ENHACING VOCABULARY ACQUISITION THROUGH TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE AND DIGITAL MEDIA: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON YOUNG LEARNERS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31851/vdkzgt42Keywords:
Vocabulary Acquisition, Total Physical Response, Digital Media, Young learnersAbstract
This research examines the extent to which the integration of physical movement and interactive digital media enhances young learners’ vocabulary acquisition, retention, and comprehension. Employing a descriptive qualitative design, the study was carried out at an Islamic kindergarten, RA Mina Jadid, involving fifteen students aged 5–6 years from Class B. Data were collected through systematic classroom observations, in-depth teacher interviews, and analysis of students’ vocabulary assessment outcomes. The findings indicate that the implementation of Total Physical Response (TPR), when supported by stimulating digital resources such as educational videos, interactive games, and visual materials, substantially improved learners’ motivation, active engagement, and vocabulary mastery. The study concludes that the synergistic combination of TPR and digital media constitutes an effective, engaging, and developmentally appropriate strategy for vocabulary instruction among early childhood learners.
References
Al-Farisi, N. A., Mubarok, I., Yuliawati, F., Slamet, & Jusak, M. (2025). The implementation of Total Physical Response method with pictures to enhance students’ vocabulary and creativity. Journal of Studies in Academic, Humanities, Research, and Innovation, 2(1), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.71305/sahri.v2i1.160
Almusharraf, N. (2021). Perceptions and application of learner autonomy for vocabulary development in saudi efl classrooms. International Journal of Education and Practice, 9(1), 13–36. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.61.2021.91.13.36
Alqahtani, M. (2019). The effectiveness of using multimedia in teaching vocabulary. Arab World English Journal, 10(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol10no1.1
Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., Sorensen, C., & Razavieh, A. (2019). Introduction to research in education (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Askhatova A. (2020). Pedagogical Sciences Importance of Vocabulary and Spoken Grammar in Teaching Spontaneous Speaking Skill. Sciences of Europe #, 49.
Azhar, K. A., & Iqbal, N. (2021). Digital learning tools and vocabulary acquisition in early education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 16(12), 45–52.
Cameron, L. (2021). Teaching Languages to Young Learners. Cambridge University Press.
Celik, T. I., Cay, T., & Kanadli, S. (2021). The Effect of Total Physical Response Method on Vocabulary Learning/Teaching: A Mixed Research Synthesis. English Language Teaching, 14(12), 154. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v14n12p154
Fitriani, L. (2022). Improving vocabulary mastery through Total Physical Response method in kindergarten. Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 13(1), 55–63.
Hapsari, A. (2020). Animated TPR video in teaching English vocabulary for young learners. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature, 15(2), 157–164.
He, R., Xu, W., Dong, D., & Yu, Z. (2024). A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Interactive Technologies on Language Education. International Journal of Adult Education and Technology, 15(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijaet.340933
Jaya, A., Hartono, R., Wahyuni, S., & Yulianto, H. J. (2025). Los efectos de la estrategia de aprendizaje basado en proyectos con actividad física en función del género sobre el rendimiento escolar y la confianza en sí mismos de los estudiantes. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias En Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación, 66, 349–360. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v66.110067
Jazila, I. N., & Megawati, F. (2024). Using the Total Physical Response method to improve young learners’ perceptions of vocabulary mastery. Pubmedia Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, 1(4), 13. https://doi.org/10.47134/jpbi.v1i4.692
Miles, M. ., & Huberman, A. . (2019). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
Moleong, L. J. (2021). Metodologi penelitian kualitatif (Edisi revisi). PT Remaja Rosdakarya.
Munir, A., & Auliya, R. (2023). Teacher perceptions on TPR-based digital learning in early English instruction. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 12(1), 78–89.
Na, M., Jill, L. S. S., Noor, H. M., Qi, F. J., & Ying, W. (2024). A Pre-service Art Teacher Digital Literacy Framework for Digital Literacy in Pre-Service Art Teacher Education in China. Asian Journal of University Education, 20(2), 235–247. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v20i2.27007
Nasution, P. S., Daulay, S. H., & Santoso, D. (2024). Improving Students’ Vocabulary Mastery Through Riddle Game. Tell-Us Journal, 9(4), 1072–1084. https://doi.org/10.22202/tus.2023.v9i4.7603
Nation, I. S. . (2022). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009093873
Nation, I. S. ., & Waring, R. (2019). Teaching Extensive Reading in Another Language (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367809256
Neuman, W. L. (2019). Social research methods: Qualitative and Quantitative approaches. In Pearson (Seventh Ed). Pearson New International Edition. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Social-Research-Methods-Quantitative/dp/0205786839/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1461496914&sr=1-5&keywords=social+research+methods+qualitative+and+quantitative+approaches
Nunan, D. (2023). Practical English Language Teaching: Young Learners. McGraw-Hill.
Nurzama, I., Gandana, G., & Wahidah, A. S. (2019). Developing Interactive Storytelling Model to Facilitate Young Learners’ Speaking Skills. International Journal of Elementary Education, 2(1).
