Gamification of language learning is a clear trend of recent years. Widespread use of smartphones and the rise of mobile gaming as a popular leisure activity contribute to the popularity of gamification, as application developers can rely on an unprecedented reach of their products and expect acceptance of game-like elements by the users. In terms of content, however, most mobile apps implement traditional language learning activities, such as reading, listening, translating, and solving quizzes. This article discusses gamification of learning natural language grammar with a mobile app WordBricks, based on a concept of more user-centric lab-style experimental activities. WordBricks challenges users to create syntactically accurate sentences by arranging jigsaw-like colored blocks. Users receive instantaneous feedback on the syntactic compatibility each time any two blocks are placed together. This Scratch-inspired virtual language lab harnesses grammar models used in computational linguistics and allows users to discover underlying grammatical constructions through experimentation. The system was evaluated in a number of diverse settings and shows how the principles of gamification can be applied to second-language acquisition. We discuss general features that enable the users to engage in game-playing behavior and analyze open challenges, relevant for a variety of language learning systems.

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Learning a language is challenging and it is important that learners are kept motivated throughout the process. Many Irish primary school children are not particularly motivated to learn the language and there are few Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) resources available to them. WordBricks is an app that enables learners to construct only grammatically correct sentences. It leverages a visual learning paradigm and has a Scratch-like interface. It was originally developed for English, and more recently has been expanded to cater for Irish. This article investigates if using Irish WordBricks is both suitable and usable for primary school learners, if it is pedagogically appropriate for them and if it is enjoyable for them. The WordBricks app was tested by five classes of two different age groups in a typical school in Ireland. This article reports on the results of the WordBricks deployment and the feedback of students and teachers.

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