DEVELOPING ENGLISH VOCABULARY THROUGH DIGITAL LINGUISTIC GAMES

The integration of digital technologies into foreign language education has created new opportunities for improving vocabulary acquisition and developing learners' communicative competence. Digital linguistic games represent an innovative pedagogical approach that combines language learning objectives with interactive, engaging, and technology-supported activities. This article investigates the pedagogical potential of digital linguistic games in developing English vocabulary among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. It explores the theoretical foundations of digital game-based learning, examines the role of gamification in vocabulary acquisition, and analyses the contribution of interactive activities to receptive and productive vocabulary development. The study employs a qualitative literature-based methodology, including theoretical analysis, comparative analysis, classification, and synthesis of relevant academic research. Particular attention is given to lexical recognition, semantic association, contextual learning, repeated retrieval, immediate feedback, and learner motivation. The findings suggest that digital linguistic games can support vocabulary learning by providing meaningful interaction, multiple exposures to lexical items, and opportunities for active language use. Nevertheless, their effectiveness depends on instructional design, learners' proficiency levels, technological accessibility, and the integration of receptive and productive tasks. The article proposes a five-stage pedagogical model for incorporating digital linguistic games into English language instruction.