A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON ENGAGEMENT IN GAMIFIED FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES.

Abstract

This qualitative research explores the impact of gamification in foreign language teaching on the engagement of participants in three workshops within a university course in northern Italy. Specifically, the three activities encompass escape rooms, CodyRoby, and Rospino, addressing a gap in the literature concerning the application of this method. The study compares the engagement experienced during the workshops with the level of engagement expressed by students for their favourite games and further investigates the potential influence of educational background on engagement across these activities. Through the use of questionnaires, the research employs an descriptive approach that has enabled the identification of a significant increase in the degree of student engagement based on various components. Ultimately, the study contributes valuable insights into gamification's role in fostering engagement in educational settings, with implications for innovative teaching methods.