Using Gamification and Augmented Reality to Encourage Japanese Second Language Students to Speak English

Abstract: Language anxiety is one of the key problems that hinder language learners to speak a target second language. This problem is especially relevant for Japanese second language learners, who tend to have difficulties in English. To alleviate this problem, researchers have succeeded in leveraging modern technologies to help second language learners practice various language skills, including speaking. These research papers introduce modern technologies into the field of education, which is the guide and basis of this paper. This study aims to help Japanese second language students to overcome the barrier of speaking English by designing a game-based language learning tool that incorporates elements of Augmented Reality (AR) technology. In this study, we try to encourage students to speak English by designing an AR-aided cooperative game. The GOAT (Gamified cOmunicAtion Tool) application was developed with gamification and AR technology. The tool was evaluated with 39 second language students at the different stages of its development during a period of eight months. The results suggest that the GOAT app has a high potential to help students to overcome their language anxiety and ultimately the barrier of speaking English. The findings of this study serve to prove that the use of gamification in the designed tool has a positive influence on second language learners. In particular, the GOAT app was found to promote students’ confidence and to encourage communications in a public setting. The enhanced confidence and more frequent communications ultimately lead Japanese students to be able to converse in English in a more natural and fluent manner. Nonetheless, the evidence with regard to whether the use of AR elements imposes a direct positive influence on second language learners’ confidence is not sufficient enough. Further research along this path is recommended for a more concrete conclusion to be made.