https://e-journal.iainptk.ac.id/index.php/khelie <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>KHELIE: Khatulistiwa English Language and Linguistics</strong>&nbsp;(e-ISSN: <a href="https://issn.brin.go.id/terbit/detail/20230622411091716" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3032-193X</a>) is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by the English Language Teaching Study Program, Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, State Islamic Institute of Pontianak in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.&nbsp;The journal publishes research and development in the fields of English language teaching and learning, general linguistics, and literature. The journal has been indexed by:</p> <div style="display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; gap: 8px; flex-wrap: wrap;"><br><br> <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&amp;user=se_B5HsAAAAJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img style="width: 100px; height: 40px;" src="https://e-journal.elkuator.com/public/site/images/muhammadlutfihakim/gs.png" alt="google scholar"></a></div> <div style="display: flex; justify-content: center; align-items: center; gap: 8px; flex-wrap: wrap;">&nbsp;</div> Program Studi Tadris Bahasa Inggris, Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Ilmu Keguruan, Institut Agama Islam Negeri Pontianak en-US KHELIE: Khatulistiwa English Language and Linguistics https://e-journal.iainptk.ac.id/index.php/khelie/article/view/4126 <p><em>This study examines the effectiveness of crossword puzzle games in improving English vocabulary mastery among seventh-grade students at SMPN 2 Pontianak. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research involved 60 students divided into experimental and control groups. Data were collected through pre-tests and post-tests in written subjective format and analyzed using SPSS version 27 based on Agresti &amp; Finlay's theory (2019). The results indicate a significant improvement in the experimental group, with the average score rising from 51.06 to 80.06, while the control group showed a modest increase from 48.56 to 65.13. A statistical test at a 5% significance level confirmed the effectiveness of crossword puzzles in enhancing vocabulary mastery (t-count = 11.349 &gt; t-table = 2.042). These findings highlight the potential of interactive games as a valuable teaching strategy in the independent curriculum to support vocabulary acquisition.</em></p> Wiwin Kurnia Faqihatun - Nadiah Istiqamah Istiqamah Militansina Militansina Nanik Shobikah Oki Anggara ##submission.copyrightStatement## 2024-12-27 2024-12-27 2 2 1 15 10.24260/khelie.v2i1.4126