Enhancing the Vocabulary Mastery of Eleventh Grade Students of Senior High School Through Digital Image Media

Authors

  • Salsabillah Putri Kinanti English Education, University of Muhammadiyah Purworejo, Indonesia
  • Juita Triana English Education, University of Muhammadiyah Purworejo, Indonesia
  • Zulia Chasanah English Education, University of Muhammadiyah Purworejo, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v14i1.10459

Keywords:

digital image media; vocabulary mastery; English language learning; pre-experimental design; SMA Negeri 4 Purworejo.

Abstract

Mastering vocabulary is an important component of learning English, but many learners still face constant developmental barriers. While digital image media is widely recognized, previous research by Ra et al., (2022) and Aulia et al. (2025). It focuses heavily on static print visuals or standard global materials, leaving a critical research gap on how local digital visuals enhance vocabulary learning. As a new view of the use of vocabulary teaching media, this study attempts to apply the integration of contextual digital imagery with Indonesian folklore. To overcome these problems, this study aims to examine the impact of digital images on students' vocabulary mastery. The research approach used is quantitative with a pre-experimental design through a pretest-posttest group method. The participants of this study were 36 students from class XI of SMA Negeri 4 Purworejo. The data collection tool was in the form of vocabulary paper tests given before and after treatment, analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired sample t tests. Empirical results showed a significant improvement in average scores, jumping dramatically from 47.11 in the pre-test to 88.44 in the post-test. Analysis of the paired sample t-test confirmed a very significant statistical difference (t = -12.45, p = 0.000 < 0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that digital imagery has a positive and significant impact on students' vocabulary mastery, and has proven to be an effective teaching tool in the context of English language education. Structurally, these findings offer important practical implications for EFL teachers, suggesting that integrating culturally familiar visual media can systematically lower language anxiety and successfully improve overall classroom vocabulary competence.

 

References

Alshumrani, HA (2024). Uncovering the teaching and learning beliefs of teacher and student vocabulary in the context of EFL. Asia-Pacific Journal of Second Language and Foreign Language Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-023-00242-0

Aulia, A.F., Aruan, R.R., Riau, A., Info, A., & History, A. (2025). The Influence of Image Media on Student Vocabulary. 8, 8121–8125.

Baran, ML (2022). Mixed method research design. In the Anthology of research on innovative research methodologies and utilization in various disciplines (pp. 312–333). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.

Chong, S.W. (2023). Ecological systems theory and second language research. 333–348. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444822000283

Field, A. (2024). Find statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. Sage publications are limited.

Galloway, N., & Rose, H. (2024). Global English Teaching: Bridging the research-practice gap and uniting calls for change through a broader paradigm. In Routledge's Handbook of Teaching English as an International Language (pp. 153–166). Routledge.

Graham, S. (2020). Reading and writing must become more fully integrated. Reading Research Quarterly, 55(S1), S35–S44. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.332

Idayani, A., & Sailun, B. (2024). Difficulties for Students with Vocabulary Mastery in English Education at the University Level. 11(2), 120–134.

J. David Creswell. (2017). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches.

Ju Seong Lee. (2026). Informal Digital Learning in English.

Kapten, C. (2024). The importance of vocabulary and grammar to measure readability and language level. 5(2), 141–154. https://doi.org/10.51454/jet.v5i2.393

Mayer, RE (2021). Multimedia learning (3rd edition). University of Cambridge.

Mayer, R.E. (2024). The Past, Present, and Future of Multimedia Learning Cognitive Theory. Review of Educational Psychology, 36(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-023-09842-1

Bangsa, ISP (2022). Learn vocabulary in other languages. Cambridge University Press.

Nuryadi, N., Astuti, T. D., Utami, E. S., & Budiantara, M. (2017). Fundamentals of research statistics. Yogyakarta: Sibuku Media, 27–28.

Paivio, A. (2006). No title. 1–20.

Baker, E. (2017). Self-Regulation Learning Review: Six Models and Four Directions for Research. 8 (April), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00422

Ra, D., Na, T., & Trang, NH (2022). Effect of using Images o n Vocabulary Retention of EFL Students. 13(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.55217/103.v13i1.555

Rashid, H., & Hui, W. (2022). The Importance of Vocabulary in Teaching and Learning in Applied Linguistics. 6 (March), 1548–1557.

Rcla, C. (2023). CJAL*RCLA Book Review*115 Book Review. 1 (2020), 115–117.

Richards, J., Renandya, W., & Farajnezhad, Z. (2022). Methodology in Language Teaching: An Anthology of Current Practice by Jack C. Richards & Willy A. Renandya. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36344.72962

S Thornbury. (2022). Tips for Teaching Vocabulary.

Sae, F. N., Lawe, Y. U., Ngurah, D., Laksana, L., Raga, B., Guru, P., Dasar, S., & Bakti, S. C. (2024). Scientific Journal of Education Citra Bakti. 11, 563–574.

Swelling, J. (2020). Cognitive load theory and educational technology. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(1), 1–16.

Webb, S., & Nation, ISP (2017). (2017). How vocabulary is learned.

Zain, R. F., Andriany, L., Profession, P., Prajabatan, G., Islam, U., Utara, S., Medan, K., Utara, S., Digital, A., & Zain, R. F. (2024). The Utilization of Digital Applications in Improving 21st Century Competencies in PPKn Learning at SMA Negeri 13 Medan. 2(2), 1234–1242.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-23

Citation Check