Evaluating the Impact of Illustrated Activities on Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes

This article investigates the influence of a hand-drawn illustrated vocabulary activity on student engagement and learning outcomes in a university English Communication classroom. Conducted at Muroran Institute of Technology, the study involved 27 second-year undergraduate students participating in a modified Pictionary-style activity. The research aims to understand how drawn visual elements can enhance vocabulary retention and overall learning experiences from the student perspective. Survey responses, based on a Likert scale, revealed that students found these illustrated activities more effective for vocabulary retention compared to traditional methods, increased their confidence in using new words, encouraged active class participation, and made learning more enjoyable. These results suggest that hand-drawn illustrated vocabulary activities could be a valuable addition to English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction, promoting a more engaging, interactive, and supportive learning environment.