GAMING FOR ENGLISH: STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF ONLINE GAMES IN BOOSTING THEIR SEAKING SKILLS AT SMAN 1 PESANGGARAN, BANYUWANGI

enhancing their English-speaking skills, focusing on 10th-grade students at SMA Negeri 1 Pesanggaran, Banyuwangi. The research employed mixed-method design, combining qualitative and quantitative including questionnaires and interviews, to collect data on students' experiences and challenges while using online games for language learning. The findings reveal that a majority of students (78%) perceive online games as a beneficial tool for improving their English-speaking skills, particularly in vocabulary acquisition, pronunciation, and grammar. Students reported that games provide an immersive and engaging environment for practicing English through dialogues, instructions, and interactions with other players. Additionally, the interactive nature of games makes learning less stressful and more enjoyable compared to traditional classroom methods. However, the study also identified several challenges, including difficulty understanding complex game language, limited opportunities for verbal interaction, low confidence in speaking English, and a lack of educational features such as feedback or language support tools. Despite these challenges, students believe that online games are a valuable supplement to language learning. The study concludes that while online games can positively impact English- speaking skills, their full potential is realized when integrated with structured learning environments or enhanced with educational features. The study offers recommendations for students, teachers, and future researchers to optimize the use of online games in language acquisition.