The Effectiveness of Educational Videos on Vocabulary Learning Among Kurdish University EFL Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21271/zjhs.29.SpB.45Keywords:
Educational videos, Vocabulary learning, Kurdish EFL students, Multimedia instruction, Language retention.Abstract
Educational videos can be defined as structured audiovisual tools designed to enhance learning through visual, auditory, and contextual input. Although widely available, educational videos remain underused in EFL classrooms in the Kurdistan Region still rely on traditional, text-based instruction, which limits student engagement, vocabulary retention, and practical usage. This descriptive study examines the effectiveness of educational videos in enhancing vocabulary comprehension, retention, and motivation among Kurdish EFL academic students. It follows a quantitative approach through a closed-ended, five-point Likert scale questionnaire administered to 121 fourth-year English language students from three colleges at Salahaddin University-Erbil during the 2024-2025 academic year. The tool’s reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.841, and data were analyzed using SPSS (version 30). Results indicate that educational videos significantly support vocabulary acquisition through multimodal features, including subtitles, authentic speech, and contextual imagery. Students reported that educational videos enhance their comprehension and retention of new vocabulary, particularly through the use of visual examples and contextual usage. While many students understand the meaning of words more easily, some still face challenges in applying them actively in speaking or writing. Additionally, the use of videos was found to increase student motivation and engagement during lessons, contributing to a more interactive and focused classroom environment. However, some students indicated that abstract or poorly designed videos reduce learning effectiveness, underscoring the need for content aligned with learners’ levels and interests. These findings highlight the importance of thoughtful video selection and instructional design. When effectively implemented, educational videos can bridge the gap between passive recognition and active vocabulary use, supporting a more engaging and autonomous learning environment.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmed Tahseen Mohammed, Nada Jabar Abbas
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
