Game-Based Technologies as a Tool for Developing Communicative Competence in Primary School Students within a Student-Centered Educational Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.585.606Keywords:
communicative competence, primary school students, game-based learning, individualisation, role-playing games, multimodal learning, digital educationAbstract
Aim. The aim of the study is to determine the pedagogical potential of game-based technologies for developing communicative competence in primary school students, taking into account their individual psychological and sensory characteristics.
Methods. The research methods include theoretical analysis (of scientific sources on communicative competence, game-based learning, developmental psychology), comparative review (of models by Dell Hymes, Michael Canale & Merrill Swain, Michael Halliday, Claire Kramsch), and empirical generalisation (of current international and Ukrainian practices in game-based learning). A typology of educational games was compiled (role-playing, dramatized, didactic), followed by the development of a model for adapting games to children’s individual characteristics (temperament, motivation, communication level, perception style). Specific examples of games and digital platforms (e.g., Wordwall, Toontastic, Classdojo) were analysed.
Results. It was revealed that each type of game contributes to the development of certain components of communicative competence – linguistic, strategic, sociocultural, emotional. The adaptation model allows matching game formats to the Student’s personality profile, thereby increasing engagement, confidence, and social inclusion. Multimodal games enhance interaction through verbal and non-verbal means, while digital tools ensure differentiated learning paths.
Conclusion. Game-based technologies serve as a powerful tool for developing communicative competence in primary education. Their correct adaptation provides an emotionally safe, inclusive, and interactive environment that supports both socialisation and language development in Students.
Downloads
References
Bachman, L. F., & Palmer, A. S. (1996). Language testing in practice: Designing and developing useful language tests. Oxford University Press.
Bourgonjon, J., De Grove, F., De Smet, C., Van Looy, J., Soetaert, R., & Valcke, M. (2013). Teachers’ perceptions about the use of video games in education. Computers & Education, 67, 21–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.02.010
Boyle, E. A., Hainey, T., Connolly, T. M., Erpe, J., Ott, M., Lim, T., Ninaus, M., Ribeiro, C., & Pereira, J. (2016). An update to the systematic literature review of empirical evidence on computer games and serious games. Computers & Education, 94, 178–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2015.11.003
Bruner, J. (1983). Child’s talk: Learning to use language. W. W. Norton & Company.
Caillois, R. (2001). Man, play and games (M. Barash, Trans.). University of Illinois Press. (Original work published 1958)
Cakarova, M., Planka, T., Culenova, M., & Olah, M. (2025). The functioning of centers for children and families. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 21–28.
Canale M., & Swain M. (1980). Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied Linguistics, 1(1), 1–47. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/I.1.1
Chos, S. (2021). Nestandartni formy rozvytku komunikatyvnoi kompetentnosti uchniv pochatkovykh klasiv NUSH [Non-standard forms of developing communicative competence in primary school pupils within NUS]. Molodyi Vchenyi – Young Scientist, 9(97), 24–27. https://doi.org/10.32839/2304-5809/2021-9-97-6
Cook, G. (2000). Language play, language learning. OUP Oxford.
Dahri, N. A., Yahaya, N., Al-Rahmi, W. M., Almuqren, L., Almgren, A. S., Alshimai, A., & Al-Adwan, A. S. (2025). The effect of AI gamification on students’ engagement and academic achievement: SEM analysis perspectives. IEEE Access, 13, 70791 – 70810. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3560567
Debnarova, J., Libova, L., Bachrata, Z., Nagyova, I., & Forgon, T. (2025). The impact of tele-education on the mobilization of mothers post cesarean section. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 39–47.
Durrani, U., Hujran, O., & Al-Adwan, A. S. (2022). CrossQuestion game: A group-based assessment for gamified flipped classroom experience using the ARCS model. Contemporary Educational Technology, 14(2), Article ep355. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11568
Duzha-Zadorozhna, M. P. (2001). Rolʹ hry u formuvanni komunikatyvnykh navychok na zaniatti z inozemnoi movy [The role of games in developing communication skills in foreign language classes]. Visnyk Natsionalnoho Universytetu «Lvivska Politekhnika», 419, 8–11.
Dzhendzhero, O., & Horieieva, O. (2023). Teatralizovani ihry yak instrument rozvytku komunikatyvnoi kompetentnosti molodshykh shkoliariv [Dramatic games as a tool for developing communicative competence of young learners]. Ukrainskyi Pedahohichnyi Zhurnal – Ukrainian Pedagogical Journal, 4, 147–156. https://doi.org/10.32405/2411-1317-2023-4-147-156.
