Our Unit 871 Instructor, Amanda, discusses the pedagogical approach Lana takes in ESL education—how we implement strategy and spark.
At Lana Learn, we believe language learning should be immersive, strategic, and fun. That’s why our teachers don’t just teach grammar rules or vocabulary lists. They design experiences that activate learners’ minds and mirror real-life communication. And two powerful tools in our teaching toolkit? Role-play and Quizizz.
Recent research shows that when ESL learners engage in role-play and gamified learning, they’re not just practicing English, they’re building cognitive muscle.
What Happens Inside an ESL Learner’s Mind?
According to Bi (2021), ESL learners performing academic role-plays—like requesting a recommendation letter or negotiating a group meeting—use a rich mix of strategies:
- Cognitive strategies: Understanding the situation, recalling language, and drawing on personal experience
- Metacognitive strategies: Setting goals, evaluating performance, and managing emotions
- Pragmatic strategies: Adjusting tone, choosing polite expressions, and managing turn-taking
These strategies help learners navigate complex social situations in English. And the more advanced the learner, the more strategic their thinking becomes.
Why Quizizz Works So Well
Another study by Yunus & Hua (2021) found that using Quizizz—a gamified learning platform—dramatically improved ESL learners’ mastery of irregular past tense verbs. Students’ scores jumped from 62 to 86.7 after using Quizizz. But the most compelling impact is on increased student engagement.
Quizizz turns grammar practice into a game, complete with leaderboards, memes, and instant feedback. It fosters healthy competition amongst students and an opportunity for empathy for those needed additional support, which often leads to increased peer-to-peer engagement. It creates a low-pressure environment where students feel safe to try, fail, and learn.
At Lana Learn, our teachers use Quizizz to:
- Reinforce challenging grammar points
- Track student progress in real time
- Encourage friendly competition
- Pair quizzes with role-play scenarios for deeper learning
The Power of Combining Role-Play and Quizizz
Role-play activates learners’ strategic thinking, while Quizizz reinforces language patterns. Together, they create a dynamic learning loop:
| Role-Play Activities | Quizziz | Combined Impact |
| Simulate real-life interactions | Practice vocabulary and grammar in context | Builds pragmatic confidence and linguistic accuracy |
| Encourage empathy and cultural awareness | Instant feedback and motivation | Boosts confidence and retention |
| Demonstrate learner’s cognitive and metacognitive strategies | Track progress and adapt instruction methods | Personalizes learning and encourages growth |
By integrating both approaches, Lana Learn helps students not only speak English, but to think in it as well.
Citations
Yunus, C. C. A., & Tan, K. H. (2021).Exploring a gamified learning tool in the ESL classroom: The case of Quizizz. Asian Journal of University Education, 17(3), 149–157. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v17i3.14904
Bi, N. Z. (2021). Cognitive processes of ESL learners in pragmatic role-play tasks in academic settings. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 586588. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.586588