Enhancing Elementary Students’ Vocabulary Mastery through Duolingo: A pre- Experimental Study

Abstract

Language learning is crucial for understanding diverse cultures and academic disciplines, with vocabulary mastery being essential for effective communication. This study examines the effectiveness of Duolingo in improving vocabulary proficiency among fourth-grade students at SD Muhammadiyah 11 Randegan. Despite the increasing integration of technology in education, there remains a knowledge gap in understanding the impact of such tools on young learners’ vocabulary acquisition. Addressing this gap, the research aims to assess Duolingo’s impact on vocabulary mastery in an elementary school setting. Employing a pre-experimental design, the study involved 21 students who participated in pre-tests and post-tests surrounding a treatment period using Duolingo. The pre-test assessed the students' initial vocabulary knowledge, followed by three treatment sessions using Duolingo, and concluded with a post-test to measure vocabulary improvement. Statistical analysis using the paired sample t-test revealed a significant increase in vocabulary scores, with the mean score rising from 75.71 in the pre-test to 88.33 in the post-test. The results indicate that Duolingo effectively enhances vocabulary mastery, as evidenced by the significant improvement in test scores. The study highlights Duolingo's potential to engage students through interactive learning, making it a valuable tool for vocabulary acquisition in elementary education. The implications of this research suggest that integrating technology-based learning media like Duolingo can significantly improve language abilities, providing educators with innovative methods to support young learners' language development. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects of using such applications across different age groups and educational contexts.