EFL STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD AUGMENTED REALITY–BASED VOCABULARY LEARNING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE MUQRIN PREP YEAR PROGRAM

Author: Halah Talal Alshawdari

ABSTRACT

This research investigated female EFL preparatory-year students’ attitudes toward integrating Augmented Reality (AR) in vocabulary learning at the University of Prince Muqrin in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study adopted a descriptive correlational survey design. The target population consisted of 152 Level 2 female preparatory-year students, and the final sample included 117 valid responses. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire covering four dimensions: perceived usefulness, ease of use, enjoyment, and willingness to continue using AR. Before data collection, six AR-based vocabulary activities were implemented using Unity and QR-code-supported image-tracking technology. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis through SPSS. The findings showed that students generally held positive attitudes toward AR integration in vocabulary learning. Perceived usefulness recorded the highest mean score, followed by ease of use, enjoyment, and then willingness, with all four dimensions remaining at a high level. Significant positive correlations were also found between perceived usefulness, ease of use, enjoyment, and students’ willingness to continue using AR. The study concludes that AR can provide engaging and interactive vocabulary learning experiences in EFL classrooms.

Keywords: Augmented Reality, vocabulary learning, EFL learners, students’ attitudes.

REFERENCES

  1. Ajzen, I. (1989). Attitude structure and behavior. In A. R. Pratkanis, S. J. Breckler, & A. G. Greenwald (Eds.), Attitude structure and function (pp. 241–274). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
  2. Aldossari, S., & Alsuhaibani, Z. (2021). Using augmented reality in language classrooms: The case of EFL elementary students. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 12(6), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.12n.6.p.1
  3. Alessa, I. A., & Hussein, S. (2023). Using traditional and modern teaching methods on the teaching process from teachers’ own perspective. Route Educational & Social Science Journal, 10(2), 65–92. https://www.ressjournal.com/Makaleler/1261510042_4.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
  4. Aljasir, N. (2025). Vocabulary learning strategies among Saudi EFL learners: A proficiency-level comparison using think-aloud protocols. Cogent Education, 12(1), Article 2472480. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2472480
  5. Alqahtani, M. (2015). The importance of vocabulary in language learning and how to be taught. International Journal of Teaching and Education, 3(3), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.20472/TE.2015.3.3.002
  6. Alsakaker, S. M. (2025). Investigating EFL learners’ perceptions of using AI to enhance English vocabulary acquisition based on the technology acceptance model. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(2), 1067–1077. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i2.8593
  7. Amin, E. A.-R. (2025). The impact of augmented reality on vocabulary acquisition and engagement among college ESP students. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 15(2), 414–425. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1502.11
  8. Amiryousefi, M., & Dastjerdi, H. V. (2010). Vocabulary: Challenges and debates. English Language Teaching, 3(3), 89–94. https://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt/article/view/7240
  9. Asadi, M., & Ebadi, S. (2025). Integrating augmented reality in EFL reading comprehension: A mixed-methods study. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 20, Article 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41039-024-00223-0
  10. Bain, R. (1928). An attitude on attitude research. American Journal of Sociology, 33(6), 940–957.
  11. Bamanger, E. (2025). Augmented reality in EFL education: Transforming high school student achievement through interactive learning tools. Journal of Technology Studies, 50(1), 30–41. https://doi.org/10.21061/jts.439
  12. Belda-Medina, J. (2022). Using augmented reality (AR) as an authoring tool in EFL through mobile computer-supported collaborative learning. Teaching English with Technology, 22(2), 115–135. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1354648.pdf
  13. Belda-Medina, J., & Marrahí-Gómez, V. (2023). The impact of augmented reality (AR) on vocabulary acquisition and student motivation. Electronics, 12(3), Article 749. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics12030749
  14. Binhomran, K., & Altalhab, S. (2021). The impact of implementing augmented reality to enhance the vocabulary of young EFL learners. The JALT CALL Journal, 17(1), 23–44. https://doi.org/10.29140/jaltcall.v17n1.304
  15. Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Pearson Education.
  16. Davis, F. D. (1987). User acceptance of information systems: The technology acceptance model (TAM) (Working Paper No. 529). University of Michigan, School of Business Administration. https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/35547
  17. Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R. P., & Warshaw, P. R. (1989). User acceptance of computer technology: A comparison of two theoretical models. Management Science, 35(8), 982–1003. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.35.8.982
  18. Durga, V. S. S., & Sekhar, V. C. (2025). Traditional and modern methods of teaching: A brief study. The Review of Contemporary Scientific and Academic Studies, 5(7), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.55454/rcsas.5.07.2025.002
  19. Ebadi, S., & Ashrafabadi, F. (2022). An exploration into the impact of augmented reality on EFL learners’ reading comprehension. Education and Information Technologies, 27(7), 9745–9765. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11021-8
  20. Emilia, E., Ismail, I., & Hasan, H. (2025). Utilizing augmented reality technology in English vocabulary. Scope of English Language Teaching, Literature and Linguistics, 8(1), 44–55. https://ejournals.umma.ac.id/index.php/seltics
  21. García Castañeda, M. G. (Ed.). (2020). Reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition in the EFL classroom. Editorial Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana.
