London and New York: Routledge.
Dizon, G., & Tang, D. (2017). Comparing the efficacy of digital flashcards versus paper flashcards to improve receptive and productive L2 vocabulary. The EuroCALL Review, 25 (1), 3-15. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1154334.pdf
Komari, K., Suryanto, S., & Hanum, U. (2022). English vocabulary learning strategies of university students in Papua. Englisia, 10 (1), 67-87. http://repository.ustj.ac.id/id/eprint/90/
Kose, T., Cimen, E., & Mede, E. (2016). Perceptions of EFL learners about using an online tool for vocabulary learning in EL classrooms. Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 232, 362-372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.10.051
Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Pergamon. https://doi.org/10.2307/3586656
Lauer, J. (2004). How computers are improving English education in Japan. Hiroshima Studies in Language and Language Education, 7, 25-38. https://doi.org/10.15027/15392
Lees, D., & Mcnee, G. (2015). Effects and impressions of digital vocabulary-learning vs. paper-based vocabulary-learning: A small-scale longitudinal study. Hyogo: Kwansei Gakuin University Press. https://kwansei.repo.nii.ac.jp
Leighton, K., Kardong-Edgren, S., Schneidereith, T., & Foisy-Doll, C. (2021). Using social media and snowball sampling as an alternative recruitment strategy for research. The Journal of Clinical simulation in Nursing, 55, 37-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2021.03.006
Mayer, R. E. (2009). Multimedia learning (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511811678
Muhamad, M., & Kiely, R. (2018). Understanding teachers' pedagogical knowledge in ESL vocabulary teaching. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 7 (1), 36-47.
Mustafa, F. (2019). English vocabulary size of Indonesian high school graduates: Curriculum expectation and reality. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 3 (2), 357-371. https://www.ijeltal.org/index.php/ijeltal/article/view/278
Nation, I. (2006). How large a vocabulary is needed for reading and listening? Canadian modern language review, 63 (1), 59-82. https://doi.org/10.3138/cmlr.63.1.59
Saputra, S., Tahir, M. H. M., Albakri, I. S. M. A., Zaini, K., Mokhtar, M. M., Ismail, N., Anisaturrahmi, & Sholihah, S. Z. (2023). Online learning experiences for speaking activities among Malaysian undergraduate ESL students. World Journal of English Language,13 (7), 355-366. https://doi.org/10.5430/wjel.v13n7p355
Setiawan, M. R., & Wiedarti, P. (2020). The effectiveness of Quizlet application towards students’ motivation in learning vocabulary. Studies in English Language and Education, 7 (1), 83-95. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v7i1.15359
Sitorus, J. S. (2021). Improving students’ vocabulary mastery through the utilization of Quizlet application at the tenth grade of MAS Ibadurrahman in 2020/2021 academic year. https://.www.jurnaltarbiyah.uinsu.ac.id/index.php/brightvision/article/view/2887.htl
Skulmowski, A., & Xu, K. M. (2022). Understanding cognitive load in digital and online learning: A new perspective on extraneous cognitive load. Educational Psychology Review, 34 (1), 171-196. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10648-021-09624-7
Sukying, A. (2018). Investigating receptive and productive affix knowledge in EFL learners. TESOL International Journal, 12 (3), 56-68. https://rb.gy/1bvcwg
Sukying, A. (2020). Word knowledge through morphological awareness in EFL learners. TESOL International Journal, 15 (1), 74-85. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1257212.pdf
Sweller, J. (1994). Cognitive load theory, learning difficulty, and instructional design. Learning and Instruction, 4(4), 295–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/0959-4752(94)90003-5
Tahir, M. H. M., Shah, D. S. M., Shak, M. S. Y., Albakri, I. S. M. A., & Adnan, A. H. M. (2021). Explicit vocabulary instruction: Effects of vocabulary learning on form two ESL learners. Studies in English Language and Education, 8 (3), 1227-1247. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v8i3.19539
Waluyo, B., & Bucol, J. L. (2021). The impact of gamified vocabulary learning using Quizlet on low-proficiency students. Computer-Assisted Language Learning, 22 (1), 158-179. https://rb.gy/mu1o12
Yüksel, H. G., Mercano?lu, H. G., & Y?lmaz, M. B. (2022). Digital flashcards vs. wordlists for learning technical vocabulary. Computer Assisted Language Learning Journal, 35 (8), 2001-2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1854312
Zulkepli, N., Tajuddin, S. N. A. A., Atan, A., & Khaja, F. N. M. (2018). A study on autonomous use of technology for language learning among ESL learners at tertiary level. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8 (11), 1093-1107.

Saputra, S., & Tahir, M. H. M. (2025). The Impact of Utilising Quizlet Flashcards to Enhance EFL Senior High School Students’ Vocabulary Acquisition. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 14(3), 1541–1553.