Gamifying Language Testing through Web-Based Platforms

摘要

In this 21st century, technology has revolutionized almost all aspects of life, including language learning. However, the trend of testing has substantially remained unchanged. Since the ultimate goal of language testing is to judge and gather information about learners' proficiency, one might archetypically describe it as either having students sit at their tables with paper and pencils trying to answer a number of questions individually and in a very formal manner, or asking them to perform something like a presentation or role play in front of the examiner. Those kinds of tests tend to bring a nerve-racking atmosphere which might hinder students in demonstrating their actual competence. Relating to the issue, this study dwells upon the use of web-based platforms in the gamification of language testing. Gamification is the adoption of game elements for non-game purposes. By promoting gamified testing via web-based platforms, this research seeks to make language assessments more fun and motivating, and of course less terrifying for learners.