Design and Evaluation of a Game-based Language Learning Web Application for English Language Learners in Thailand

Abstract

This paper proposes a game-based language learning web application, ELA-TIGA, developed for junior high school students to support their English language self-learning. This web application was designed by using a waterfall model and System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) on the Moodle platform and Database Management System (DBMS). The content and games in the ELA-TIGA app were framed by the Task-Input-Genre-Assessment teaching model for language learning. This preliminary study investigated the participating teachers' application evaluation. The participants were sixteen English language teachers from sixteen junior high schools in a north eastern province in Thailand. The teachers were trained how to use the ELA-TIGA app and later tried out the app with their students. After that, they were asked to complete a questionnaire with close-ended and open-ended questions. The findings reveal the teachers' positive feedback about the application’s content and instructional design, user interface, and game and interaction design. Besides, the teachers claimed that a variety of games are easy to use and appropriate for their students' English ability. The application can also motivate their students to learn English. They expected to fully use ELA-TIGA in the near future and believed it would be very useful for their students, especially during an online learning period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.