Jurnal Celtic
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025): December 2025

Students’ perceptions of vocabulary recall and engagement in Wordwall-based gamified learning

Elma Ziyadatil Ulya (English Education Department, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, UIN Walisongo Semarang, Indonesia)
Nadiah Ma'mun (English Education Department, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, UIN Walisongo Semarang, Indonesia)
Nuna Mustikawati Dewi (English Education Department, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, UIN Walisongo Semarang, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Dec 2025

Abstract

This study explores students’ perceptions of Wordwall-based gamified learning during four consecutive recount-text vocabulary lessons in a junior high school EFL classroom. The research was motivated by the need to make vocabulary learning more engaging while supporting students perceived ability to recall targeted words. Using a quantitative descriptive design, data were collected from twenty-nine ninth-grade students through a 25-item self-developed questionnaire grounded in theoretical dimensions of behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement. No vocabulary pre- or post-test was used; therefore, all findings reflect students’ self-reported experiences rather than objective retention. The results showed consistently high mean scores across the three engagement dimensions and indicated that students perceived Wordwall as enjoyable, motivating, and supportive of their vocabulary recall. Repetition, instant feedback, and interactive game features made vocabulary practice more meaningful from the learners’ perspective. This study contributes classroom-based evidence on multidimensional engagement in Wordwall-integrated EFL lessons and highlights the potential of gamified learning tools to create active and student-centered vocabulary instruction when used purposefully.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

celtic

Publisher

Subject

Description

CELTIC is published twice a year, in June and December. This journal welcomes articles in the form of research reports or library research on Literature (English), Linguistics (English, Indonesian), Culture (English, Indonesia) and Teaching (English, ...