Impact of Gather Town on EFL Listening Processing Speed and Performance Within an OBE Framework

This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of immersive virtual platforms, specifically Gather Town, for enhancing listening comprehension in English-as-a-foreign-language instruction compared to traditional classroom approaches. Involving 240 2nd-year students, the study assessed listening processing speed using the novel Listening Comprehension Words per Minute assessment tool and International English Language Testing System scores. Results demonstrated significant improvements in both metrics for students engaged in Gather Town instruction, with disproportionately greater gains observed in lower-proficiency learners. The decision-tree analysis further identified baseline characteristics predictive of learning outcomes, providing data-driven insights for personalized educational technology deployment. This research addressed critical gaps in technology-enhanced language learning by validating the effectiveness of immersive environments for listening skills.