Fifteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Resumen

This article presents a novel approach to English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction in higher education by combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Game-Based Learning (GBL) with a focus on vocabulary and grammar skills. It introduces Kreepy Kreatures, an original game based on DALL·E’s text-to-image generation, collaborative prompt creation, and a guessing mechanism to facilitate language production and comprehension. The study employs an ad hoc questionnaire to explore how AI-generated visuals influence learner engagement and motivation, whether the game supports the development of descriptive vocabulary and syntactic complexity, and the potential benefits and challenges of using word embeddings to assess student responses. Our results suggest that Kreepy Kreatures is a valuable tool for EFL learning, effectively enhancing student engagement, enjoyment, and learning outcomes. In a context of constant digital stimuli where students are less receptive to passive lectures and memorization, GBL emerges as a practical and adaptable methodology that responds to learners’ evolving needs through interactive, goal-oriented experiences. While challenges remain regarding the ethical and technical limitations of AI tools, this study highlights the educational potential of combining AI image generation with GBL.