A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Digital Game-Based Language Learning on Second Language Development

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6239-691-3_18How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Digital game-based language learning; second language development; meta-analysis; effectiveness; moderator

Abstract

Digital game-based language learning (DGBLL) has garnered increasing attention from researchers for its potential to enhance learner engagement, foster collaboration, and facilitate knowledge acquisition. However, the impact of DGBLL on second language development (SLD) remains debated with considerable variability across studies. This meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of DGBLL and identify potential moderating factors that may influence its efficacy in both English and Chinese contexts. A total of 49 quasi-experimental and experimental studies were identified from seven databases, yielding 73 independent samples. Data analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.3 software, with Cohen’s d used to calculate effect sizes for both overall effect analysis and moderator analysis. The results show that DGBLL has a large and positive effect on SLD (d = 1.128), with its effectiveness influenced by moderators including educational level, language proficiency, game type, learning environment, learning focus and treatment intensity. These findings suggest the need for educators to refine DGBLL strategies and design more personalized instructional programs that address learners’ individual needs. Future research could explore the impact of DGBLL across diverse language background and its effects on learners’ emotions, motivation, and self-efficacy.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Yabin Zhang
AU  - Fei Li
AU  - Fei Xie
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/31
TI  - A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Digital Game-Based Language Learning on Second Language Development
BT  - Proceedings of the 2026 5th International Conference on Educational Innovation and Multimedia Technology (EIMT 2026)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 165
EP  - 177
SN  - 2667-128X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6239-691-3_18
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6239-691-3_18
ID  - Zhang2026
ER  -