Using Digital Games for Enhancing EFL Grammar and Vocabulary in Higher Education

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i20.16159

Keywords:

Digital games, grammar, vocabulary, EFL writing, higher education.

Abstract


The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of digital games to enhance English as a Foreign Language (EFL) grammar and vocabulary in the English Major of Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, in southern Ecuador. A total of 68 students from B1 level, according to the Common European Frame-work of Reference for Languages (CEFR), participated in this study. All the par-ticipants were enrolled in two different classes of a Communicative Grammar course. A mixed-method approach was used to collect and analyze data in this study. Pre and post-questionnaires as well as writing rubrics were applied as in-struments. Digital games were implemented throughout an academic term of 5 months in which students received permanent feedback. The results show that digital games were useful to improve learners´ grammar in aspects concerning the use of modals, gerunds, and infinitives; also, students showed an improvement in their vocabulary knowledge, especially in topics related to jobs and education.

Author Biography

Luz Castillo-Cuesta, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja

Luz Castillo-Cuesta, Master of Science in Teaching English as a Foreign Language at Nova Southeastern University of Florida, U.S.A. Master of Teaching English as a Foreign Language at Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), Ecuador. Undergraduate studies in Education: EFL teaching, Professor for thirteen years at UTPL, former coordinator of the English Major and the Academic Board of the English Major. Member of the Research Group EFL Learning, Teaching and Technology and the EFL Teachers’ Network in Ecuador. Linguistics Doctoral student at Universidad Nacional del Rosario, Argentina. Co-author of different indexed articles and four book chapters.

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Published

2020-10-19

How to Cite

Castillo-Cuesta, L. (2020). Using Digital Games for Enhancing EFL Grammar and Vocabulary in Higher Education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(20), pp. 116–129. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i20.16159

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Papers