Aspen Academy: designing a task-based digital role-playing game for teaching ESL vocabulary

Brianna R. Gilmore
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:57:49 PDT

The field of computer assisted language learning has grown exponentially in the last few decades. Technology is becoming a larger part of our everyday lives and with this comes the rise of digital game-based language learning as well. Research has shown that even digital video games, like Role Playing Games (RPGs), can be used to help learners acquire language. In this project, I designed and created a game that incorporated RPG elements, as well as both a Task Based Language Teaching framework and vocabulary items from the test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests. I reflect on the game design process, additionally, learners of varying English proficiencies played the game and shared their experiences through post-game surveys and interviews. The data shows that RPGs are a promising tool for language learners because of the in-game dialogue as well as opportunities for feedback from non-player characters (NPCs).