Gamification narrative rewards in the Spanish as a foreign language classroom

Abstract

This research aims to conduct a theoretical review of the benefits of gamification in teaching Spanish as a foreign language and to know what narrative rewards are and how they are applied in the classroom. Therefore, it aims to examine the impact of two gamified sessions on learning, motivation, classroom climate, behaviour, and overall satisfaction of students, enrolled at the University of West Timişoara, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Spanish language specialization. In conducting this experiment, quantitative and qualitative techniques were used. The results showed that the elements of gamification, including narrative rewards, produce a significant improvement in classroom participation, flow, sense of well-being, autonomy, and loss of the notion of time, and support the conclusion that the use of gamification is enjoyable and motivating for students and facilitates the acquisition of Spanish as a foreign language.