The Impact of Gamification in Language Teaching On High School Students' English Learning

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of gamification on the English vocabulary achievement of 10th-grade students and their attitudes toward this process in foreign language education. Additionally, the role of specific gamification components (points, badges, and leaderboards) in retaining learned vocabulary in long-term memory (retention) was investigated. A single-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, one of the quantitative research methods, was employed in this study. The study group consisted of 30 tenth-grade students selected through convenience sampling during the 2025–2026 academic year.

Throughout the four-week implementation period, target vocabulary was introduced using gamification elements such as scoring, weekly leaderboards, and digital badges via digital tools like Kahoot and ClassDojo. Data collection instruments included a researcher-developed "Academic Achievement Test" (administered as a pretest, posttest, and retention test) and a "Gamification Experience Questionnaire." The collected data were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics and Paired Samples t-Test in SPSS software. The research findings revealed a statistically significant difference between students' pretest (X} = 42.15) and posttest (X} = 78.60) scores in favor of the posttest (p <.05). The retention test administered four weeks after the implementation demonstrated that the learned vocabulary was highly recalled, with no significant decline between posttest and retention test scores. Furthermore, 90% of the students found learning vocabulary through gamification "enjoyable," and 85% stated that the reward system increased their motivation.Consequently, it was determined that gamification is not merely affective motivational tool but also a pedagogical lever that ensures permanent learning by managing cognitive load. The study offers concrete recommendations for foreign language curriculum developers regarding technology integration.