The Role of Visual Aids in Gaining Vocabulary: The Case of A1 Level EFL Students of AMA Foundation School Ghardaia

Abstract

The present study examines the role of visual aids in gaining vocabulary among English language learners. To reach this claim, (15) students of A1 level learners at AMA Foundation Private School in Ghardaia were chosen as participants of this study. on the effect of the independent variable “using visual aids” whereas the dependent variable “vocabulary gaining”. The data gathering tools used to carry out this investigation were a pre-test, a post-test, classroom observation, and teachers’ interviews. Firstly, a pre-test consisting of different vocabulary activities was done to the selected learners in order to evaluate their vocabulary level before the treatment. Then, the learners received treatment through the use of various kinds of visual aids such as pictures, flashcards, videos, handouts, gestures, and slides during several classroom sessions (6 sessions). After the treatment period, a post-test was administered to the same learners to measure their vocabulary improvement after using visual aids. After collecting and analyzing the obtained results, it was deduced that visual aids had a positive and significant effect on learners’ vocabulary acquisition regarding their improved performance in the post-test. In addition, the teachers’ interviews proved that visual aids enhance learners’ motivation, participation, comprehension, memorization, pronunciation, and classroom interaction. The findings also revealed a significant difference between the learners’ pre-test and post-test results. Therefore, the study validated the research hypothesis and confirmed that visual aids are an effective teaching tool for improving vocabulary acquisition among beginner learners.