Gamified Learning: Are Vietnamese EFL Learners Ready Yet?

Given the strong empirical evidence, which confirms the relationship between the use of game elements and increased learning motivation, gamification has recently become a concept that starts drawing attention in the field of English language teaching (ELT). However, gamified learning is still under-presented in ELT research. The current research explores the extent to which Vietnamese learners of English are ready for and their attitudes toward online-based gamified learning. The study draws on data collected from survey questionnaires with 147 students and focus groups with 12 students. The findings indicate that gamification has started taking a certain role in English learning both within and beyond classrooms in the context of the study. Students are technologically well-prepared for online-based gamification and hold positive attitudes towards gamified learning. However, online gamification is being mainly used to assist vocabulary learning.