Fröbel, F. W. A. (1887). The education of man (W. N. Hailmann, Trans.). Sidney Appleton. (Original Work Published 1826) https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101068982626&seq=2
Gee, J. P. (2007). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
Gul, A., Ullah, F., Humayun, M., & Naz, A. (2025). Women with HIV/AIDS and healthcare stigma. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 48–58.
Hainey, T., Connolly, T. M., Boyle, E. A., Wilson, A., & Razak, A. (2016). A systematic literature review of games-based learning empirical evidence in primary education. Computers & Education, 102, 202–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.09.001
Halaievska, L. V. (2019). Rolʹ interaktyvnoho navchannia v rozvytku komunikatyvnoi kompetentnosti uchniv [The role of interactive learning in developing students’ communicative competence]. Visnyk Luhanskoho Natsionalnoho Universytetu Imeni Tarasa Shevchenka: Pedahohichni Nauky, 3(326), 126–134.
Halliday, M., Matthiessen, C. M., Halliday, M., & Matthiessen, C. (2014). An introduction to functional grammar (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203783771
Hasaj, R. (2025). On the problem of the common good and paternalism. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 59–70.
Hymes, D. H. (1972). On communicative competence. In J. B. Pride & J. Holmes (Eds.), Sociolinguistics: Selected readings (pp. 269–293). Penguin.
Kairiené, A., & Mažeikienė, N. (2024). Lines of flight and nomadic trajectories: Visualising rhizomatic learning with cartography. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 169–186. http://dx.doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.169.186
Kosenko, Y. M. (2011). Sutnistʹ dydaktychnoyi hry yak metodu navchannya [The essence of a didactic game as a teaching method]. Pedahohichni Nauky: Teoriya, Istoriya, Innovatsiyni Tekhnolohiyi, 8(18), 184–191.
Králik, R. (2023). The influence of family and school in shaping the values of children and young people in the theory of free time and pedagogy. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 14(1), 249-268. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2023.1.249.268
Kramsch, C. (2006). From communicative competence to symbolic competence. The Modern Language Journal, 90(2), 249–252. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3876875
Kramsch, C. (2010). The symbolic dimensions of the intercultural. Language Teaching, 44(3), 354–367. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0261444810000431
Lebediuk, O. M. (2020). Formuvannya komunikatyvnoyi kompetentnosti za dopomohoyu interaktyvnykh tekhnolohiy na urokakh anhliysʹkoyi movy [Formation of communicative competence by means of interactive technologies in English language lessons]. Metodychnyy posibnyk. Vovkoviyi.
Lesková, A., & Yochanna, M. (2024). Values and education for values of today’s youth. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 35–42. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.19.33
Lewis, G., & Bedson, G. (1999). Games for children: Teaching English through play. OUP Oxford.
Lobotková, A. (2018). Teaching practice as a motivating factor of prospective teachers. EDULEARN Proceedings, 1, 4068–4072. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2018.1030
Lukianchuk, S., & Komogorova, M. (2023). Role playing as an affective method for developing primary school students’ foreign language dialogic competence. Educational Scientific Space, 5(2), 127–134.
Ma, T., Al-Adwan, A. S., Li, N., Purwanto, E., Meng, W., & Liang, H. N. (2025). Effective use of digital textbooks: A hybrid framework of acceptance and self-determination in higher education programming courses. IEEE Transactions on Education, 68(3), 312-321. https://doi.org/10.1109/TE.2025.3569558
Matvienko, O. V., & Yevdokymov, M. M. (2024). Ihrovi tekhnolohiyi yak instrument rozvytku komunikatyvnoyi kulʹtury molodshykh shkolyariv [Game technologies as a tool for developing communicative culture of younger schoolchildren]. Osvitnʹo-Naukovyy Prostir/Educational Scientific Space, 7(2), 70–80. https://doi.org/10.31392/ONP.2786-6890.7(2)/2.2024.21
Montessori, M. (1967). The discovery of the child (M. J. Costello, Trans.). Ballantine Books. (Original work published 1948)
Najmeh, B., Amirrudin, K. & Siavash, H. (2024). Impact of digital game-based learning on STEM education in primary schools: A meta-analysis of learning approaches. Innoeduca International Journal of Technology and Educational Innovation, 10, 113-140. https://doi.org/10.24310/ijtei.102.2024.19694.
