The Use of the Snakes and Ladders Game to Improve English Speaking Skills in EFL Primary Students

Resumen

This study explored the effectiveness of the game Snakes and Ladders as a tool for improving the oral skills of A1-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students at a public school in Carchi, Ecuador. The main objective was to determine whether the game promoted oral participation, vocabulary use, and fluency in an interactive classroom setting. The intervention focused on personal information and basic vocabulary, incorporating oral activities such as asking and answering simple questions during the game. This study adopted a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative methods. Data collection included a pre-test, a post-test, assessment rubrics, and self-assessment surveys administered to students to evaluate linguistic progress and affective variables. The results showed a notable improvement in students' oral expression skills, particularly in fluency, vocabulary production, and active participation. Furthermore, the students demonstrated increased motivation and confidence during oral expression activities. Therefore, the Snakes and Ladders game created a pleasant, low-stress environment, which encouraged spontaneous language use and interaction among the students. Overall, the results supported the integration of gamified strategies into elementary school English as a Foreign Language classrooms as a practical approach to fostering communicative competence and positive learning experiences.