Gamification as a Tool to Enhance Speaking Confidence in Students

Josue Reinaldo Bonilla Tenesaca; José Alexis Fuentes Cruz; Jacqueline Elizabeth  Lopez Lopez

doi:10.69639/arandu.v12i4.1782

Gamification as a Tool to Enhance Speaking Confidence in Students

Autores/as

Josue Reinaldo Bonilla Tenesaca Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6748-2345
José Alexis Fuentes Cruz Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8915-3377
Jacqueline Elizabeth Lopez Lopez Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1765-8103

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69639/arandu.v12i4.1782

Palabras clave:

gamificación, sistema de recompensas, expresión oral, confianza

Resumen

The aim of this particular research is to investigate the influence of gamification via a reward system on speaking confidence of the eighth-grade English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners at Unidad Educativa Selva Alegre. The study was based on a mixed-methods research design that integrated both quantitative and qualitative data collected by means of pre- and post-tests, Likert-scale surveys, and classroom observations during a four-week intervention. The gamified activities consisted of group challenges, quizzes, and interactive speaking tasks in which student got rewards based on their active participation. Descriptive statistics were utilized to reveal the numerical shifts in the performance of the students, whereas the thematic analysis was adopted to interpret the behaviors that were observable. It was found from the results that after the implementation, the students declared higher levels of motivation and confidence, lower nervousness, and larger readiness to take part in English-speaking tasks. The classroom observations agreed with the gradual improvements in fluency, body language, and engagement. The conclusions state that the adoption of gamified reward systems can contribute to the creation of a positive learning atmosphere which aids the students in getting rid of their anxiety and speaking more assertively in English.

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Publicado

2025-12-26

Cómo citar

Bonilla Tenesaca, J. R., Fuentes Cruz, J. A., & Lopez Lopez, J. E. (2025). Gamification as a Tool to Enhance Speaking Confidence in Students. Arandu UTIC, 12(4), 1800–1811. https://doi.org/10.69639/arandu.v12i4.1782