How video games help language learning

Charlotte Guest
Two people playing video games on the sofa together
Reading time: 6 minutes

The evolution of video games and global connectivity

Video games have come a long way since their inception in the late 20th century. From the simple pixelated screens of 'Pong' and 'Space Invaders', we've entered an era where video games are complex, immersive and incredibly detailed. The evolution of video games has not only been technological but also cultural.

With the rise of the internet and online gaming, players from different corners of the world can now connect, collaborate and compete in real-time. This global connectivity has transformed video games into a social platform, where language barriers are often encountered and interestingly, overcome.

Language learning and video games
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The role of video games in language learning

The traditional methods of language learning¡ªtextbooks, classroom instruction and language labs¡ªare being complemented by more interactive and engaging tools. Video games have emerged as a surprisingly effective medium for language acquisition. The immersive nature of video games, combined with their interactive elements, makes them an excellent tool for learning new languages. Here are a few ways in which video games facilitate language learning:

Contextual learning: Unlike traditional methods that often rely on rote memorization, video games provide contextual learning. Players are immersed in a virtual world where they must use language to navigate, solve problems and interact with other characters or players.

Motivation and engagement: The gamified nature of video games keeps players motivated and engaged. The desire to progress in the game encourages players to learn and understand the language used within the game.

Real-time communication: Many online multiplayer games require real-time communication with other players. This necessitates the use of language skills, often in a second language, to coordinate actions and strategies.

Increased outlets for multilingual communication

One of the most significant impacts of video games on global communication is the sheer number of outlets they provide for interacting with speakers of different languages. In the past, opportunities for language practice were often limited to classroom settings, travel, or pen-pal programs. Today, video games have dramatically expanded these opportunities, creating a vibrant, multilingual community where language learning can thrive.

Online multiplayer platforms

Online multiplayer platforms like Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and Steam host millions of players from around the world. These platforms facilitate communication through voice chat, text messaging and in-game interactions.

Games like Fortnite, Overwatch and League of Legends have massive international player bases, meaning that players are frequently paired with teammates or opponents who speak different languages. This constant exposure to diverse linguistic environments encourages players to practice and improve their language skills.

Social media integration

Many video games now integrate with social media platforms, allowing players to share their experiences, form communities and communicate outside of the game. Platforms like Discord, Reddit and various game-specific forums provide additional spaces for multilingual interaction.

These communities often include language-specific channels where players can seek help, share tips, or simply chat in their target language, further enhancing their learning experience.

Esports and streaming

The rise of esports and game streaming has also contributed to the multilingual communication landscape. Professional gamers and streamers often interact with a global audience, providing commentary, tutorials and live interactions in multiple languages. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming enable viewers to engage with content creators and fellow viewers in real-time.

An example of communication in team-based games

One example of language learning through video games is found in team-based games like 'Sea of Thieves'. This is a multiplayer pirate adventure game that relies heavily on teamwork and communication.

In 'Sea of Thieves' players take on the roles of pirates sailing the high seas, searching for treasure and battling other pirate crews. The game requires players to work together to sail their ship, manage supplies and engage in combat. Effective communication is crucial for success.

Imagine a scenario where a team of players from different linguistic backgrounds must work together to sail their ship. One player speaks Spanish, another speaks English and a third speaks French. To navigate effectively, they must communicate instructions such as "raise the anchor," "lower the sails," or "fire the cannons." This situation creates a natural and urgent need for language skills, pushing players to learn and use new vocabulary in real-time.

Another aspect is the potential for negotiation and diplomacy. When encountering another pirate ship, players may have the option to negotiate rather than engage in combat. This requires players to communicate clearly and effectively, often in a language that is not their first. Phrases like "Let's form an alliance," "We come in peace," or "Do you need supplies?" become essential tools for survival and success.

The benefits of language learning through video games

One of the most compelling reasons why language learning in video games can be more enjoyable and effective is the practical need to communicate clearly and efficiently. Unlike traditional learning environments where the practical application of language skills can sometimes feel abstract or distant, video games provide immediate, tangible reasons to use a new language.

In team-based games, clear communication often directly correlates with success. A well-coordinated team that can effectively communicate is more likely to win than a team that struggles with language barriers. This creates a strong incentive for players to learn and use the language of their teammates.

A team that can communicate clearly will be able to execute complex maneuvers, coordinate attacks and manage more effectively than a team that cannot. This practical, real-world application of language skills makes learning more engaging and rewarding. Players are not just learning for the sake of learning; they are learning to win, to achieve goals and to enjoy the game more fully.

The benefits of learning languages through video games extend beyond the virtual world. Here are a few key advantages:

Improved listening and speaking skills: Real-time communication in multiplayer games enhances listening and speaking skills, as players must quickly understand and respond to their teammates. that MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) can significantly improve listening and speaking abilities in a second language.

