Improving Students’ Vocabulary by Using Crossword Puzzle Games in Eighth Grade SMPN 1 Watang Pulu

Sep 29, 2026

Crossword Puzzle Games provide question cues and word phrases that students use to fill blank boxes, combining structured tasks with enjoyable learning. This quasi-experimental study investigates vocabulary mastery in eighth grade students of SMPN 1 Watang Pulu for the 2021/2022 academic year. The experimental group used Crossword Puzzle Games and the control group used Word Searches. Results show improved vocabulary mastery for the crossword group, supported by pre-treatment scores and higher average achievement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background of English vocabulary learning

Rationale for using educational games

Purpose and research title

Method

Research design and quasi-experimental procedure

Participants and grouping

Treatment and meeting schedule

Improving Students’ Vocabulary by Using Crossword Puzzle Games in Eighth Grade SMPN 1 Watang Pulu Rizki Tri Ananda, Patahuddin, Amir Patintingan Universitas Muhammadiyah Parepare [rizkitrichittapon02@gmail.com](rizkitrichittapon02@gmail.com) ABSTRACT Crossword Puzzle Games provides a number of questions or word phrases as a key to fill in a series of blank boxes that are designed in such a way. Crosword Puzzle can be used as a good games and fun learning without losing the essence of learning. The researcher applied a quasi-experimental method in this research. For the population, SMPN 1 Watangpulu has 210 students in eighth grade which is divided into 7 classes. Then, with 27 students in class VIII D as the experimental class and 19 in class VIII C asthe control class. The results showed an improvement in the vocabulary mastery of students who used the Crossword Puzzle Games compared to students who used the Word Searches game. This was evidenced by the average score of students before treatment was the experimental class obtained 42.85 and the mean score of class control was 45.26. So, it can be concluded that applied the Crossword Puzzleis an effective to improving students’ vocabulary mastery in Eighth grade of SMPN 1 Watangpulu for the 2021/2022 academic year. Keyword: Crossword Puzzle, Games, Vocabulary, Memorizing. ABSTRAK Permainan Teka Teki Silang menyediakan sejumlah pertanyaan atau kalimat kata sebagai kunci untuk mengisi rangkaian kotak kosong yang didesain sedemikian rupa. Permainan Teka Teki Silang dapat dijadikan sebagai permainan belajar yang baik dan menyenangkan tanpa menghilangkan esensi dari pembelajaran. Peneliti menerapkan metode kuasi eksperimen dalam penelitian ini. Untuk populasi, SMPN 1 Watangpulumemiliki 210 siswa kelas VIII yang terbagi menjadi 7 kelas. Kemudian, dengan 27 siswadi kelas VIII D sebagai kelas eksperimen dan 19 siswa di kelas VIII C sebagai kelas control. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya peningkatan penguasaan kosakata siswayang menggunakan Crossword Puzzle Games dibandingkan dengan siswa yang menggunakan permainan Word Searches. Hal ini dibuktikan dengan skor rata-rata siswasebelum perlakuan kelas eksperimen diperoleh 42,85 dan skor rata-rata kelas kontrol 45,26 . Jadi, dapat disimpulkan bahwa penerapan Permainan Teka Teki Silang merupakan permainan yang efektif untuk meningkatkan penguasaan kosakata siswa kelas VIII SMPN 1 Watangpulu tahun pelajaran 2021/2022 . Kata Kunci: Teka-Teki Silang, Permainan, Kosakata, Menghafal. Introduction In practice, English lessons are give at every level of the educational process from elementary school to university level. Many children think that English is a difficult subject for them because they have to be able to master reading, writing, and listening. English is a language that can be used for oral and written communication. In addition to serving as a tool in improving interpersonal interactions, exchanging information, and appreciating the aesthetics of language in English culture, English serves as a means of communication for accessing information. It goes without saying that pupils must acquire language in order to grasp reading, writing, and listening. Learning English words is one aspect of learning a language. A language's vocabulary is its body of words or grammatical constructions. A person's vocabulary is defined as the set of all words understood by others or all words that are possible for people to construct new sentences. Vocabulary richness is generally considered to be a reflection of intelligence. Understanding one vocabulary is considered an important part of the process of learning a language or developing students' abilities or skills in learning English which is a foreign language for all students and the Indonesian people. If students have adequate English vocabulary, it will automatically more helpful in English empathy competence, and vice versa without having an adequate vocabulary students

FAQs

What learning approach does the study evaluate to improve vocabulary?

The study evaluates Crossword Puzzle Games as an educational media for improving students’ vocabulary mastery, compared with Word Searches.

How is the research designed and conducted?

The research uses a quasi-experimental method with six meetings: a pretest, treatment sessions, and a final meeting to conclude the study.

What evidence supports the effectiveness of Crossword Puzzle Games?

The results indicate higher vocabulary mastery improvement in the crossword group, supported by average scores and comparison with the control group’s results.

Sep 29, 2026

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