Gamified AI for Fostering Vocabulary Retention and Motivation: A Phenomenological Study of Uzbek EFL Learners

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54855/

Keywords:

Gamified AI platforms, Vocabulary retention, Motivation, Cognitive Load Theory, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Uzbek EFL learners

Abstract

The increasing integration of gamified artificial intelligence (AI) platforms in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education offers promising prospects for vocabulary development, yet their cognitive and motivational impacts remain inadequately explored in culturally distinct contexts. While these platforms employ adaptive algorithms and game mechanics to customize learning experiences and sustain engagement, they may also generate disparities between design assumptions and the actual socio-technological contexts of learners, particularly in resource-constrained, teacher-centric educational systems like that of Uzbekistan. This research addressed a gap by doing a phenomenological inquiry grounded on Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), analyzing the engagement of 24 Uzbek female EFL learners with a gamified AI vocabulary platform across four weeks of casual use. Data were collected using digital reflective diaries including prompts designed for language retention and motivation, and were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings identified three interconnected categories: (1) Enhancing cognitive architecture through gamified scaffolding (e.g., minimizing extraneous load via micro-task sequencing and augmenting germane load through adaptive feedback loops), (2) Regulating motivation through intrinsic gamification cues (e.g., fostering autonomy through meaningful choices and sustaining engagement through mastery-oriented progression), and (3) Navigating socio-cultural and technological ambiguities (e.g., tension between gamified simplicity and academic complexity and digital literacy disparities exacerbating extraneous load). The results demonstrate that the efficacy of gamified AI systems depends not just on algorithmic customization but also on its alignment with learners' cognitive capacities, emotional needs, and contextual constraints.

Author Biographies

  • Barno Sayfutdinovna Abdullaeva, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs, Tashkent State Pedagogical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

    Professor Dr. Barno Abdullaeva, born in Tashkent in 1974, earned her PhD in Pedagogical Sciences in 2002 and her DSc in 2007 at Nizami Tashkent State Pedagogical University, where she is currently Professor. Her research focuses on the methodological and didactic foundations of interdisciplinary communication in mathematics education. She is the author of multiple monographs, textbooks, manuals, and more than 150 scholarly publications, and has developed six certified educational software systems. Prof. Abdullaeva has been honored with numerous national awards, including the “Excellent Public Education Worker” and the Independence Anniversary medals. She chairs the Scientific Council on Pedagogical Sciences at her university and serves on the Scientific and Technical Council under the Ministry of Innovative Development.
    ORCID:     https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3648-4601

  • Mustafo Zulkhonov, University of Science and Technologies, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

    Dr. Mustafa Juraevich Zulkhonov, born in 1961 in Chirakchi District, earned his degree in German and English Philology in 1987 and his PhD in 1998 with a dissertation on consonant combinations in German and Uzbek. He has taught German and linguistics at several major universities, including the National University of Uzbekistan and the State University of World Languages. Since 2025, he has been Acting Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages at the University of Science and Technology. Dr. Zulkhonov is the author of several textbooks and over 100 academic papers. He is married with four children. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7094-1541

  • Dilrabo Elova, Department of Linguistics, Alisher Navo’i, Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

    Dr. Dilrabo Elova, born in 1983, completed her BA in Uzbek Philology (2004) and MA in Linguistics (2006) at Bukhara State University. She earned her PhD in Philology in 2022 with a dissertation on stylistic tagging and linguistic support for the Uzbek Language Corpus. She is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Uzbek Linguistics at the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature. Her research spans sociolinguistics, computational linguistics, and applied stylistics, and she has contributed to major projects such as the Uzbek National Corpus and UzWordNet. Dr. Elova has 46 publications and holds three database certificates in information systems. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2329-1811

  • Jamshid Pardaev, Department of Finance and Tourism, Termez University of Economics and Service, Uzbekistan

    Dr. Jamshid Pardaev, born in 1988, completed his studies at the Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry (2011) and earned his Master’s degree in Economics from the Tashkent State University of Economics (2013). He worked in finance and banking institutions while researching enterprise taxation, earning his PhD in Economics in 2024. He is currently Acting Associate Professor in the Department of Finance and Statistics at Termez University of Economics and Service. Dr. Pardaev has published one monograph, one textbook, and over 30 articles (including eight Scopus-indexed papers). He is a recipient of the “Shukhrat” Medal, the “Active Entrepreneur” Badge, and the “Dustlik” Order, and serves as a Deputy of the Surkhandarya Regional Council of People’s Deputies. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8319-6906

  • Laylo Usmonova, Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Samarkand State Medical University, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

    Dr. Laylo Usmonova, born in 1989 in Samarkand, earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Philosophy and Aesthetics from Samarkand State University. She taught at the Samarkand School of Arts while researching aesthetic education, later serving as lecturer at the Samarkand Institute of Foreign Languages and as a research applicant at Mirzo Ulugbek National University. Since 2020, she has been Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Humanitarian Sciences at Samarkand State Medical University. She completed her PhD in 2021 on miniature art in Central Asia and has authored two monographs, a textbook, a teaching manual, and over 50 publications. Her current work focuses on philosophical comparative studies and the dynamics of scientific knowledge. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7269-9688

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Published

2026-01-01

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 7 (2025): Special Issue: AI-mediated Informal Digital Learning of English (AIIDLE): Insights, Challenges, and Practice

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Research Articles

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How to Cite

Gamified AI for Fostering Vocabulary Retention and Motivation: A Phenomenological Study of Uzbek EFL Learners. (2026). Computer-Assisted Language Learning Electronic Journal, 26(7), 117-136. https://doi.org/10.54855/