Games for Teaching Hiligaynon Vocabulary on Grade 2 Learners

Abstract

Games have universal appeal. They can be used for learners in all levels. Educational games are ideal for engaging learners with subject content since most of them think these games are fun and very helpful. In fact, faculty in the school of Nursing at the University of Michigan said that learners find games very helpful for studying. Games can test deeper levels of understanding than just knowledge repetition, as long as the questions or items require some application or synthesis (Derakshan, 2015).

 Games are built to teach and to assert through performance. In addition, games demand mastery and continuous improvement in pursuit of winning the game. They can provide the context and action for content knowledge in a situated context. Moreover, fair competition in games can generate many good things: excitement, determination, independence, and challenge. Children can learn the essence of true sportsmanship if they are always engaging in different game activities in school and with their own families and friends. Game programs also promote the idea that game rules can be changed to fit the players’ needs for fairness, harmony, and equality; thus, it is also possible to modify most of the games so that learners practice the same skills but work cooperatively (Delgado, 2008).

One of the objectives of vocabulary instruction is to help students develop an appreciation for words and to experience enjoyment and satisfaction in their use. This could be attained by having fun with words. Learners play word games linked to content topics and those that may be done purely for entertainment and enjoyment (Baumann, Kame’enui, and Ash, 2003).

Based on the result of the district reading assessment conducted last school year, and the pretest of the assessment for vocabulary development in Hiligaynon of Grade 2 learners, the result was low. Grade 2 learners got low regarding their performance level in Hiligaynon vocabulary. Out of 54 learners, 36 or 67% are at the average level. Based on the interview, their adviser clarified that most learners find their mother tongue a hard subject. This is the reason why researcher wants to conduct this study. It aims to address the learners' needs and find out if games can be beneficial in improving Hiligaynon vocabulary abilities.