Multimodal Video Integration in Primary English Classrooms: Improving First-Grade Students’ Vocabulary Mastery

Early language learning increasingly relies on rich multimodal input to stimulate vocabulary growth and literacy development in young learners, yet systematic evidence on structured video-based vocabulary instruction in Indonesian primary EFL classrooms remains limited. Addressing this gap, this classroom action research examined how vocabulary videos enhance first-grade students’ vocabulary mastery in a private elementary school in Bali. Twenty-two learners participated, with nine low-achieving students receiving focused support. Following two cycles of the Kemmis and McTaggart model, data were gathered through observations, interviews, worksheets, and post-tests. The intervention integrated animated vocabulary videos, guided pronunciation, muted-video guessing tasks, translation scaffolding, and scaffolded writing, complemented by parental involvement through home practice activities. Results revealed consistent improvement, with mean scores increasing from 85.13 in Cycle 1 to 88.60 in Cycle 2, and all target students surpassing the minimum competency benchmark. Qualitative findings indicated heightened motivation, confidence, independent recall, and digital learning habits. The study demonstrates that multimodal video-supported routines, when implemented reflectively and paired with writing and retrieval tasks, foster both receptive and productive vocabulary skills in beginning EFL learners. This work contributes empirical evidence on early digital-media integration in Indonesian EFL settings and underscores the pedagogical value of combining classroom multimedia exposure with guided home engagement. In a wider context, the findings suggest that curriculum designers and early-grade educators should integrate structured video-based vocabulary instruction to support young learners’ foundational language, literacy, and responsible technology habits.