ADOPTING LANGUAGE LEARNING GAMES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL LEARNERS: STRATEGIES FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF EARLY ADOLESCENTS

Middle school learners, as early adolescents, face unique cognitive, emotional, and social challenges in language acquisition. Traditional methods often fail to meet their developmental needs, leading to disengagement. This study explores the adoption of language learning games as a strategy to enhance language proficiency, motivation, and classroom collaboration. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research evaluates the impact of game-based learning over a 12-week intervention. The findings reveal significant improvements in vocabulary retention, grammatical accuracy, and peer interaction. Additionally, games reduced learners’ anxiety and fostered a positive emotional connection to language learning. Practical challenges, such as the need for teacher training and resource accessibility, are addressed, alongside recommendations for future research. This study concludes that language learning games provide a holistic approach to meeting the needs of early adolescents, making the learning process engaging and effective.