Wandi Wijaya - 15200010

William - 15200003

Board Games on ESL Learners: Students' competitiveness and retention

ABSTRACT

A board game is a game played across a board by two or more players. The board may
have designated markings and spaces, and board games may have tokens, stones, dice, cards, or
other pieces that are used in some way during play. Board games are certainly not a new invention.
Many scholars suggest that board games can positively influence learning outcomes when used
for educational purposes. English is a global language used not only at the elementary and junior
high school levels but also at the higher education level. School plays an important role in
influencing a second language mastery, especially English. However, most schools must consider
acquiring English from the learner's perspective fluency and the moves or approaches they can
take to enhance ESL learning among students. Games are one of the learning media that can help
or facilitate teachers in conveying subject matter so that students can easily digest it. ESL board
games are a great way for students to use a new language. Using board games in ESL has several
benefits, such as entertainment factors, cooperative learning, an authentic learning environment,
and improved communication skills. Also, board games apply to improve speaking skills and the
aspects namely; pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, fluency, and understanding. This can be
proven by the increase in the average student scores in the pretest and posttest. The purpose of this
study is to investigate the effectiveness of board games in speaking classes. However, students
also find it challenging to communicate consistently in English, and some need help with game-
based learning due to a lack of experience with board games. In conclusion, this research supports
implementing board games (particularly educational) into ESL education.
INTRODUCTION

Nurfaizah, Maksum, and Wardhani (2021) claim that board games are games that provide
recreational activities that are played in groups and can direct them to play competitively,
cooperatively and collaboratively. Board games can prohibit many things. One of them trains the
concentration and memory of children. In addition, board games can be used to train school
children to solve problems, think creatively and critically, and train strategies. The three aspects
included in a board game are visual (picture), auditory (discussion and question and answer), and
affective (attitude). The use of board games in learning is very effective. Therefore, researchers
want to develop a board game that can help increase students' interest in learning material. Another
study by Cahyaningtyastuti, Utami & Prestiliano (2020) found that Board games can be an
interactive, interesting, and fun medium to introduce and generate interest towards learning and
help improve thinking skills and promote cooperation and social skills.

Here are some examples of board games that can be used for learning English as a second
language (ESL). The first is Scrabble. This is a classic game that helps players improve their ability
to learn and use new words and strengthen their understanding of grammar and grammar. The
second is bananagrams, this is a fast-paced game that requires players to create a grid of letters to
form words and really helps players improve their speaking and thinking skills quickly in English.
The third is Taboo, in this game players must describe or explain words without using certain
words listed on the card. It helps players improve speaking skills and use words in different
contexts. The fifth example is Pictionary, in this game the players have to describe the given word
while their team tries to guess what they are trying to draw. It helps players improve speaking
skills and use words in different contexts. The last one is Monopoly, this game helps strengthen
speaking, vocabulary, and grammar skills. You can record the phrases and sentences you use when
talking to your opponent and try to improve them each time you play. All of these games offer a
fun way to learn English as a second language and help players continuously improve their skills.

Taba (2018) says that board games can be a method that offers many benefits for teachers
and students. The advantage of board games is that they involve students in learning English
because the games are fun and challenge them. Board games have been found to have many
benefits in language teaching including motivation and engagement Board games can be fun and
engaging, which can help students stay motivated and interested in learning. This study found that
when students play board games, they are more likely to use the target language and use it
spontaneously, which helps strengthen comprehension and retention of their new vocabulary.

Another study by Rijal (2018) found that board games can be used in language classes to
teach students to speak. One of the main objectives of teaching language is to equip students with
the ability to communicate in the target language. The use of board games in language learning
provides many benefits. One of them is that board games are flexible. Another benefit is that board
games can promote language learning through assignments. Task is defined here as an activity in
which the first, meaning is the main thing. Second, there is a communication problem of some
kind to solve and the Activity has some relation with real world activity. In conclusion, the use of
board games in language teaching can be a very effective tool for language acquisition and
vocabulary retention. This provides students with a fun and interesting way to practice language
skills and can increase motivation and engagement in the learning process as well. Board games
encourage students to interact and use the target language in a communicative setting. This can
help students to develop their speaking and listening skills, as well as to gain confidence in using
the language.

Dewi (2021) said that board games in ESL are a very effective use of things because they
can be done in groups and improve students' speaking skills. When using games, students have
interest and focus more on teaching itself. It helps teachers to make class fun and active. Not only
that, games are also a way to test students' brains and provide motivation. The use of board games
in ESL classes is very effective in helping students practice their speaking, reading, and creative
thinking skills. Students look very enthusiastic and do not feel pressured when playing board
games. Therefore, the use of board games can be a good alternative for teaching English to students
who do not have English as their first language. Also, Syakur (2020) stated that board games are
games that use English as a learning tool and provide a fun and interactive way to practice
vocabulary, grammar, listening and speaking skills. Students can improve their language skills and
with the help of board games, students can actively participate in the teaching and learning process.

A popular board game in ESL classrooms is “Pictionary and Taboo” Pictionary and Taboo
are popular board games used in ESL classrooms because they provide a fun and interactive way
for students to practice their English vocabulary, speaking, and listening skills. In Pictionary,
players take turns drawing to represent words or phrases, while other players try to guess the word.
In Taboo, players take turns describing a word without using certain forbidden words or phrases
while the other players try to guess what it is.

Mutiara (2023) states that pictionary games can be an excellent teaching technique or tool
to advance students' communication and their communicative thinking skills. It can be concluded
that the Pictionary game has advantages compared to other drawing game techniques, this
technique can increase student activity in class, therefore this game is very suitable for use as a
technique in learning, especially in teaching speaking. Meanwhile, Lumbangaol (2021) states that
Taboo games can train students' pronunciation and can activate student participation in class. The
repetition of each word is used by students to explain taboo words again to help them practice their
pronunciation. Most of the students in the class are enthusiastic about the game. This relates to
students' attitudes towards the application of game taboos related to their pronunciation and
vocabulary. These games are a great way to make learning English more fun and interesting for
students, as well as help them improve their vocabulary, speaking and listening skills. They also
encourage students to work together and think creatively, making them ideal tools to use in ESL
classes.

The use of board games in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes has been
extensively researched and has been shown to have several advantages. One advantage is that
board games provide a fun and engaging way for students to practice their language skills. They
can improve their vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation while having fun and interacting with
their classmates. This was proven in a study by Stefani, Setyorini and Susilawati (2019) who found
that students who played board games in class showed significant improvement in their language
skills compared to those who did not play the games.

Another advantage is that board games promote cooperative and collaborative learning. In
games, students must work together and communicate effectively to achieve common goals. This
helps build teamwork and social skills, as well as encourages students to use the target language
in communicative contexts. This was confirmed in a study by Maisarah (2014), who found that
using board games in ESL classes improved students' collaboration and communication skills.
Board games can also provide a low-stakes, low-pressure environment for language practice. In
games, students can make mistakes and learn from them without fear of being evaluated or judged
by their classmates or teachers. Overall, the use of board games in ESL classes offers several
advantages and can provide an effective and fun way for students to practice their language skills.