Gamification in the University EFL Classroom: Enhancing Engagement and Motivation

This classroom-based study investigates the impact of gamification on engagement and motivation in university-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes. The intervention was implemented with 50 first-year students at Asian International University over a six-week period. Gamification elements included points, badges, leaderboards, and digital quizzes through Kahoot and Quizizz. Observations revealed increased student participation, improved vocabulary retention, and a more positive classroom atmosphere. Informal student feedback indicated that gamification transformed lessons into enjoyable and competitive learning experiences, encouraging students to prepare and participate more actively. The findings support the use of gamification as an effective pedagogical tool for enhancing student engagement, provided that competition and collaboration are balanced and activities are meaningfully aligned with course objectives.