Learning English via Video

Games

Where do you know all those words from?

-I just play games!

   Almost in every group there is one student who is typically not very proficient in grammar but shows a remarkable range of vocabulary. In most of such cases the student is either a regular gamer or movie watcher or is engaged in any other activity whose content is engaging and relevant to his/her interests. 

   A typical modern child is born surrounded by a variety of technological gadgets.  By the time  the kid starts school, his mind is full of characters and adventures from GTA, Sims, Call of Duty and a myriad of other games. These are words that have no limits except that of imagination. And a child's imagination, as is universally known, needs no additional kindling!

  Arguably, this new technologically abundant world changes  the perceptions and the ways we get and process information (McGrew-Hill, 2008). Children, used to fantastic, fun, graphically mesmerizing worlds with a lot of mysteries to unfold and challenges to overcome, are sent to schools where the processing of information is linear and the students' main role is that of a passive listener.

  A number of studies have been done to assess the effectiveness of video games in L2 learning. The results, though tentative, suggest positive outcomes. The main challenge of anyone that would integrate games into teaching is to to find a meaningful balance between fun and educational gains.  The question, in short, is the following "Can we integrate gaming into language learning without losing the fun aspect of it? Can games be manipulated and structured to serve pedagogical goals?".

Though there is no magical formula, these questions currently inspire heated discussions in EFL and ESL.

  Let's look at one specific case. Can the PC game The Sims be used to teach vocabulary? A study done by Jim Ranalli yields a positive answer. I tried to get a first-hand experience on the subject myself. The implications I got, which are briefly summarized in this presentation, are mostly promising. Though no way an alternative to traditional course-based learning, Sims and games in general, if scaffolded and structured appropriately, can help to supplement the main language learning course.

   If you  hurry to end reading this post just to articulate a harsh and firm "No", just  pause a second  and read this sentence:

 “In a world of change, the learners shall inherit the earth, while the learned shall find themselves perfectly suited for a world that no longer exists.”

Eric Hoffer