Integrating Gamified Language Teaching into EFL Classes and Its Effects on Motivation and Writing: A Mixed-Methods Study (مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)

چکیده

This study investigated the effects of gamified language teaching on motivation and writing proficiency of Iranian pre-intermediate English as a foreign language (EFL) learners. Adopting a mixed-methods design, the study involved 60 learners aged 12–16, registered in four language classes of a private institute. Two classes were randomly selected as experimental groups receiving gamified language instruction, and two classes were chosen as control groups receiving traditional instruction. The quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-writing tasks scored using Jacobs et al.’s (1981) analytic rubric and a validated Persian version of Dörnyei and Taguchi’s (2009) motivation questionnaire. The results of mixed-design Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that learners exposed to digital gamification demonstrated significantly greater gains in motivation and writing performance than those in the control group. The qualitative data from semi-structured interviews further supported these findings, revealing themes of increased motivation, enhanced engagement, perceived improvement in writing skills, user-friendly technology, and a strong preference for gamified learning. The findings suggest that well-designed digital gamification can effectively enhance both affective and linguistic outcomes in EFL writing instruction. Pedagogical implications highlight the importance of aligning game elements with instructional goals while balancing extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation.