Learning English Through Videogames

This paper presents a study of the viewpoints on video game playing toward second/foreign language learning among ESL/EFL students in Xalapa, Veracruz. The results showed that students’ insights on playing video games aimed at foreign language learning were positive. This paper also made a comparison with factors such as gender and years of playing that support these insights. The results indicated that types of games and English proficiency have strong influences on students’ perceptions. This paper’s purpose is to present several of the latest theories in videogame studies and new media literacies, in addition to theories of language learning. Several examples are shown of how computer video games and web applications such as The Sims 2, Grim Fandango, jumpcut, Apple imovie, Windows movie maker and others could radically change the way in which we approach language learning and instruction.

Introduction

The role of technology as an alternative tool for instruction of English foreign language learners increases as educators recognize its possibilities to create both independent and collaborative learning environments in which students can acquire, immerse and practice a new language (Butler-Pascoe, 1997). Through the use of the Internet, word processors, video games multimedia, and practice programs, students can engage in individualized instruction designed to meet their specific needs and participate in cooperative projects that will foster communication with peers in their classrooms and throughout the global community. This research focuses on the potential of video games as a powerful tool for foreign language instruction and acquisition. This is a very important topic for many reasons, the least of which is that so many people do not really understand this medium and regard it in the worst possible manner. What many outsiders of the video game culture do not understand is that video games can be an expressive and interesting medium that can easily compete with the best that other mediums have to offer, and, like any type of expressive medium before them, video games have gone through a harsh trial by those who are bigoted, uninformed and prejudiced against this medium.

This paper provides a great opportunity to explain why computers and video games can take an important part in language learning, and why therein we have an extraordinary opportunity to educate, not only our children but the population at large through video games. Video games can provide the ability to shape events, environments and positions in a way which is not feasible through any other medium. According to Larson (1999) and Li (1999), “the transactional nature and the pedagogical relevance of some state-of-the-art videogame-based interactive technologies make videogames a viable vehicle for foreign language learning”.

This thesis aims to reach the following objectives:

1. – to make the reader aware of new learning strategies and possibilities for all types of learners;

2. – to discover students’ views on the feasibility of videogames for language learning and instruction;

3. – to suggest a new range of activities that can be performed in a classroom using videogames.

This thesis firstly discusses findings from various research studies, as well as current language teaching methodologies, in order to explain how video games can contribute to language acquisition by evaluating several video game genres and emphasizing that “virtual pet”, simulation and “RPG” (Role playing games) are beneficial for language acquisition. It also provides various sample activities that can be performed in the ESL classroom using video games in their own right.

Secondly, the context and participants are presented as well as a research instrument, after which the data is analyzed and given an interpretation and finally pedagogical implications are presented.

Chapter 1: Literature review

This chapter firstly attempts to explain why videogames can be suitable for learning a language based on several studies that are described next. Secondly, it also outlines how videogames are slowly being incorporated into the field of education. Thirdly, it provides the readers with an overview on videogames and modding and finally how teachers can benefit their lessons from modding and how it can be used in the ESL/EFL classroom.

1. – Videogames and Research

Using video games to educate has long been a much thought-of goal, yet rarely an achieved one. Although video games may not yet be able to educate users in a content area effectively, language learners may benefit from video games. Educational software developers have struggled to present a substantial amount of content and context without sacrificing the degree of control game players expect.

Very little research has specifically targeted language acquisition through video games; however, various studies carried out over the years in several universities of the U.S, England and Sweden with students of different majors, as well as current language teaching methodologies support the use of video games to learn language.

Interestingly, in one study Hulstijn & Laufer (2001) found that language acquisition may hinge on the “level of involvement in a task”, and video game players are often quite immersed in game play, a trait that may enable them to acquire language, since video games often contain simultaneously presented aural and textual language.

Another study done by Prensky (2006) suggests that “videogames allow learners to analyze and decode language at their own pace”. During game play learners may use one input channel to decode the other because videogame players have a great deal of control over the game play (various in-game choices can be made, games can be paused, actions can be repeated, and conversations can sometimes be initiated at the players’ own beck and call.

“Dornyei & Clement (2001, p.399) claimed that “one of the main premises for using video games to educate has been to harness learners’ motivation”. Although, motivation is a crucial element in language learning, motivation alone does not guarantee the acquisition of a language. This was stated in another study performed by Prensky (2004) who found out that one of the most difficult things teachers had to do was to aim for a balance between video game interaction and learning its language which may result too strenuous for some players’ cognitive abilities.

