The effects of flashcards-assisted substitution drills on EFL students’ vocabulary mastery: A quasi-experimental study in a junior secondary school

Lambreta Alya Rani Fitria; Fenty Andriani

doi:10.18860/jetle.v8i1.42801

The effects of flashcards-assisted substitution drills on EFL students’ vocabulary mastery: A quasi-experimental study in a junior secondary school

Lambreta Alya Rani Fitria, Fenty Andriani

Abstract

Vocabulary mastery is a key element in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning, underpinning all four language skills. However, students at SMP Negeri 2 Babadan Ponorogo still face difficulties in retaining and applying vocabulary due to conventional, rote-memorization-based instruction. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Substitution Drill Technique using flashcards in improving students’ vocabulary mastery. A quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group was employed. The students of SMP Negeri 2 Babadan Ponorogo in academic year 2025/2026. Based on the 72 Year 8 students, 48 students from two full classes were purposively selected according to their availability within the timetable. Class VIII A (24 students) was selected as the experimental group, whilst Class VIII B (24 students) was selected as the control group. The experimental group was given Substitution Drill Technique using flashcards and the control group was given translation-based vocabulary technique using infographic media. Pre-test and post-test scores were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21. In the experimental group the mean score improved from 47.12 to 64.46, and in the control group it went from 49.71 to 58.58. The mean N-Gain scores were 32.36 and 13.11 respectively. An independent-samples t-test comparing N-Gain scores between the experimental and control groups showed a statistically significant difference (t = 2.547, df = 46, p = .014). Because this is a quasi-experimental design and single school, the finding should be read as evidence that there was a significant difference between groups and not as proof of causality.

Keywords

vocabulary mastery; substitution drill technique; flashcards

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/jetle.v8i1.42801