Transition from Regular English Instruction to Bilingual Education: An Experience Using Gamification

Gamification delivers evidence of being an innovative approach that fosters student engagement and enhances proficiency in language education. This study aims is to examine the effects of gamification on the transition from traditional English language instruction to bilingual education in Manta-Ecuador. It uses an interpretative paradigm and a mixed-method research approach. The participants were 81 students attending a private high school located in Manta-Ecuador. Data collection instruments included flash surveys, focus groups, observation forms, and pre-test/post-test assessments of overall English proficiency. The researcher designed an educational intervention incorporating common gamification elements to reduce non-flow emotions and improve English proficiency. The findings indicate that classrooms using gamification experienced notable improvements. However, the results also revealed that students learn more effectively and experience less stress when activities are not graded. These results highlight the potential of gamification as an effective teaching strategy but also as a means to reduce student stress in high-pressure high school environments. Future research should explore the long-term effects of gamification and its impact on different levels of English proficiency.