Nevertheless, Brett (2001) emphasizes in his research that the natural repetition which is present in video games, such as the constant set-up of mini-battles in role-playing games and the frequent use of interactive menus in virtual pet and simulation games, allows a language learner to be continuously exposed to the target language and creates more opportunities for acquisition to occur as opposed to other media, such as movies or books, which often do not reuse the same vocabulary or grammar, making acquisition more difficult and slow-paced. Interestingly enough, the repetition in video games allows a language learner to use their own initiative to use known language (semantic context, vocabulary or grammar) to decode unknown elements through constant exposure.

Furthermore, Crawford (2003, p.261) made a stunning discovery in his research when he stated that “a videogame provides players with a useful kinesthetic link to its language” resulting in players having to give a total physical response to actions prompted. Total Physical Response (TPR) activities are used in order to connect the language item whether, vocabulary or grammar, to a physical action, hopefully making the language easier to grasp, which is quite similar in videogames where players perform on-screen actions that may serve to link the language they learn to their native language.

2. – Video Games and Education

Video games evoke different emotions in people. Some might perceive them as nothing more than a tool of entertainment, while others might consider them useless and tools of bad influence. Academics, such as Gee (2005, p.13), will say that “video games are a new form of interactive media worthy of academic multidisciplinary study” regardless of what videogames may be, it is a well-known fact that they are a distinct yet entertaining way for youngsters to spend their time.

It comes as no surprise that many educators and teachers are trying to add video games to their lessons and curricula design both to catch and retain the attention of students, not to mention to enhance the course content and likability. Many business, medicine, and law schools in northern Europe are implementing video games such as Kristen’s Cookies, Dexter and Objection as part of their curricula, whilst other schools introduce more commercially known titles, for example Brain Age and Trauma Center to their science and math courses. According to Hogg’s research (2006) carried out in some European universities, students’ motivation and therefore grades, have soared exponentially as opposed to slump since the implementation of video games in their curricula.

Video games have become increasingly widespread in their use, both as a hobby and as an educational tool. ESL teachers should be no exception and be able to make use of this technology to help students in teaching grammar points as much as in developing students’ speaking ability.

3. – Video Games and Modding

For over twenty years there have been many attempts at designing educational software with all of them resulting in failure and thus a sense of hopelessness prevailed through much of the educational software community. Fortunately, the emergence of new models have made education and entertainment games stop competing with one another. If we look at today’s entertainment video games, many will be nothing like the games prevalent in the late 90’s when educators and game developers first teamed up in an attempt to insert artificial learning moments inside games. Back then, in-game worlds were relatively fixed and did not have much depth whatsoever, enabling the player only to play out the action of a pre-programmed story.

Today, nonetheless, according to Hansson (2005) games are presumably more open-ended, with many of them encouraging players to take an active role in the construction of the game itself through the use of various ‘mod’ tools. The term ‘mod’ means modification, in videogame terms ‘mod’ refers to a user made add-on to an already existing game. For example, one of 2007’s best selling video games, “The Sims 2” does not determine any explicit goal or winning outcome. Rather, the game presents itself as an open-ended “virtual doll house” in which users play out and share stories with one another should they choose to.

As a result of the enormous flexibility of this game, thousands of players’ created content add-ons or game modifications now available for free on the web. “Surprisingly enough, so far, little has been attempted by educators to use the extensive mod tools available for The Sims 2 to implement learning content in a way that naturally integrates with the in-game experience” (Goldfayn, 2006).

However, mod tools provide full access to all the language data used in all the different international versions of a game. This allows curriculum designers to easily manipulate popular video games to create opportunities for foreign language learning. Johnson,( 2005, p.191) claims that for most educational disciplines, “the main rule when choosing a video game to be modded is that the closer the original contents of the game are to the educational discipline involved, the smoother the process will be”. Most people play video games nowadays and everyone seems to work on a computer, so learning a foreign language through video games can be as viable as learning it through traditional classroom instruction.

For example, in order to make a game like “Civilization III” relevant to a history classroom, one simply needs to edit a few maps, scenarios and variables; while a game like The Sims 2 actually does have a distinct similarity between the contents of the game and the contents of an introductory language textbook (parts of the body, furnishing the house, finding a job/professions, emotions, etc), the fact that almost all games use language in one way or another allows a far wider range of games to be modded for usage in foreign language learning than other educational disciplines.

4. – Modding in ESL

There has been a recent increase in the number of game environments or engines that allow users to customize their gaming experiences by building and expanding game behavior. What is described here is the use of modifying, or modding, existing games as a means to learn English. A case of game modding in classroom settings is described to illustrate skills learned by students as a result of modding existing games, in this case the game which was modded is “The Sims 2”.

