IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TONGLIS WEB-BASED LEARNING APPLICATION TO IMPROVE ENGLISH VOCABULARY MASTERY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Mastery of English vocabulary is a fundamental component in developing language skills among elementary students, yet traditional teaching approaches in Indonesia often lack technological integration and fail to engage learners effectively. This study aims to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based learning application, Tonglis, in improving vocabulary acquisition for fifth-grade students at SD Muhammadiyah Ambarketawang 2, Yogyakarta. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the study involved 20 students in a one-group pretest-posttest design and conducted semi-structured interviews with students and teachers. Quantitative results showed a significant increase in vocabulary scores, from a mean pretest score of 52.8 to a posttest mean of 80.4 after two weeks of using Tonglis. Qualitative data revealed enhanced student engagement, increased motivation, and more confident vocabulary usage, supported by interactive features such as native speaker audio, gamified quizzes, and child-friendly visuals. The findings demonstrate that Tonglis can effectively facilitate English vocabulary learning in primary school contexts and contribute to the advancement of educational technology tailored for young learners, particularly in low-resource settings.