Abbyfication: a grammar-based word game / En-hui Abrielle Mohamed Johan Sammy and Sofwah Md Nawi

Learning English grammar can be tricky and off-putting, especially for English as a second language (ESL). Due to the different rules to comprehend and apply, the learners’ understanding depends greatly on their vocabulary size. Books have always been the main tool for teaching and learning but they are limited in usage and adaptability. Even supplementary resources such as educational videos may not be enough as the learners only learn to understand and not to apply. Therefore, game-based language learning is an alternative for ESL students because it holds their attention span for a good amount of time. It also fosters interactivity between learners during classes and builds better teamwork as the players need to work together to solve the game. Hence, ‘Abbyfication’, a grammar word game is developed to help improve ESL learners’ vocabulary based on grammatical parts of speech, teach them how to identify vocabulary in an entertaining way, and provide an alternative way for students to revise. Players have five tries to guess the grammar word of the day according to parts of speech such as adjectives and nouns which can help them learn English vocabulary more easily. As there are over 100 words available, ‘Abbyfication’ can be used daily for a daily revision or teaching tool as it creates a fun environment for learning. Learners can work together in figuring out the grammar word of the day, which increases their participation in class, and improves critical and advanced thinking abilities with digital game-based language learning.