A Look Back: Can “Gamifying” Writing Instruction For ELLs Work?

(I’m republishing my best posts from the second half of 2024. You can see the entire list of them here)

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A new study just came out highlighting the effectiveness of “gamifying” writing instruction for “upper intermediate” English Language Learners.

The study is titled Game on: enhancing argumentative writing with digital gamification. That links is behind a paywall. However, the authors have placed a link here that says fifty people can access it.

In the study, they had students use an online game called “Argument Arena.” I assume they created it since I can’t find it online. However, it sounds very similar to the online game Franksenstories (see “FRANKENSTORIES” IS A QUIZIZZ/KAHOOT-LIKE GAME FOR WRITING). ADDENDUM: Groovelit is another good option.

I haven’t tried the online game since I’ve just been teaching ELL Newcomers the past few years, and I don’t think it works with that English proficiency level. However, I’d give it a try if I was teaching Intermediates or above, or even English-proficient students.

I have, though, tried teaching writing through games using mini-whiteboards. You can read about those experiences at A LOOK BACK: HOW I TURNED A LESSON ON WRITING GOOD SUMMARIES INTO A GAME – IT WORKED! and at THIS NEW EDUTOPIA VIDEO THAT TURNED WRITING ARGUMENT PARAGRAPHS INTO A GAME HAS GIVEN ME AN IDEA…

Have you had any success at “gamifying” writing instruction?