Digital Innovation and Gamification in Language Learning: Emerging Technologies, Pedagogies, and Learner Experiences

Digital technologies continue to reshape language teaching and learning, creating new opportunities for learners to engage with languages in interactive, personalized, and meaningful ways. Building on longstanding traditions of computer-assisted and technology-assisted language learning, recent digital innovations have expanded the possibilities for supporting language acquisition across diverse learning contexts. In particular, gamification and game-based learning have gained increasing attention for their potential to enhance learner motivation, engagement, interaction, and sustained participation while supporting the development of language knowledge and skills. Digital tools and gameful learning environments may also provide learners with opportunities for repeated practice, immediate feedback, authentic communication, and vocabulary development. As technologies and pedagogical approaches continue to evolve, there is a growing need to examine how digital innovation, gamification, and game-based learning can be effectively designed, implemented, and evaluated to support language learning and acquisition.Despite the growing integration of digital technologies, gamification, and game-based learning into language education, important questions remain regarding how these innovations can be designed and implemented to produce meaningful and sustainable learning outcomes. Existing research spans diverse technologies, learner populations, language skills, and educational contexts, making it important to better understand not only whether digital innovations are effective, but also how and under what conditions they support language acquisition, learner engagement, motivation, and participation.This Research Topic aims to bring together current research examining innovative uses of digital technologies and gameful approaches in language learning. It seeks to advance understanding of the pedagogical design, implementation, and evaluation of technology-assisted language learning across formal and informal settings. By highlighting empirical evidence, emerging practices, and theoretical perspectives, the collection aims to identify effective approaches, address implementation challenges, and provide insights for researchers, educators, and designers seeking to create engaging and effective digital language learning experiences.This Research Topic welcomes contributions examining digital innovation, gamification, and game-based learning across diverse language learning contexts, populations, and target languages. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: gamification and digital game-based language learning; computer-assisted and technology-assisted language learning; mobile and immersive language learning; AI-supported language learning; vocabulary acquisition and development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills; learner motivation, engagement, self-regulation, and interaction in digital environments; personalized and adaptive learning; innovative instructional and game design; and the evaluation of learning processes and outcomes. We particularly encourage studies that connect technological innovation with pedagogical and theoretical perspectives. The Research Topic welcomes original empirical research using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, as well as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, conceptual/theoretical papers, and innovative design- or practice-oriented studies. Topic editors: Larisa Olesova, Qian Xu, Suzhen Duan, Rong Zhang, Zhuo Zhang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86310/digital-innovation-and-gamification-in-language-learning-emerging-technologies-pedagogies-and-learner-experiences