  22. Hasan, N. R. H. (2024). A study on student’s challenges and problems in learning English vocabulary. International Journal for Scientific Research, 3(6), 207–227. https://doi.org/10.59992/IJSR.2024.v3n6p7
  23. Hikam, M. F., Ganinda, N., & Lindawati, R. (2025). Innovative vocabulary teaching: The effectiveness of Assemblr Edu app in junior high school classrooms. International Journal of Society Reviews, 3(5), 521–532.
  24. Hoang, D. T. N., Johnson, N. F., & McAlinden, M. (2022). Students’ perceptions and real-life use of mobile technologies in EFL learning. Computer Assisted Language Learning Electronic Journal, 23(3), 186–206.
  25. Idul, M., & Syaiful. (2024). Augmented reality in the classroom: Revolutionizing vocabulary teaching for high school language learners. Inspiring: English Education Journal, 7(2), 201–221.
  26. Ironsi, C. S. (2025). Examining perceptions of utilizing augmented reality in hybrid learning environment: Instructors and students perspectives. Foresight, 27(5), 914–929. https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-02-2024-0032
  27. Jabbar, S. A. (2024). Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) in English education: Trends and developments. International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, 9(6), 113–116. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijels.96.20
  28. Jamrus, M. H. M., & Razali, A. B. (2019). Augmented reality in teaching and learning English reading: Realities, possibilities, and limitations. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 8(4), 724–737. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v8-i4/6696
  29. Khan, R. M. I., Ali, A., Kumar, T., & Venugopal, A. (2023). Assessing the efficacy of augmented reality in enhancing EFL vocabulary. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10(1), Article 2223010. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2223010
  30. Küçük, S., Yılmaz, R. M., & Göktaş, Y. (2014). Augmented reality for learning English: Achievement, attitude and cognitive load levels of students. Education and Science, 39(176), 393–404. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2014.3595
  31. Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2018). Mobile-assisted language learning. In C. A. Chapelle (Ed.), The concise encyclopedia of applied linguistics (pp. 1–9). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal0768.pub2
  32. Lutfiyah, N., Nuraeningsih, N., & Rusiana, R. (2022). The obstacles in learning vocabulary of EFL students. Prominent: Journal of English Studies, 5(2), 114–125.
  33. Marikyan, D., & Papagiannidis, S. (2024). Technology acceptance model: A review. In S. Papagiannidis (Ed.), TheoryHub Book. https://open.ncl.ac.uk/theories/1/technology-acceptance-model/
  34. Martínez, J. A. Á., Gómez, J. F., & Restrepo Botero, J. C. (2025). Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) for improving English language teaching and learning in higher education: A systematic literature review. Knowledge Management & E-Learning, 17(2), 258–277. https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2025.17.012
  35. Maysaroh, U. S. (2024). The effect of Assemblr Edu on students’ vocabulary mastery at VII grade of SMP N 1 Tambak, Banyumas [Undergraduate thesis, UIN Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto]. UIN Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto Institutional Repository. https://repository.uinsaizu.ac.id/25886/
  36. Moran, C. M., & Rice, M. F. (Eds.). (2021). Virtual and augmented reality in English language arts education. Lexington Books.
  37. Nabil, N. S. M., Nordin, H., & Ab Rahman, F. (2023). Teaching English language skills using augmented reality: Secondary schools teachers’ experience. In T. Cherner & A. Fegely (Eds.), Bridging the XR technology-to-practice gap: Methods and strategies for blending extended realities into classroom instruction (pp. 135–144). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education.
  38. Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524759
  39. Peddie, J. (2017). Augmented reality: Where we will all live. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54502-8
  40. Rao, P. S. R. S. (2000). Sampling methodologies with applications. Chapman and Hall/CRC.
  41. Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
  42. Rohmatillah, R. (2014). A study on students’ difficulties in learning vocabulary. English Education: Jurnal Tadris Bahasa Inggris, 6(1), 75–93.
  43. Sabani, E. (2025). Integrating mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) in teaching EFL of senior high schools in Jember Regency [Master’s thesis, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang]. UMM Institutional Repository. https://eprints.umm.ac.id/id/eprint/13934/
  44. Sadikin, I. S., & Martyani, E. (2020). Integrating augmented reality (AR) in EFL class for teaching vocabulary. Professional Journal of English Education, 3(2), 161–167.
  45. Salehi, N. (2025). Teaching vocabulary with augmented reality: Voices from junior high school English teachers. Discover Education, 4, Article 230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00673-6
  46. Sari, N. (2024). The role of technology in facilitating EFL learning: A case study approach. Journal of Education Research, 5(3), 4159–4167.
  47. Schmalstieg, D., & Höllerer, T. (2016). Augmented reality: Principles and practice. Addison-Wesley.
  48. Schmitt, N. (2000). Vocabulary in language teaching. Cambridge University Press.
  49. Shaman, S. B. N. H. (2023). The effectiveness of applying augmented reality technology on learning English vocabulary, and motivating elementary students toward learning from their perspectives. Journal of Educational & Social Sciences, 15, 319–338. https://doi.org/10.36046/2162-000-015-019
  50. Tsai, C. C. (2020). The effects of augmented reality to motivation and performance in EFL vocabulary learning. International Journal of Instruction, 13(4), 987–1000. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.13460a
  51. Turns, J. (2024, October 4). Who were the developers who built augmented reality? https://seisan.com/who-were-the-developers-who-built-augmented-reality/
  52. Weerasinghe, M., Biener, V., Grubert, J., Quigley, A. J., Toniolo, A., Čopič Pucihar, K., & Kljun, M. (2022). VocabulARy: Learning vocabulary in AR supported by keyword visualisations. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 28(11), 3748–3758. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2022.3203116
  53. Wilkins, D. A. (1972). Linguistics in language teaching. Edward Arnold.