REVIEWING ANIMATION FILM MEDIA IN IMPROVING STUDENTS' ENGLISH VOCABULARY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59003/nhj.v6i2.2283Keywords:
animation films; English vocabulary learning; English as a Foreign Language (EFL); systematic literature review; thematic analysisAbstract
Vocabulary mastery is essential for developing English language proficiency. However, many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners continue to experience difficulties in acquiring and retaining vocabulary. Although numerous studies have investigated the use of animation films in vocabulary instruction, their findings remain fragmented across different educational levels. Therefore, this study aims to systematically review the positive impacts and challenges of using animation films to improve students’ English vocabulary learning in the Indonesian EFL context. A systematic literature review was conducted by analyzing 12 empirical studies published between 2016 and 2026. The studies were retrieved from Google Scholar using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. Taguette software was used to facilitate the coding and categorization process. The analysis generated two overarching themes and eleven sub-themes. The findings revealed six major positive impacts of animation films: improved vocabulary mastery, positive learner perceptions, increased motivation and classroom engagement, enhanced vocabulary comprehension through visual context, supported incidental vocabulary learning, and promoted autonomous learning. However, the review also identified five recurring challenges, namely fast-paced dialogue, dependence on subtitles, uneven learning outcomes, distractions during learning, and technical issues. Overall, the findings indicate that animation films are an effective instructional medium for supporting vocabulary learning by providing meaningful, contextualized, and engaging learning experiences. Nevertheless, their successful implementation depends on careful instructional planning, appropriate media selection, teacher guidance, and adequate technological support. This review contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive synthesis of both the pedagogical benefits and implementation challenges of animation films in English vocabulary instruction across different educational levels in Indonesian EFL classrooms.
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