Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition Through Contemporary Short Stories: A Study in an Indonesian Islamic Boarding School

This study investigates the effectiveness of using contemporary short stories to enhance vocabulary acquisition among students in an Islamic boarding school, specifically within the Indonesian context. The research employed an experimental design with a pre-test and post-test to compare the vocabulary development of an experimental group, exposed to contemporary short stories, and a control group that followed traditional memorization techniques. Data collection methods included standardized vocabulary tests and a Likert-scale questionnaire to capture students' perceptions of the literary-based approach. The findings revealed a significant improvement in vocabulary proficiency among the experimental group, suggesting that contemporary short stories provide an engaging and contextually relevant medium for vocabulary learning. The students in the experimental group also demonstrated a positive perception of literary texts, acknowledging them as effective and motivational tools for language acquisition. However, variability in post-test scores highlighted the influence of individual differences, such as reading habits and motivation, on the learning outcomes. This study underscores the potential of integrating culturally relevant literature into English language teaching, especially in educational settings where traditional methods have shown limited success. The implications suggest that literary texts, when carefully selected and appropriately utilized, can offer a holistic approach to vocabulary instruction that goes beyond rote memorization. Future research should explore long-term effects and investigate diverse literary genres to further validate the findings.