Gamification: The Impact of Games on Learner's Motivation in the L2 Classroom

There are many innovative ways to impact student motivation in the L2 classroom.  One interesting way to stimulate motivation in learning is through games.  Gamification "is the application of game elements in non-gaming situations, often to motivate or influence behavior" (Educase, 2011).  Through the increase in classroom technology it is becoming easier and more relevant to include games in school curriculum, particularly in L2 classrooms.

Gamification may seem abstract or even distracting for some classroom teachers, however, much can be said to rationalize the usage of games for second language learning.  For starters "Gamification offers instructors numerous creative opportunities to enliven their instruction with contests, leader boards, or badges that give students opportunities for recognition and a positive attitude toward their work" (Educase, 2011).   In language learning it is often quite common for shy students to fall behind, not because of some type of cognitive dysfunction but due to their shy and introverted personalities.  This is an area in which games can be very useful in second language classrooms: "Gamification  has the potential to help build connections among members of the academic community, drawing in shy students, supporting collaboration, and engendering interest in course content that students might not have otherwise explored" (Educase, 2011).

The game Phantasy Quest is a game that has a lot of potential in an ESL classroom.  I personally played the game once and found it to contain a wealth of new vocabulary for early intermediate speakers. The objective of the game is to click around the environment to rescue the girl and sail away.  By clicking on different items throughout the environment and through the use of logical thinking the player is able to achieve small tasks and victories that build up on each other and lead to the eventual achievement of winning the game. As we learned from Tom Chatfield's TEDTalk: 7 Ways Games Reward the Brain there is great importance of multiple long and short term aims as a way to keep the learner or game player continually interested.  The idea behind Phantasy Quest is to find missing puzzles pieces to unlock small achievements little by little until the final goal is reached.

There are many learning objectives that can be met through incorporation of this game.  One significant learning objective is vocabulary, a teacher can easily set up a lesson plan that teaches nautical vocabulary, the game has many vocabulary words associated with water, beaches, and even piracy.  The teacher can introduce worksheets and other traditional teaching methods to prepare the students for the vocabulary needed for the game.

Listening and speaking skills could also be strengthened through use of this game.  For example the teacher could separate the class into small groups depending on the number of computers available.  Each group member could have a role and different pieces to the walk-through.   The goal of the game is for the students to use their listening and speaking skills to work together to complete the game, groups could also compete against each other and time.  The teacher can serve as moderator, time keeper, and helper to the students.


To meet specific learning objects through games with out an abundance of computers is more challenging, however, it does not mean that it will not be useful.  For example most modern classrooms have one computer with projection capabilities.  The teacher could show the game on the projector and work through the process with the class.  Through this platform the teacher could instill question and answer format learning objectives.  Students could be separated into small groups, each group has the walk-through with various vocabulary words missing, they can offer their ideas for what to do next by "ringing-in" with their best idea for what to do next by utilizing the proper grammar and sentence structure.  The teacher will move the character in accordance with the students explanation and see if it works.  This is a good way to test if the learning objectives have been met; if the students complete the walk-through with the correct vocabulary and missing L2 information then the shipwrecked mate should be able to complete the necessary tasks.

The Phantasy Quest game uses a lot of logical and creative thinking in order to be successful.  This is an excellent platform for students to get comfortable thinking logical and creatively in their L2.  Whether this game is played in the classroom or outside of the classroom it is a very useful platform for a second language user to practice and learn English while staying motivated through a fun game.