Vocabulary development is essential for understanding English, as it serves as the foundation for language acquisition. Integrating engaging digital media into informal learning environments can support adolescents in learning English independently. One medium widely used by teenagers today is the Mobile Legends application, which contains various English features and instructions. This study aimed to analyze English vocabulary development through the Mobile Legends application among teenagers in Pintu Padang Julu Village and to identify the difficulties they encounter in learning vocabulary. This research employed a descriptive qualitative approach. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, while data validity was ensured through method triangulation. The findings revealed that vocabulary development occurred naturally and incidentally through repeated exposure during gameplay, particularly in item and equipment menus, kill notifications, and system alerts. To understand unfamiliar words, teenagers used several strategies, including digital translation tools, observation of in-game visual actions, habituation, and peer discussions. However, the vocabulary acquired was mostly limited to gaming contexts and remained difficult to apply in daily communication. Participants also experienced difficulties related to pronunciation, spelling, grammar, and contextual meaning because the application does not provide explicit language explanations. In conclusion, Mobile Legends contributes to incidental English vocabulary development among teenagers, although its effectiveness remains limited to game-related vocabulary and does not fully support broader language use.
Keywords: Teenagers, Vocabulary Development, Mobile Legends Application