THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL GAMES IN ENHANCING STUDENTS’ ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS

Abstract

This study explores the role of traditional games as a pedagogical strategy to enhance students’ English language skills in primary and secondary education. The research emphasizes how cultural-based learning activities, such as traditional games, can increase students’ engagement, vocabulary acquisition, and communicative competence. Using a qualitative descriptive method, this study involved classroom observations and interviews with English teachers in Palembang, Indonesia. The findings reveal that integrating traditional games into English learning can foster students’ motivation, collaborative skills, and contextual understanding of language use. The results support the idea that traditional games can serve as a bridge between local culture and global communication, making English learning more meaningful and enjoyable.