Olah, M. (2025). A social worker’s case study on forgiveness in a senior care facility. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 108–112.
Oleksakova, E., & Putekova, S. (2025). Monitoring the quality of the endoscopic reprocessing technique. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 113–129.
Osmann, B. A., Renger, F., Deaconu, D., Czirfusz, A., Mirwald, A., Foltin, V. (2025). Structural deficits in the health care of prisoners: Results of a cross-sectional analysis from German prisons. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 130-137.
Piaget, J. (1951). Play, dreams and imitation in childhood (C. Gattegno & F. M. Hodgson, Trans.). Routledge and Kegan Paul. (Original work published 1951) https://www.rexresearch1.com/PiagetChildPsychologyLibrary/PlayDreamsImitationChildhood.pdf
Rosenberg, R. (2025). Evolving paradigms in social work: Investigating emerging theories and practices. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 6–9.
Roseni, E., & Muho, A. (2024). Impact of Gamification and Interactive Language Learning Platforms on Engagement and Proficiency in English Language Education. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 205-222. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.205.222
Royce, T. (2002). Multimodality in the TESOL classroom: Exploring visual-verbal synergy. TESOL Quarterly, 36(2), 191–205.
Rudenskyi, R., Pysarchuk, O., Shcherbiak, I., Akimjaková, B., & Minarovicova, K. (2024). Humorous potential of board games for children of senior preschool age. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 267–285. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.267.285
Rusova, S. (1918). Doshkilʹna osvita [Preschool education]. Ukrayinsʹke vydavnytstvo. https://library.kr.ua/wp-content/elib/rusova/Rusova.pdf
Sadova, M. A., & Lapshun, G. (2025). Empirical typology of the realization of the personal potential of gifted adolescent children. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 138–145.
Savignon, S. J. (1983). Communicative competence: Theory and classroom practice. Addison-Wesley. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED135245.pdf
Sipe, M. D., & Avila, C. F. (2024). Local belief and the negotiation of EFL teachers’ identity in an Asian country. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 15(2), 763–782. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2024.2.763.782
Sirotová, M., & Lobotková, A. (2018). The impact of a teacher's motivational influence on pupils' emotional experience. In J. Domenech, P. Merello, E. de la Poza, & D. Blazquez (Eds.), 4th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'18), 389-397. http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/HEAd18.2018.8003
Skoromna, M. V., & Holubenko, O. V. (2021). Dydaktychna hra yak zasib rozumovoho rozvytku molodshoho shkolyara [Didactic play as a means of mental development of a junior schoolchild]. Innovative Pedagogy, 40, 45-48. http://innovpedagogy.od.ua/archives/2021/40/11.pdf
Tamášová, V., Lobotková, A., & Marks, I. (2024). Motivation of teachers and students as part of formative education. AD ALTA: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 14(1), 252–260.
Tkacova, H., Pavlikova, M., & Yochanna, M. (2025). Digital benefits to sustainable presence: A study on seniors’ use of social networks. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 146–155.
Turchaninov, R., & Beshlei, O. (2022). Developing lexical competence of primary school students through sports games in English language classes. Grail of Science, (12–13), 463–466. https://doi.org/10.36074/grail-of-science.29.04.2022.080
van Ek, J. A. (1986). Objectives for foreign language learning. Volume 1: Scope. Council of Europe.
Vasylyeva-Khalatnykova, M. O., Shcherbiak, I., & Moskalenko, A. M. (2025). The formation of psychological stability of scientific and pedagogical teams of higher education institutions in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention, 16(1–2), 71–82.
Wouters, P., Van Nimwegen, C., Van Oostendorp, H., & Van der Spek, E. D. (2013). A meta-analysis of the cognitive and motivational effects of serious games. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(2), 249–265. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031311
Zhu, Y., Lin, X., Kim, J., Al-Adwan, A. S., & Li, N. (2025). Exploring human interaction in online self-regulated learning through danmaku comments. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2025.2480826
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Iryna Bilous, Iurii Shcherbiak, Volodymyr Maslak, Roa'a Alnsour, Edward Zygmunt Jarmoch, Svetlana Hubková

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
CC-BY
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. All authors agree for publishing their email adresses, affiliations and short bio statements with their articles during the submission process.