Enhancing Vocabulary Mastery: Students’ Perspectives of Marbel Learn English as a Learning Tool

Abstract

This study aims to explore students' perceptions of the Marbel Learn English application as a learning tool for improving English vocabulary. Using a qualitative research approach with a case study design, this study involved 15 seventh-grade students from a junior high school in Serdang Bedagai. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The findings indicate that students generally have a positive perception of the application due to its ease of use, interactive features, and gamification elements that enhance engagement. The use of Marbel Learn English positively impacts vocabulary retention, independent learning, and contextual understanding of words. However, challenges were identified, such as the structured learning progression that requires students to complete challenges before advancing to new levels, which some students found restrictive. These findings suggest that Marbel Learn English has great potential as an effective vocabulary learning tool, but further improvements in flexibility and vocabulary diversity could enhance the learning experience. This study provides valuable insights for educators on integrating mobile applications into vocabulary learning and offers recommendations for developers to refine the application’s features for better student engagement and learning outcomes.