Post pandemic classrooms often face declining learner motivation and poor vocabulary retention especially

when teaching remains passive. MOVE (Motivational Outdoor Vocabulary Engagement) was designed to

change this experience by bringing learning outdoors, combining movement, digital support, and teamwork to

class. MOVE shows how language learning can be simple, low cost, and entertaining while still achieving

actual results.

During the pandemic learners spent long periods in front of screens. Returning to classrooms, many felt less

motivated and struggled to remember new vocabulary (Rahman et al., 2022). Traditional methods such as

copying words and listening passively often fail to inspire learners (Nguyen & Boers, 2019).

MOVE was developed to bring energy, interaction, and fun back into vocabulary learning. By blending

movement to wake up the body and brain, digital support to provide instant feedback, and teamwork to create

peer support, it turns into an adventure.

1. Make learning vocabulary fun and motivating.

2. Improve learners’ memory through repeated practice and active recall.

3. Build teamwork and collaboration in a shared learning journey.

The MOVE activity unfolds in three steps:

MOVE only requires simple props such as hula hoops, ropes, and jump ropes, all of which are low cost and

reusable. For the digital part, it uses free or low-cost platforms like Quizizz, Kahoot, Quizalize, and Padlet.

This makes MOVE a practical choice for schools or centres that may not have large budgets.

The word lists and activities in MOVE can be adjusted for any level of learner. The game can be played

indoors, outdoors, in small classrooms, or with large groups. This flexibility allows MOVE to be applied in

schools, universities, and training centres.

digital support, with 88.9 percent saying it helped them remember words and 93.3 percent enjoying its use.

Learners also preferred MOVE to passive learning (71.1 percent) and agreed it improved word recall (77.2

percent). Motivation was boosted for 82.2 percent of learners, while teamwork had the highest impact, with

The novelty of MOVE lies in the way it brings together movement, digital support, and teamwork into a single

structured activity. While vocabulary learning is often associated with passive memorisation, MOVE

transforms it into an active and playful experience. Learners are not only recalling words through digital

quizzes but also engaging their bodies through physical challenges and supporting each other in teams. This

integration of embodied learning, gamified practice, and collaboration makes MOVE distinct from traditional

learning more engaging and memorable. Future development should focus on broadening its application, for

example by adapting it for workplace English or other language skills beyond vocabulary. Another

recommendation is to integrate artificial intelligence into the digital platforms so that learners can receive

personalised challenges and feedback. Finally, wider implementation can be supported through the creation of

MOVE kits, an app, and teacher training modules, which would allow more educators to adopt and adapt this

approach in their own teaching.

We would like to extend our appreciations towards the enthusiastic learners from Institut Kemahiran Belia

Negara (IKBN) Wakaf Tapai and the student facilitators who helped make MOVE possible.

3. Husna, N., Rahman, R., & Ahmad, S. (2023). Post pandemic collaborative learning strategies in EFL

classrooms: Impacts on student engagement and motivation. International Journal of Education and Literacy

Studies, 11(3), 45–53. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.11n.3p.45

4. Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2009). An educational psychology success story: Social interdependence

theory and cooperative learning. Educational Researcher, 38(5), 365–379.

https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X09339057

5. Mavilidi, M. F., Ruiter, M., Schmidt, M., Okely, A., Loyens, S., Chandler, P., & Paas, F. (2018). A

narrative review of school based physical activity for enhancing cognition and learning: The importance of

relevancy and integration. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 2079. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02079

6. Nguyen, C. D., & Boers, F. (2019). Enhancing retention of new words: A multifactorial approach.

9. Zhang, W. (2025). Enhancing vocabulary retention through technology based embodied learning: A

comparative study. Interactive Learning Environments. Advance online publication.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2025.2479176