DO GAMIFIED LANGUAGE LEARNING APPS WORK?

Gamified language learning applications are enjoying millions of downloads, and a

ertai degree of popular prestige, ith Duoli go ei g a ed Apple s app of the year for 2013. These apps use points systems, power ups and other game mechanics

to make the memorization of foreign vocabulary and grammar rules more engaging

and exciting, but are they able to make students proficient in their target language?

Thier effectiveness is the subject of debate, but their enjoyability, as demonstrated by

their popularity, is undeniable.

Applying game mechanics to learning is an old educational tool, but a natural fit with

smartphone and tablet technology has allowed the idea to flourish. Socialization

further drives engagement; earning a higher place on the scoreboard than their

Facebook friends is an effective motivator for people with a competitive streak. The

more cooperative among us might instead appreciate the fact that after each exercise

is a chance to read tips and suggestions from other users. Digital badges and golden

tracksuits, in addition to linguistic progress, are the rewards in store for those who

persevere with the course, though it should be admitted that a significant chunk of

Duoli go s i pressi e user ase does t last lo ger tha the first t o hours of use.

These not so little apps have big dreams. They are already aiming to shake up the

current language learning landscape and secure a larger portion of the market for

themselves. Duolingo has announced plans for an English language learning

certification programme, with French and other languages to follow shortly. Such

intentions are sure to make the incumbent industry leaders sit up and take notice, as

a cheap, but widely recognized certificate that can be earned from your bedroom

would be an attractive prospect for those struggling to pay for classes or

transportation. Duolingo claims that proficiency with their app is an excellent

predictor of IELTS success. Critics point out that potential issues with cheating need to

be addressed before Duolingo certificates are to be taken seriously. In many ways,

which colleges and workplaces, if any, decide to accept Duolingo certificates will end

up being more important than how accurate the test is itself, at least for potential

students and employees.

So far the earl skir ishes look pro isi g for the apps. Car egie Mello U i ersit s decision to partner with Duolingo gives it some much needed academic clout, and

lends some believability to claims that a student can reach the same degree of

proficiency by completing a Duolingo course as they can by completing the first

semester of a typical language course at college.

Dissenters say that gamified language learning apps only teach you vocabulary and

grammar rules rather than how to actually speak a language, but then again, these

same criticisms can be justifiably leveled at many traditional teaching methods. In

either case, the development of these apps should be seen as part of a wider trend

that is seeing education become more accessible by going online.

Gamified language learning apps are not without their drawbacks. Listening to a

polished prerecorded sentence is not the same as trying to understand what that

Ni aragua ta i dri er is tr i g to sa , a d it is t great pra ti e for the atural a k and forth of real conversation either. Formality and regional differences are specifics

ot est taught o e size fits all tea hi g soft are. It s also i teresti g to ote that these apps have become so popular at a time when language learning is on the

decline in the mainstream education system. Whether these apps will drive a

renewed enthusiasm in language learning, or simply confirm that it is the classroom,

ot the su je t, that is ausi g u popularit re ai s to e see . It does t look like these apps are helping our current academic year of high school Spanish students, but

perhaps e ll see this ha ge as the app gai s deeper permeation into this

demographic.

For all the short o i gs of la guage lear i g apps, the realit is that the do t eed to e perfe t, the just eed to e etter tha their o petitors. No, Duoli go o t teach you how to speak Spanish fluently, but then again, nothing does short of

moving country or surrounding yourself with native speakers and teachers of your

target language. However, these apps do level the playing field a little for those

without access to the very best resources. For now, gamified language learning apps

should be best thought of as a useful supplement to traditional face-to-face teaching

models, and its creators are quick to acknowledge as much. Although, if these

language learning apps continue to grow at the same rate that they have been doing,

it might just get the IELTs and TOEFLs of the world glancing over their shoulder.