Cultural awareness: Playing with individuals from different countries exposes players to various cultures and dialects, fostering a sense of global awareness and empathy. can serve as rich sites for intercultural communication and learning.

Problem-solving and critical thinking: The need to solve problems and strategize in a foreign language enhances cognitive skills, making players more adept at thinking on their feet. , where players develop problem-solving skills within meaningful contexts.

Increased vocabulary and grammar: Regular interaction in a second language helps players build their vocabulary and understand grammatical structures in a practical context. The interactive and immersive nature of ?for vocabulary acquisition and grammatical development.

The future of language learning and video games

As video games continue to evolve and become even more integrated into our daily lives, their potential as tools for language learning will only grow. The interactive and immersive nature of video games makes them an ideal platform for acquiring new languages in a fun and engaging way.

Certain games demonstrate how real-time communication and teamwork can break down language barriers, fostering a sense of global connectivity and cooperation.

Read our blog posts 'Why learning a language is better than using machine translation' and 'Games and puzzles to level up language learning'.

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    5 of the strangest English phrases explained

    By Steffanie Zazulak

    Here, we look at what some of the strangest English phrases mean ¨C and reveal their origins¡­

    Bite the bullet

    Biting a bullet? What a strange thing to do! This phrase means you¡¯re going to force yourself to do something unpleasant or deal with a difficult situation. Historically, it derives from the 19th century when a patient or soldier would clench a bullet between their teeth to cope with the extreme pain of surgery without anesthetic. A similar phrase with a similar meaning, ¡°chew a bullet¡±, dates to the late 18th century.

    Use it:?¡°I don¡¯t really want to exercise today, but I¡¯ll bite the bullet and go for a run.¡±

    Pigs might fly

    We all know that pigs can¡¯t fly, so people use this expression to describe something that is almost certain never to happen. It is said that this phrase has been in use since the 1600s, but why pigs? An early version of the succinct ¡°pigs might fly¡± was ¡°pigs fly with their tails forward¡±, which is first found in a list of proverbs in the 1616 edition of John Withals¡¯s English-Latin dictionary,?A Shorte Dictionarie for Yonge Begynners: ¡°Pigs fly in the ayre with their tayles forward.¡± Other creatures have been previously cited in similar phrases ¨C ¡°snails may fly¡±, ¡°cows might fly¡±, etc, but it is pigs that have stood the test of time as the favored image of an animal that is particularly unsuited to flight! This phrase is also often used as a sarcastic response to mock someone¡¯s credulity.

    Use it:?¡°I might clean my bedroom tomorrow.¡± ¨C ¡°Yes, and pigs might fly.¡±

    Bob¡¯s your uncle

    Even if you don¡¯t have an uncle called Bob, you might still hear this idiom! Its origin comes from when Arthur Balfour was unexpectedly promoted to Chief Secretary for Ireland by the Prime Minister of Britain, Lord Salisbury, in 1900. Salisbury was Arthur Balfour¡¯s uncle (possibly his reason for getting the job!) ¨C and his first name was Robert. This?phrase is used when something is accomplished or successful ¨C an alternative to ¡°¡­and that¡¯s that¡±.

    Use it:?¡°You¡¯re looking for the station? Take a left, then the first right and Bob¡¯s your uncle ¨C you¡¯re there!¡±

    Dead ringer

    This phrase commonly refers to something that seems to be a copy of something ¨C mainly if someone looks like another person. The often-repeated story about the origin of this phrase is that many years ago, people were sometimes buried alive because they were presumed dead ¨C when actually they were still alive. To prevent deaths by premature burial, a piece of string would supposedly be tied to the finger of someone being buried ¨C and the other end would be attached to a bell above ground. If the person woke up, they would ring the bell ¨C and the ¡°dead¡± ringer would emerge looking exactly like someone buried only a few hours ago! Other stories point to the practice of replacing slower horses with faster horses ¨C ¡°ringers¡±. In this case, ¡°dead¡± means ¡°exact¡±.

    Use it:?¡°That guy over there is a dead ringer for my ex-boyfriend.¡±

    Off the back of a lorry

    This is a way of saying that something was acquired that is probably stolen, or someone is selling something that¡¯s stolen or illegitimate. It can also be used humorously to emphasize that something you bought was so cheap that it must have been stolen! ¡°Lorry¡± is the British version ¨C in the US, things fall off the back of ¡°trucks¡±. An early printed version of this saying came surprisingly late in?The Times in?1968. However, there are many anecdotal reports of the phrase in the UK from much earlier than that, and it is likely to date back to at least World War II. It¡¯s just the sort of language that those who peddled illegal goods during and after WWII would have used.

    Use it:?¡°I can¡¯t believe these shoes were so cheap ¨C they must have fallen off the back of a lorry.¡±

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