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
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ÃÛÌÒapp can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

The role of video games in language learning

The traditional methods of language learning—textbooks, classroom instruction and language labs—are 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 Ìýfor 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'.

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • A man sat at a laptop smiling

    Embracing the future: Teaching in the age of AI

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    With the continuous evolution of AI tools, it has become more critical to incorporate AI into our teaching practices. AI has the transformative power to improve our teaching methods, tailor learning experiences, and increase student engagement.

    To give you a taste of our webinar 'Teaching in the age of AI: 7 tips for preparing for an educational evolution'. We'll cover seven tips designed to prepare you for an educational evolution with AI.

    1. Choosing your AI path

    The first step in integrating AI into your teaching practice is deciding your approach. Are you an AI methodologist who practices based on theory or an AI experimentalist who develops theory based on practice? Both paths are valid, but it's crucial to choose one to avoid inertia. Understanding AI's basics and experimenting with different tools will help you find your footing.

    2. Becoming friends with AI

    AI should be seen as a thought partner and assistant, not a replacement. Use AI to enhance your creativity and efficiency. For example, if you're stuck on creating a warm-up activity, ask AI for ideas. Treat AI as a helpful assistant to handle tasks you find time-consuming or less enjoyable, allowing you to focus on what you love about teaching.

    3. Developing empathy for AI

    Understanding AI's capabilities and limitations is essential. AI learns from the data we provide, so it's crucial to feed it accurate and relevant information. Developing empathy for AI means understanding how it processes information and how to give clear instructions to get the best results.

    4. Using AI for comprehensive coverage

    AI can help cover all aspects of language learning, including:

    • Meaning-focused input: Generate reading passages and listening activities.
    • Meaning-focused output: Create speaking and writing tasks.
    • Language-focused learning: Develop vocabulary lists, grammar exercises, and pronunciation activities.
    • Fluency development: Design repetitive practice tasks to build automaticity in language use.

    5. Transforming teaching practices

    Move beyond simple substitution and augmentation of tasks with AI. Aim for modification and redefinition of your teaching methods. For instance, use AI to create interactive and personalized learning experiences that were previously unimaginable.

    6. Adopting AI pedagogy

    AI offers new teaching possibilities that break away from traditional constraints. Embrace these opportunities to redefine your pedagogy. Think about what is now possible with AI that wasn't before and how you can leverage these capabilities to enhance learning.

    7. Creating formative assessments

    Use AI to develop formative assessments that provide continuous feedback. These assessments should help students understand their progress and guide you in improving your teaching strategies. AI can generate rubrics, provide instant feedback, and help track student performance over time.

    Practical tips and challenges

    To help you integrate AI into your teaching practice, here are some practical tips and challenges:

    1. Experiment with AI tools: Find tools for creating text, audio, images, and video. Create activities using these tools to see how they can enhance your lessons.

    2. Develop custom AI applications: Create custom GPTs for specific tasks, such as generating rubrics or formative assessments.

    3. Engage students with AI: Design activities where students use AI to generate content, evaluate AI-generated work, and reflect on their learning process.

    4. Focus on formative feedback: Use AI to provide continuous, formative feedback to students, helping them understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

    Embrace AI and its challenges

    Integrating AI into your teaching practice is not just about using new tools; it's about transforming your approach to education. By embracing AI, you can create more engaging, personalized, and effective learning experiences for your students. As you embark on this journey, remember that the goal is to enhance your teaching, not replace it. Embrace the challenges, experiment with new ideas, and let AI help you become the best educator you can be.

    Watch our webinar

    Ready to dive deeper into the world of AI in education? Watch our webinar, 'Teaching in the Age of AI: 7 Tips for Preparing for an Educational Evolution'. Discover how AI can augment teaching, personalize learning, and boost engagement. Delve into the AI-first pedagogy, ethical considerations and practical strategies to make your classroom more effective, engaging, and innovative.

  • A woman/teacher teaching her students in the classroom.

    Top tips for writing a winning English Teacher Awards 2024 nomination

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    We are celebrating teaching excellence around the world through the ÃÛÌÒapp English Teacher Awards 2024.Ìý

    Open to all types of English language educator, the 15 lucky global winners will take home thousands of pounds of prizes, from trips to conferences to the latest language learning software for their school.Ìý

    Nominating an educator for the ÃÛÌÒapp English Teacher Awards is simple. All applications are made via the awards entry page, and you have 600-1000 words to tell us how your nominee builds learners’ confidence to be themselves in English.Ìý

    Here are our top tips to make the most of every word and ensure your entry is top of the class.Ìý

    Application tips

    1. Make it category specificÌý

    One of the core judging criteria is how well an application matches the category description.Ìý

    Educators can be nominated in one of five different categories:Ìý

    1. Teaching Young Minds English
    2. Empowering Teen Confidence in English
    3. Cultivating Lifelong Learners in EnglishÌý
    4. Innovation in English Language TeachingÌý
    5. Rising Stars of English Language TeachingÌý

    Tailoring your answer to the category description will make sure our judges understand exactly why your nominee is the perfect winner.Ìý

    For a detailed description of each of the categories, take a look at our recent blog post.

