Using Video Games for English Language Learning: Approaches and Benefits
We recognize video games as a means of entertainment and fun, providing various experiences in their dynamic environments. However, these games have many more uses beyond simple amusement, one of the most notable being education through gameplay.
Learning different skills through video games, due to the continuous entertainment and the pleasure of winning in a competitive environment, ensures that the learning atmosphere never becomes dull for the individual, intertwining the desire to continue the game with the interest in learning.
Video games also offer different levels of education. For example, for learning English at home, playing games that match your language level can lead to faster and more targeted English proficiency.
In the world of games, different stories happen in different worlds, and thus a person entering this space for learning English encounters new English words and grammar specific to the time and conditions of the game, which can lead to significant improvement in English proficiency.
As we proceed, you will become familiar with more benefits and approaches to using video games for language learning:
Interactive Storytelling:
Many video games, with their complex narratives, diverse characters, separate storylines, and challenges that arise in various scenarios, display an extensive range of vocabulary and the use of phrases pertinent to different environments, as well as familiarizing the player with unique expressions.
When you are the captain of a military ship in one game and a magical cat in another, you experience two completely different worlds where the frameworks of speaking, tone, pronunciation, vocabulary, and the way sentences and topics are expressed are distinctly separate.
This contrast and the breadth of content give you ample opportunity to learn. However, there may be challenges in this approach, with confusion being the most prominent because there is a large volume of content without clear levels, which can be overwhelming during learning.
Or, if the individual initially struggles with the language level of the game and cannot understand or relate to the story, they may not know what to do at that stage of the game. For this reason, choosing games that match the individual's language level is very important for targeted learning.
Active Participation:
Unlike methods where learning is passive and the learner has no role in the instruction, games force the individual to participate and involve the learner in all parts of the game.
In games, the language learner has no choice but to follow the dialogue to understand the storyline and to write and repeat certain parts, which helps strengthen their memory in learning words, pronunciation, and their usage.
Interaction with Other Players: The world of video games is not limited to solo and individual adventures; they make up only a very small part of the gaming world.
Another category of video games that has become very popular in recent years is online games. Online games with their interactive environment allow individuals to converse with native speakers of English-speaking countries, actively engage in conversation, and stay connected during the game.
This interaction has a significant environmental impact on learning English for those participating in these games, helping them become accustomed to the language and familiar with the tone and pronunciation of words.
Regular but Balanced Play:
Despite all the positive effects that games have on learning English, playing them excessively can harm your learning and prevent you from daily tasks and damage your eyes due to staring too long at the screen.
Playing with a specific time in the day and sufficiently, along with planning, can be much more targeted and useful than playing incessantly at any time and recreationally.
Especially online games that do not have stage or narrative limitations and allow the person to continue playing for as many hours as they want until they choose to exit the game.
Safe Learning Environment:
The safe learning environment used in video games for teaching English is one that allows learners to develop their skills in a space without fear of failure.
In such spaces, mistakes are part of the learning process and their consequences are relatively insignificant, allowing players to expand their learning experiences without fear of negative outcomes.
Video games often provide opportunities for strengthening language knowledge through repetition and practice, and the immediate feedback provided in these games enables learners to understand their progress and areas for improvement well.
Challenges and Solutions:
Using video games for teaching English can be very beneficial but also has its specific challenges. These games allow learners to acquire language skills in an engaging and interactive environment, but they may initially be difficult for beginners.
Therefore, it is recommended that novice learners start with games with a simpler language level and gradually move to games with more complex texts and dialogues.
One useful approach to using video games in language learning is to set specific goals for each gaming session. For example, you can aim to learn new words or practice specific grammatical structures in each session.
This approach helps maintain focus on the educational aspects of the game and prevents distraction and scattered attention. Other benefits of video games for language learning include creating a safe, stress-free learning environment.
In these environments, mistakes are opportunities for learning, and learners can test their skills without fear of judgment or punishment, using trial and error to advance. At the same time, to prevent video games from being used only as entertainment, it is important to balance game activities with other educational activities.
This includes combining games with classroom lessons, reading books, and watching educational programs in English. This balance helps learners strengthen their language skills in various areas and benefit from comprehensive learning.
Overall, with the advancement of technology, video games are recognized as a powerful tool for language learning. If used properly, they can enhance language abilities and make the learning process both enjoyable and effective.
Recommended Games:
VELLSO, although an educational program, has language reinforcement and practice games designed for beginners to advanced users that encourage users to practice regularly and improve their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
Video games can be useful tools for teaching English. These games provide a fun and interactive experience that helps learners strengthen their language skills in an engaging and pressure-free environment. The Sims allows players to create and manage the lives of virtual characters.
Players in this game encounter various dialogues and texts in English, which helps strengthen everyday vocabulary and better understand the language. Minecraft is a construction and survival game that allows players to interact with others in an open world. Text interactions and English conversations in this game help strengthen communication skills.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs) such as Skyrim and The Witcher, with their deep stories and complex dialogues, offer players the opportunity to engage in intricate and challenging interactions using English.
Adventure Games like The Legend of Zelda present challenges that require understanding instructions and solving puzzles in English, which aids in strengthening reading and comprehension skills.
VELLSO, although an educational program, has language reinforcement and practice games designed for beginners to advanced users that encourage users to practice regularly and improve their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
These games not only help strengthen language skills but also make the learning process more enjoyable, providing opportunities for language learning in various environments and with diverse styles.