The Impact of Game-Based Learning on Promoting EFL Students’ Speaking Skill. The Case of Second Year Students of English at Boulhadj Bouchaib University Centre

Abstract

With the growing expansion of technology and the coming of groundbreaking technological tools, video games are deployed. In the recent years, the internet has turned the online communication world from something independent and stagnant into one with the ability to be collaborative and social. Digital games have evolved from very simplistic and plain games to become one of the major virtual entertainment tools. Digital games go beyond the traditional media tools to an immersive developed gameplay with a plot, characters, and other features proffered by technology. The present work main goal is to study the impact of game- based learning on promoting students’ speaking skill and vocabulary along with examining the effect of gaming on their proficiency and achievements. This survey was carried in the department of English and letters at Belhadj Bouchaib University centre of Ain Temouchent. For the sample involved in this research, second year EFL students precisely gamers are addressed via their group facebook to answer a questionnaire. Besides, a structured interview is designed to oral expression teachers in order to collect data. The gathered data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. On balance, results indicate that video games have massive advantages reflected in the learning process among which they effect greatly players’ (students) speaking abilities and enrich their vocabulary even pronunciation. In addition, the data revealed that digital games do have significant outcomes and influence on students’ achievements including the improvement of soft skills and spatial skills; problem solving and critical thinking. Finally, this study shows that game-based learning is serving students’ needs and affecting positively their speaking language development as well as their speaking skill.