    2. Focus on confidence

    Learning a language isn’t just about knowing the vocabulary or understanding the grammar; it’s about having the confidence to go out there and use your newfound skills to unlock a world of opportunities.Ìý

    But feeling confident in something you’re still learning is hard. Anyone that’s learnt a language has experienced those dips in motivation and confidence when you come across a topic that doesn’t come naturally to you.Ìý

    That’s where a great teacher can make all the difference. The right support and encouragement combined with innovative teaching techniques can help learners protect and even build their confidence in challenging moments.Ìý

    That confidence is what transforms language learning from just communicating to feeling able to really be yourself in English. And when you’re able to do that, great opportunities come your way.Ìý

    Our judges are looking for nominations that understand the connection between confidence and self-expression and the impact that can have on learners’ lives.Ìý

    3. Demonstrate your impact

    Including relevant data and examples in your application will help judges understand the impact your nominee has had.Ìý

    This might include data such as internal or external test results, as well as how those results have changed during that teacher’s tenure.Ìý

    Evidence doesn’t have to mean numbers. Judges also welcome anecdotes and examples that describe the impact an educator has had on learners’ confidence.Ìý

    The judging process

    Nominations can be submitted between 15th August and midnight (CST) on 1st November 2024.Ìý

    After that date, all entries will be reviewed and a shortlist submitted to our expert judges.Ìý

    There are two to three judges for each category who will independently review and shortlist nominees before collectively awarding a Gold, Silver, and Bronze winner in their category.Ìý

    Shortlisted entries will be contacted by our team and announced at the ÃÛÌÒapp Teacher Awards ceremony on November 21st 2024.Ìý

    Meet the judges

    From Argentina to Algeria, Italy to Germany, ÃÛÌÒapp English Teacher Award 2024 judges come from all over the world.Ìý

    Many have years of ELT teaching experience, as well as expertise from academia and business.Ìý

    Here are just three of our expert judges:Ìý

    • Belgin Elmas: Head of the English Language Teaching Department at TED University in Ankara, Belgin is a professor with more than 34 years of teaching experience.Ìý
    • Dr Silvia Minardi: President of Lingua e Nuova Didattica and Vice President of Aermigo. Dr Minardi has extensive experience in CLIL training, collaborating with the ECML and the Council of Europe.
    • Dr Renata Condi: An experienced teacher, development professional, and course book author, Dr Condi holds a PhD and MA in Applied Linguistics and an MBA in School Management.Ìý

    The prizes

    With a Gold, Silver, and Bronze winner in each of the five categories, there are 15 chances for educators and their schools to win.Ìý

    Gold winners will receive a trip to a regional professional conference, including flight and hotel, as well as up to £500 in credit for professional development.Ìý

    Their school will win annual licenses to top language learning app, Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp as well as a course, assessment, and certification bundle valued at £1000Ìý

    Silver and Bronze winners will take home top prizes too, with £250 in credit towards their professional development and up to 500 Mondly by ÃÛÌÒapp licenses for their school to continue their good work building learners’ confidence in English.Ìý

  • Childten sat at a desk staring up at a tablet

    Embracing AI for the new school year

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    Back-to-school season is the perfect time to introduce something new into your teaching toolkit. With advancements in technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important for educators to incorporate into their workflow and beneficial for students. Here are some practical ways AI can enhance your classroom experience this new school year.

    AI saves valuable time

    One of the biggest challenges teachers face is finding the time to plan and create engaging lessons. AI can maximize your time by generating word sets, images and activities. Imagine having a virtual assistant that can suggest fresh ideas for your lessons, create tailored resources and even develop entire lesson plans. By automating these time-consuming tasks, AI allows you to focus more on teaching and interacting with your students.

    How AI can help

    • Lesson planning: Generate detailed lesson plans and activities.
    • Lesson inspiration: Get new and creative ideas for classroom activities.
    • Resource creation: Develop word sets, images and other teaching materials.

    As you prepare for the upcoming school year, consider how integrating AI tools can elevate your teaching practice, making your lessons more engaging while freeing up precious time for interactions with your students.

    Personalized learning and targeted feedback

    Every student learns differently, and tailoring lessons to meet individual needs can be challenging. AI can help by providing personalized learning experiences and targeted feedback. Using data-driven insights, AI tools can identify areas where learners are struggling and offer customized recommendations to help them improve. This not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures that no student is left behind.

    Benefits of AI in personalization

    • Personalized lessons: Adapt lessons to suit individual learning styles.
    • Targeted feedback: Provide specific feedback to help students improve.

    Creating an inclusive classroom

    ÌýAI can play an important role in creating an inclusive classroom environment. AI can generate visuals, audio, videos and text, or a combination of all four, catering to different learning preferences. This ensures that all learners, regardless of their learning styles or abilities, have access to the same educational content.

    AI in inclusion

    • Multimodal content: Use various formats to cater to different learning preferences.
    • Accessibility: Ensure that all students can engage with the material.

    Supporting independent learning

    Encouraging students to take charge of their own learning is essential for their development. AI can support independent learning by providing platforms that facilitate self-study at home. These platforms offer a range of resources and tools that help students learn at their own pace, making education more flexible and accessible.ÌýExplore how supports independent learning with immersive AI-powered conversations.

    AI tools for self-study

    • Independent learning: Foster a culture of self-directed learning.
    • Self-study resources: Provide tools and platforms for students to use at home.

    Integrating AI into your teaching practice can revolutionize the way you educate and engage with your students. From saving time on lesson planning to creating an inclusive classroom and supporting independent learning, the benefits are significant.

    Want more AI tips and tricks for the classroom? Join us on the page for the next video in our series.