THE IMPACT OF HUMOUR-INTEGRATED EXAMPLE SENTENCES ON EFL LEARNERS’ VOCABULARY RETENTION AT A LANGUAGE CENTRE IN VIETNAM

Abstract

Humour has been shown to offer various benefits in English language classrooms, yet it has received little attention in Vietnam, with few studies on humour-based teaching materials. This article examines the impact of humorous example sentences on pre-intermediate students’ vocabulary retention at a language centre in Vietnam. Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods were used; 58 students participated in a quasi-experimental study, with 10 from the experimental group joining focus group interviews. Quantitative results showed that humour-based example sentences improved vocabulary retention, as the experimental group’s post-test mean (18.069) was higher than the control group's (16.759). Focus group data further supported these findings, with students expressing positive attitudes toward the method, noting it helped them remember vocabulary longer, increased engagement, and reduced classroom tension.