The Impact of Gamification on Motivating Middle-Aged EFL Students and Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition in Jordan

Authors

  • Luqman M. Rababah

    English and Literature Department, Jadara University, Irbid 21110, Jordan
  • Marwan Harb Alqaryouti

    Department of English Language, Literature and Translation, Faculty of Arts, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13110, Jordan
  • Ibrahim Fathi Huwari

    Department of English, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Petra, Amman P.O. Box 961343, Jordan
  • Kamal Alruzzi

    Faculty of Arts, Department of English Language, Literature and Translation, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13110, Jordan
  • Fadi Maher Al-Khasawneh

    Department of English Language, College of Languages and Translation, King Khalid University, Abha 62521, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i1.7538
Received: 19 October 2024 | Revised: 9 November 2024 | Accepted: 11 November 2024 | Published Online: 8 January 2025

Abstract

Middle-aged Jordanians have significant challenges in learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL), despite its growing importance for academic, professional, and social success. Thus, this study examines how gamification attracts middle-aged learners to advance language learning and teaching. This research randomly assigned 60  participants to a gamified vocabulary app or control group. The experimental group employed six weeks of interactive games, quizzes, and competition to encourage and engage. Pre- and post-tests assessed vocabulary, while questionnaires and interviews assessed motivation. Gamification significantly improved vocabulary retention and acquisition in the experimental group over the control group. This study found that gamification promotes language acquisition and engagement among Jordanian middle-aged EFL learners.

Keywords:

Middle Aged Students; Vocabulary Acquisition; English Education; Gamification

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How to Cite

Rababah, L. M., Alqaryouti, M. H., Huwari, I. F., Alruzzi, K., & Al-Khasawneh, F. M. (2025). The Impact of Gamification on Motivating Middle-Aged EFL Students and Enhancing Vocabulary Acquisition in Jordan. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(1), 684–696. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i1.7538

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 1 (January 2025)

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Luqman M. Rababah, Marwan Harb Alqaryouti, Ibrahim Fathi Huwari, Kamal Alruzzi, Fadi Maher Al-Khasawneh

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.