PENGARUH STRATEGI PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS GAMIFIKASI DUOLINGO DALAM MENINGKATKAN PENGUASAAN KOSAKATA SISWA DI SMP NEGERI 1 TALIABU BARAT = THE EFFECT OF DUOLINGO-GAMIFIED LEARNING STRATEGIES ON IMPROVING VOCABULARY MASTERY OF STUDENTS AT SMP NEGERI 1 TALIABU BARAT

Hendrianto Tuajo. The Effect of Duolingo-Gamified Learning Strategies on Improving Vocabulary Mastery of Students at SMP Negeri 1 Taliabu Barat. (supervised by Abidin and Nasmilah). This study aims to examine the effect of Duolingo-gamified learning strategies in improving students’ vocabulary mastery at SMP Negeri 1 Taliabu Barat. This research used a quantitative approach with an experimental design involving two classes, namely Class VII A as the experimental class and Class VII B as the control class. The experimental class was taught using the Duolingo application, while the control class was taught using a conventional learning method. The data were collected through pretests and posttests administered to the students before and after the learning process. The results showed that the average score of students in the experimental class increased from 51.55 in the pretest to 78.41 in the posttest. Meanwhile, the average score of students in the control class increased from 47.76 to 66.90. The result of the Independent Samples t-Test showed a significance value of 0.002, which was lower than 0.05. This indicates a significant difference between students who learned vocabulary using Duolingo and those who learned using a conventional method. Therefore, the use of Duolingo-gamified learning strategies had a positive effect on improving students’ vocabulary mastery. Duolingo helped students understand and remember vocabulary more effectively. It also made the learning process more interesting, interactive, and less monotonous. Based on these results, it can be concluded that Duolingo-gamified learning strategies are effective as a supporting learning tool to improve English vocabulary mastery among seventh-grade students at SMP Negeri 1 Taliabu Barat.