Integrating Memrise Application in Enhancing Student’s Vocabullary Mastery - Literature Revew

 

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Chapter II
Literature Review

In this chapter, a literature review that is relevant to the topic of vocabulary mastery in English language learning will be reviewed. In addition, it will also look for sources that provide insight into the use of technology in language teaching, particularly the use of memrise applications to improve students' vocabulary mastery.

2.1 Vocabulary Mastery in English  Learning

In English language learning, one of the important aspects is vocabulary acquisition. This applies to both EFL and ESL learners as a fundamental aspect of mastering a language (Rashid, M. H., 2022). Vocabulary mastery has a significant influence on students' language skills. This also includes students' level of understanding of learning materials as well as students' language skills such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking (Yolcu, M., & Mirioglu, M., 2020). Research has also proven that students will understand texts more easily if they have a lot of vocabulary. In addition, vocabulary mastery is also closely related to communication skills (Wardana, I. K., 2023). Thus, in-depth exploration is needed to find the right learning methods and strategies to improve the effectiveness of learning, especially vocabulary mastery.

2.2 Utilization of Technology in Language Teaching (MALL)

Integrasi teknologi dalam pengajaran bahasa, yang dikenal sebagai Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL), telah menawarkan berbagai peluang inovatif untuk meningkatkan pengalaman belajar siswa (Kukulska-Hulme et al., 2009). Mobile-Assisted Language Learning or better known as MALL in its utilization has offered to improve students' learning experience. Various facilities and learning methods are also integrated with MALL so that many gaps can be explored and utilized (Sahril, S., et al.. 2022). Many features are offered in the integration of MALL in language learning. Instant feedback, engaging learning materials, gamification, as well as mulitimedia make the integration of MALL in learning has great potential to increase the effectiveness of vocabulary learning in students.

2.3 Memrise as a Vocabulary Learning Application

A MALL-based app, Memrise is an English learning platform that offers engaging learning materials and methods. Features that can be accessed from this application include interesting learning with the vocabulary drill method. In addition, users are also invited to apply the vocabulary learned so that it makes it easier for users to understand the vocabulary learned. In addition, there are video snippets of native speaker conversations that can be used to practice pronounciation and new vocabulary. Some studies state that the use of memrise in learning has a positive significance for increasing students' vocabulary acquisition. As explained by Nuralisah, A. S., & Kareviati, E., (2020), that the use of memrise has a positive impact on student vocabulary acquisition.

2.4 Research on the Effectiveness of Memrise in Improving Students' Vocabulary

Memrise has been studied extensively for its role in improving vocabulary acquisition, with mixed results influenced by contextual factors. For example, eighth grade students showed a significant increase in vocabulary scores from 69.11 (pre-test) to 87.00 (post-test) after using Memrise, which was supported by strong statistical significance (t-test: 11.128 > t-table: 1.699) (Zuniati et al., 2023). Similarly, students in agricultural studies experienced an increase in mean score from 60.45 to 85.27 (Fadhilawati, 2016). A gender gap is also evident, with female students outperforming male students (95.40 vs. 89.00) in vocabulary acquisition (Taebenu et al., 2021). However, technological limitations, such as poor internet access, hindered effectiveness in vocational schools, resulting in a negligible difference between the experimental group (59.8) and the control group (59.6) (Tyas & Nurdiawati, 2020). Memrise's gamification approach also improves motivation and memorization efficiency (Nuralisah & Kareviati, 2022), although its success depends on institutional support and infrastructure (Aprizal & Wachyudi, 2024).

2.5 Research Gap and Article Focus

With the initial literature review, it is necessary to investigate further the degree to which the Memrise app contributes to students' vocabulary learning in various learning settings. This narrative literature review paper aims to fill the gap by compiling, synthesizing, and reviewing the current studies in order to provide a better picture of the potential and pitfalls of employing Memrise to improve the vocabulary of the students.