Below are some examples of how you can mod a videogame to suit your needs as a teacher as well as your students’. These are two sample activities that have been put into practice by teachers such as Mylene Catel, (http://www.mylenejcatel.com/) who have put an enormous amount of effort into this. Simply by playing the modded version of the game (The Sims 2), students are gradually exposed to heavy amounts of reading practice in the foreign language. However, designing specific reading comprehension tasks helps the teacher assess learning better. Next, I describe an activity which can be performed using the previously mentioned game:

Step 1. – Students write a description of their favorite imaginary landscape in the foreign language including any number of specific details (“There is a pristine water creek, there are many leafy trees in which birds gather to chirp”, “There is a family having a picnic nestled under the trees “, etc).

Step 1.5. – The teacher helps correct any mistakes in the students’ descriptions.

Step 2. Students randomly exchange their descriptions with one another via the game.

Step 3. Use the cheat mode to give students unlimited money.

Step 4. Students avail themselves of a mod tool given by the teacher and create the landscape outlined in their description.

Step 4.5. The teacher assesses how many of the specific details students correctly incorporated into their creations.

Step 5. Students once again exchange their finished descriptions.

Step 6. Students verbally describe to one another their creation. Students try to discern which landscape is the one they originally designed.

Chapter 2: Methodology

This research was conducted in order to determine whether playing videogames plays a significant role in the personal development and learning of a second language. It weighs the pros and cons of using this medium for learning and expresses what videogames are suitable for learning English and what videogames can enhance students’ reading, listening and speaking skills. I opted to obtain the view of language students from different schools. Specifically, students aged 18-25 from 2 schools within Xalapa were selected for this task, 10th semester students of the teaching area from the English B.A of the Universidad Veracruzana and advanced level students from Bristol Institute as informants from December 2007 to April 2008.

Selected participants answered a questionnaire about the role of videogames in ESL/EFL learning. In order to determine whether videogames play an important role in learning English more efficiently, a total of 20 respondents were asked to participate, 10 of them were from the Universidad Veracruzana and the other 10 were Bristol students.

Instrument. – A questionnaire was administered to collect as much data as possible. The questionnaire consisted of 10 open-ended questions of which five questions had to do with the participants learning English through videogames and the other five questions had to do with the participants’ views on whether or not videogames have enhanced their learning and comprehension of a foreign language. To achieve pertinent information, certain inclusion criteria were imposed. The participants chosen had to be students who had been studying English for at least 4 years. This qualification ensured the participants understanding the nature of this questionnaire and its use for teaching English, making the questionnaire items easy for them to understand.

My questionnaire which was administered to both populations was based on the following criteria:

How much English and how well these students had learnt it by using videogames.

The types of games they preferred in their learning process and how such games had helped acquiring their skills in English.

Procedure. – The administration of the questionnaire to the U.V student population was done when I was studying 10th semester of the English B.A. Therefore, the questionnaire was administered to my classmates at that time. However, to administer my questionnaire to the Bristol student population I had to ask for permission to the school principal, and after granting such, I was able to administer it, all in all both populations seemed to have no problems or questions at the time they answered it.

Chapter 3: Results and Discussion

In this chapter, I will present all data gathered from the questionnaire related to my research questions I administered to several students as well as charts representing the analysis of what was said in each question. The questions will be divided in two sections according to my research questions

How do students learn English through videogames?

What type of games do students play in their learning process and how they help?

Analysis of questions 1, 2,3,4,5 of the questionnaire – refer to section one.

1. – Is vocabulary, rather than syntax, more easily and consistently acquired from video games?

Out of the 20 students who answered this question 16 students said that vocabulary was best learned through this medium while 4 thought that syntax was the one best acquired.

From these answers it can be inferred that these students mostly learn vocabulary, and syntactical patterns from games. Nonetheless, the focus of what is to be learned will fall into what the students’ needs are. From my perspective students also benefit from learning pronunciation subconsciously because speech is present in most games.

2. – What grammatical patterns or chunks of language do you usually learn from videogames?

Out of the twenty students who answered this question, eleven answered that they usually learn phrasal verbs and idioms from videogames while the other nine students said they revise through videogames grammatical patterns such as reported speech and conditionals.

From these answers it can be inferred that for these students videogames help best as an aid to learn phrasal verbs and fixed expressions while others use them as revising materials.

