Serious game design model for language learning in the cultural context

Area of Science:

• Educational Technology
• Applied Linguistics
• Game Design

Background:

• Digital learning environments and mobile applications are increasingly prevalent in education.
• Existing mobile language learning games often prioritize entertainment over a holistic design approach.
• There is a need for culturally sensitive and theoretically grounded language learning games.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a theoretical model for designing language learning games within a specific cultural context.
• To develop and evaluate a Language Learning Game (LLG) based on the proposed model.
• To introduce specialized heuristics for evaluating the cultural conformance of serious games.

Main Methods:

• Development of a theoretical model integrating sociocultural theory and gamification principles.
• Systematic design and development process including prototyping and validation of the LLG.
• Comprehensive evaluation using usability testing, specialized heuristics, and quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design.

Main Results:

• The developed LLG achieved an overall usability score of 90%.
• Evaluation results indicated that the LLG significantly outperformed a traditional mobile application and a conventional learning group.
• Specialized heuristics were proposed to assess the cultural context integration in serious games.

Conclusions:

• The proposed theoretical model provides a framework for creating effective and culturally relevant language learning games.
• The developed LLG demonstrates the efficacy of integrating sociocultural theory and gamification for mobile language learning.
• The study contributes novel evaluation heuristics for serious games, emphasizing cultural context.