THE EFFECTS OF AI-DRIVEN GAMIFICATION ON ENHANCING VOCABULARY RETENTION FOR EFL STUDENTS AT A VIETNAMESE UNIVERSITY

Abstract

The ability to retain new vocabulary is critical in English as a foreign language (EFL) learning,
yet traditional vocabulary instruction frequently relies on rote memorisation and decontextualised drills
that produce only shortterm gains. Gamification, the use of game elements such as points, badges and
leaderboards, offers a way to turn practice into an engaging activity, while artificial intelligence (AI)
algorithms can adapt pacing and feedback to individual learners. This article reports a mixedmethods
study investigating the effects of an AIdriven gamified intervention on firstyear university students’
vocabulary retention in Vietnam.