The Influence of Word Square Game towards Students Vocabulary Mastery on Seventh Grade at SMPN 1 Tarakan
The research problem was the lack of English vocabulary mastery among seventh- grade students at SMPN 1 Tarakan. This study aimed to determine the effect of using the word square game on the vocabulary mastery of seventh-grade students at SMPN 1 Tarakan. This research used a pre-experimental method with a one- group pre-test and post-test design. A pre-test was given before the treatment to assess the students' initial vocabulary ability, while a post-test was given after the treatment to determine the student's final vocabulary ability. The research sample consisted of 30 students from class VII-11. The results showed a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores. The average pre-test score was 65.20, while the average post-test score was 77.86, yielding an average difference of 12.66 points. Based on the t-test analysis, the test result was 12.690, which was greater than the t-table value at a 5% significance level (0.05). This result indicated a significant effect of using the word square game on students' vocabulary mastery, leading to the acceptance of the alternative hypothesis (Ha) and the rejection of the null hypothesis (Ho). The researcher also found that students appeared enthusiastic about using the word square game in class. They participated in the teaching and learning process enthusiastically, resulting in an improvement from poor to good categories in each session. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the word square game can enhance the vocabulary mastery of seventh-grade students in class VII-11 at SMPN 1 Tarakan.