The effects of gamification on improving contextual competence of digital slang among generation Z
Keywords:
Gamification, Digital Slang, Contextual Competence, Generation Z, Applied LinguisticsAbstract
This study investigates the impact of gamification on improving the contextual competence of digital slang among Generation Z learners. Using a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest control group design, 112 undergraduate students participated in a 10-week intervention. The experimental group utilized a gamified platform featuring progression indicators and immediate feedback, while the control group followed traditional instruction. Findings reveal that the gamified approach significantly enhanced students' ability to use digital slang accurately within socio-pragmatic contexts (). The results also indicate that gamification fostered higher intrinsic motivation and sustained engagement throughout the intervention. This research contributes to applied linguistics by providing an empirical framework for integrating game mechanics into socio-pragmatic instruction, offering practical implications for educators designing modern, digital-native language environments.
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