Using Wordsift as a Tool to Teach Vocabulary in EFL Classrooms

Abstract

This study explores the effectiveness of one of the special web services, WordSift, which was used as a digital educational tool to teach vocabulary to 25 prep class students studying at a state university in Turkey. The treatment of the study took two weeks, which include one week of teacher-directed vocabulary teaching method without using a technological tool, and one week of technology-enhanced vocabulary teaching methodology in which the WordSift was utilized. Two vocabulary quizzes administered in the following week after each method was implemented. After obtaining the students' grades from the quizzes the results were analyzed qualitatively by comparing the two different approaches in vocabulary teaching and semi-structured interviews were conducted both with the teacher and the students to find out about their thoughts following the two-week period of various vocabulary teaching activities. The data obtained from the comments of the students and the teacher were also analyzed qualitatively. Hopefully, this research will provide English teachers with an understanding of the effects of using different techniques to teach vocabulary and integrating a technological tool to teach vocabulary.