Olsson, A., & Tbena, A. (2023). Physically oriented learning meets vocabulary acquisition and motivation: how the ESL classroom can combine with PE through cross-curricular collaboration. DIVA. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1731436&dswid=-6545
Priyadi, A. T., Dwi, I., Wati, P., Amir, A., Gover, T., Ringo, S., Gatot, Y., Yuliana, S., Khory, F. D., Auliya, D., Ghasya, V., & Haetemi, M. (2024). How are motor skills and writing readiness in children? A literature review ¿Cómo son las habilidades motrices y la preparación para la escritura en los niños? Una revisión bibliográfica. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias En Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación, 61, 141–147. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.109558
Putri, A. D., Jaya, A., & Marleni, M. (2023). Exploring the Students’ Speaking Ability Based on Their Different Personalities. Esteem Journal of English Education Study Programme, 6(1), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.31851/esteem.v6i1.10203
Putri, M. R., & Safitri, N. (2021). Total Physical Response and children’s vocabulary mastery: A qualitative analysis. Indonesian Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 6(1), 109–120.
Rahmat, A., & Marlina, L. (2021). The use of Total Physical Response method in improving young learners’ vocabulary. ELT Journal, 9(1), 29–36.
Ratri, D. P., Rachmajanti, S., Anugerahwati, M., Laksmi, E. D., & Gozali, A. (2025). Fostering cultural competence: developing an English syllabus for young learners in the Indonesian EFL context with emphasis on local culture to maintain students’ identity. Cogent Education, 12(1), 2440177. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2440177
Rohmah, N., & Prasetyo, H. (2020). Exploring the effectiveness of digital storytelling in early vocabulary learning. International Journal of Education and Practice, 8(2), 151–160.
Rouhani, H., & Modarresi, G. (2023). The role of translation-based, meaning-based, and hint-based instructions in vocabulary acquisition: A mixed-methods study. Iranian Journal of Applied Languae Studies, 15(1), 83–100. https://doi.org/10.22111/ijals.2023.38276.2156
Saraswati, N. A., Anam, S., & Purwati, O. (2021). Autonomous mobile-assisted language learning for young learners using duolingo. Celtic : A Journal of Culture, English Language Teaching, Literature and Linguistics, 8(2), 235–246. https://doi.org/10.22219/celtic.v8i2.16959
Setiawan, R., & Kuswandono, P. (2020). Using TPR for teaching English to young learners: A reflective study. Journal of English Language Teaching Innovations and Materials, 2(1), 20–30.
Thi, P., & Que, H. (2025). Enhancing Students’ English Oral Communication Skills Through Role-Play Activities: A Case Study at Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment. Journal of Knowledge Learning and Science Technology ISSN: 2959-6386 (Online), 4(3), 119–127.
Uljayeva, S. (2024). Challenges in teaching english to young learners: global perspectives and local realities. O’zbekiston Davlat Jahon Tillari Universiteti Konferensiyalari, 1(1), 191–195. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11255627
Widiastuti, O., Ivone, F. M., Sulistyo, T., Hartono, D., Sudarwati, E., & Prastiyowati, S. (2022). CALL-mediated task-based language teaching: A speaking project with online audiences in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 12(1), 232–242. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v12i1.46427
Yuliani, S., & Hartono, R. (2022). The effectiveness of combining TPR and digital tools for vocabulary acquisition in preschool learners. Journal of English Education, 9(3), 112–121.
Zheng, H. (2024). Vocabulary Knowledge and Acquisition. Advances in Humanities Research, 5(1), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7080/5/2024046
Zucker, T. A., & Light, J. (2020). Technology-supported early vocabulary learning. Early Childhood Education Journal, 48, 345–355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-019-00991-2
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Uji Nur Hidayati, Mala Eviana

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright Notice
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
In order to assure the highest standards for published articles, a peer review policy is applied. In pursue of the compliance with academic standards, all parties involved in the publishing process (the authors, the editors and the editorial board and the reviewers) agree to meet the responsibilities stated below in accordance to the Journal publication ethics and malpractice statement.
Duties of Authors:
- The author(s) warrant that the submitted article is an original work, which has not been previously published, and that they have obtained an agreement from any co-author(s) prior to the manuscript’s submission;
- The author(s) should not submit articles describing essentially the same research to more than one journal;
- The authors(s) make certain that the manuscript meets the terms of the Manuscript Submission Guideline regarding appropriate academic citation and that no copyright infringement occurs;
- The authors(s) should inform the editors about any conflict of interests and report any errors they subsequently, discover in their manuscript.
Duties of Editors and the Editorial Board:
- The editors, together with the editorial board, are responsible for deciding upon the publication or rejection of the submitted manuscripts based only on their originality, significance, and relevance to the domains of the journal;
- The editors evaluate the manuscripts compliance with academic criteria, the domains of the journal and the guidelines;
- The editors must at all times respect the confidentiality of any information pertaining to the submitted manuscripts;
- The editors assign the review of each manuscript to two reviewers chosen according to their domains of expertise. The editors must take into account any conflict of interest reported by the authors and the reviewers.
- The editors must ensure that the comments and recommendations of the reviewers are sent to the author(s) in due time and that the manuscripts are returned to the editors, who take the final decision to publish them or not.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a pre-publication manuscript (but not the Publisher final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (see The Effect of Open Access). Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.











