THE BENEFITS AND THE DRAWBACKS OF ROLE-PLAY IN STUDENTS' VOCABULARY ATTAINMENT

This study investigates the benefits and drawbacks of implementing role-play in enhancing students' vocabulary attainment among fifth-semester students in the English Language Education Department at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang. The research utilizes a descriptive qualitative research design. Furthermore, data were collected through classroom observations and structured interviews to identify the benefits and the drawbacks of role-play in students’ vocabulary attainment.
The findings reveal that role-play activities significantly encourage the use of formal and academic vocabulary, increase new vocabulary, provide valuable feedback on language use, and promote spontaneous, contextual learning. However, several drawbacks were also identified, including unequal participation among students, the use of unnatural phrasing due to direct translations, and a lack of authenticity in certain role-play scenarios. Despite these challenges, the overall results suggest that role-play is a powerful strategy for vocabulary development when appropriately guided and contextualized. This research highlights the importance of structured facilitation, careful scenario selection, and continuous corrective feedback to maximize the effectiveness of role-play activities. The findings contribute valuable insights for educators seeking innovative and contextual approaches to vocabulary instruction in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) setting.