GAMIFICATION AS A TOOL FOR ENHANCING MOTIVATION IN ELT: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstrak

This literature review investigates the significant role of gamification in enhancing student motivation within educational contexts, with a specific focus on its applicability to English Language Teaching (ELT). Facing persistent challenges in maintaining student engagement and fostering intrinsic motivation in traditional settings, educators are increasingly exploring innovative strategies. Gamification, defined as the strategic application of game-design elements in non-game contexts, emerges as a promising pedagogical tool. This review systematically analyzes key studies, including Baah et al. (2023) and Wulan et al. (2024), to synthesize findings on gamification's impact. The analysis reveals that gamification effectively boosts student motivation by fostering a sense of achievement, encouraging healthy competition, and providing immediate feedback through elements like points, badges, and leaderboards. It also promotes active participation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, aligning directly with the Government Regulation Number 32 of 2013 concerning National Education Standards, which mandates interactive, enjoyable, challenging, and motivating learning environments. While acknowledging the substantial benefits, the review also addresses practical challenges such as design complexity and the potential for over-reliance on extrinsic rewards. The conclusion highlights that, with thoughtful design and balanced implementation, gamification can transform ELT into a more dynamic and engaging experience, fostering a lasting enthusiasm for language learning.