Wiralodra English Journal (WEJ)
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): Wiralodra English Journal

UTILIZING STORY-BASED MNEMONICS TO ENHANCE TWELFTH GRADE STUDENTS' MASTERY OF THE ACADEMIC WORD LIST

Anggun Trisnani (Hamzanwadi University)
Siti Ayu Surayya (Hamzanwadi University)
M. Junaidi Marzuki (Hamzanwadi University)
Yulia Agustina (Hamzanwadi University)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Sep 2026

Abstract

Despite growing interest in mnemonic strategies for vocabulary instruction, empirical evidence on the use of story-based mnemonics to develop Academic Word List (AWL) mastery in Indonesian secondary education remains limited. This study aims to examine the effect of the story-based mnemonic technique on twelfth-grade students’ mastery of the Academic Word List (AWL) at MA Al-Ijtihad Danger. This study employed a quantitative pre-experimental design using one group pre-test and post-test. The sample consisted of 30 students selected through random sampling. The instrument was 30-item AWL vocabulary test validated by experts and proven reliable (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.87). The treatment was conducted in four instructional meetings. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired samples t-test. The results showed that the mean score increased from 10.83 (SD = 2.97) in the pre-test to 18.70 (SD = 4.15) in the post-test. The paired-samples t-test revealed a significant difference (t = -16.68, p < 0.05), indicating that the story-based mnemonic technique significantly improved students’ mastery of the Academic Word List. These findings suggest that integrating academic vocabulary into meaningful narratives can serve as an effective and engaging instructional strategy for enhancing academic vocabulary development in senior high school EFL classrooms.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

wej

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

Wiralodra English Journal is published twice a year, in March and September. This journal welcomes articles in the form of research reports or library research on English Education, Linguistics, Literature, and Translation that have never been submitted for consideration nor published ...