GAMIFICATION IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION: MOTIVATION OR DISTRACTION?
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In language education, gamification is the use of game elements such as reward points, badges, or leaderboards to increase motivation and interest. This paper seeks to ascertain whether gamification in language education constitutes an enhancement or distraction to learning. Does it act as a motivational tool which positively affects language acquisition? Or is it simply a distraction which impedes deeper learning? The main factors affecting gamified educational settings were identified through a literature review and case studies, as well as experiments. They were found to be psychological and pedagogical. Gamification was also found to have a positive impact on learner motivation and engagement, and on short-term knowledge retention. Yet, some critics have noted the possibility of an over-reliance on gamification, emphasizing extrinsic reinforcement, downplaying structural comprehension of language, and adopting a superficial approach to learning. This research seeks to examine the conditions under which gamification is successful in helping language acquisition, and when it may be harmful.
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