Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

First Supervisor/Advisor

Mr. Joachim Tamba

Second Supervisor/Advisor

Dr. Nipael Mrutu

Department

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Abstract

Grammar is fundamental to language. Historically, approaches to teaching English grammar have undergone many changes. However, there is much disagreement as to the effectiveness of different approaches for teaching English grammar to learners since they view English grammar as boring. The world of education is today confronted with the demands of instilling digital literacy and twenty-first-century skills to all learners to function properly in the emerging fourth industrial revolution. Embracing gamification is unavoidable, especially with the emergence of millennials, whose lives are greatly influenced by digital technology and who prefer to study in a fun, engaging, and motivating environment. Thus, the focus of this study was to explore the use of gamification as a technique in teaching and learning English grammar. The study adopted a qualitative case study design and participants who were involved were 29 form two learners and 1 teacher of English in a private secondary girls’ school in Mombasa County. The data was collected using face to face semi-structured interview guide, observation, and document analysis. The collected data was analysed systematically. The study findings revealed that the use of gamification as an emergent teaching technique is not only effective in improving the teaching and learning of English grammar among ESL learners, but also serves as an invaluable tool to increasing student motivation, engagement and to instilling interest and a sense of enthusiasm towards English grammar acquisition. However, much as gamification has its own benefits, there are challenges linked with its use. In this regard, education practitioners need to have a thorough understanding of these challenges in order to effectively address them.

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