Abstract
Statement of Problem In learning a foreign or a second language, motivation has been considered for a long time the key factor that affects achievement and educational attainment (Pae & Shin, 2010). The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits of using edutainment methods with adult English learners in a reading and vocabulary class. The primary research question was: Will the use of an online learning tool known as ”Quiz let” be effective for improving the ability of adult English language learners to memorize vocabulary and increase their level of motivation, confidence in using the target language and keep them engaged , in a level five class of adults in a reading and vocabulary class? Sources of Data Data was collected from 31 students in an adult English language institute in Northern California. This program has students at various levels of language proficiency and all students selected for this study were performing at level five in reading and vocabulary. Two classes were used for this study. Eighteen students from class “B” were placed in the treatment group and 14 students from class “A” were placed in the control group. All students were placed in level five according to their academic performance in the placement test that was given by the institute. An online game called “Quiz let” was used as an edutainment method for vocabulary instruction. The treatment lasted for approximately 45 minutes. Observations, surveys, interviews, response journals, results from quizzes and final exams provided relevant data to determine the findings for this study. Conclusions Reached The findings for this research study revealed that using edutainment methods in vocabulary instruction was engaging, motivating and gave students confidence to communicate in English as their second language. The analysis of the weekly quiz results showed that the average scores for the treatment group was higher than the average for the control group. This provided evidence that the use of an online vocabulary game was an effective edutainment method in teaching reading and vocabulary to adults learning English as a second language.