3. – Do video games help language learners actually acquire language, or do they serve more as a linguistic priming or practicing device?

Out of the twenty students who answered this question twelve believed that videogames help language acquisition whereas the remaining eight believed they just serve as a practicing device

From these answers it can be assumed that videogames can serve as both a learning tool and a practicing device for these students. However, as a teacher you should have in mind the reason why you will employ them.

4. – Can language be acquired more effectively (more quickly and be retained longer) through video games than through other media?

From twenty students who answered this question seventeen agreed on their learning being quicker, more effective and easier to retain through videogames. However, another three said videogames had no benefit for them.

From these answers it can be assumed that for these students videogames are the perfect medium that can enable them to learn faster by learning the language subconsciously through something they might find entertaining because videogames lower their affective filter.

Chapter 4: Pedagogical Implications

In this chapter, I provide some examples of how videogames can be exploited to design many immersion activities for the ESL/EFL classroom. This chapter is organized into the following sections: RPG’s, RPG’s and the ESL classroom, elements of literature, debates on cultures, portfolios, character analysis, oral presentations, quizzes/tests and suggested games for classroom use.

1. – Role Playing Games

Not all video games can be considered classroom-safe. Many video games, while being visually stunning games in their own right, may either be too violent or too devoid of content to be used in an ESL classroom. There is, however, one genre of video games that is ideal for the ESL classroom: Role Playing Games (RPG’s) (Goldfayn, 2006). Traditionally, role plays are associated with a person pretending to be someone else. This is exactly what a RPG is. In RPGs, players take control of a character and embark on chilling journeys similar to those told in Edgar Allan Poe’s horror novels or heart-pounding adventures like those told in Jules Verne stories. According to Din (2002) “students become exposed to long hours of in-game dialogue, as well as substantial amounts of written text” while being immersed in a quest, perhaps one to save a kingdom, slay a demon or vampire, or save the world. As players retrieve information by interacting with other characters, they advance through the game with the purpose of reaching a final goal and objective just like in any lesson plan.

2. – RPGs in the ESL Classroom

If there were to be any kind of video games in an ESL classroom, it would be RPGs. In a video game ESL classroom session, the students will play through the game. During this play time the students become exposed to English language dialogue with various accents, which undoubtedly helps students develop their aural skills. RPGs also help them develop their reading skills, as the game will not continue unless the players, in this case students, meet certain requirements which are communicated to them through either spoken communication or written dialogue. Truly, exposure to a language or text does not create bilingual students; it is just not enough. That is why the teacher should plan certain activities to encourage students to share the experiences they just had playing the game and some other complementary activities to reinforce what they learned in the game.

3. – Elements of Literature (writing activity)

Every story, just like every game, has an introduction, action development, a climax, descending action, and an ending. Many stories, just like many games, have flashbacks, foreshadowing, and personification. It is always advisable to give students a brief introduction regarding these elements, so that they may be familiar with them when they run into them while playing through a game.

4. – Cultural Debates (oral activity)

The majority of RPGs have good stories, and all good stories have a setting. Before students get round to playing a game, the teacher should survey students’ knowledge of other cultures. Getting the students to start a debate on the similarities and differences in their culture or on different cultures in general is always a good way to start. You may begin the class by asking the students what they know about other cultures, a discussion on the Mayan culture, Feudal Japan or the American civil war usually get the students in a talkative and lively mood, as they can bring forth experiences they have had throughout their lives whether these be by watching movies, reading books or personal experiences. After the discussion, the teacher explains to students they are about to play a video game that has elements of different cultures in its world. The teacher should then provide a little information on the game and its characters, so that the students do not feel completely lost when they begin.

5. – The Portfolios

A portfolio is a collection of evidence that represents achievement and learning within a module/course or programme of study. The portfolio is a tool that can be used once a week, after playing the game. The student would have to write a short summary of what happened in the game as well as comment on the events from the game that they liked or disliked most. If students are at an advanced level they could be asked to comment on some of the more abstract concepts that appear in the game, such as love, friendship, and parenthood. Once the students have finished the game, they could be asked to write an entry regarding the elements of literature in the video game they played. Their writings would have to include short summaries of the events that happened in the game, so they would sort those events into the introduction, the rising action, the climax, the descending action, and the resolution of the game. Some games have open endings and require the players to fill in the gaps with their imagination. In case of such games, a good entry to ask the students for would be one in which they will have to account for what they think happened after the game ended.

6. – Character Analysis (oral activity)

Students can be asked to analyze their favorite character from the game. Starting with a drawing of the character, intermediate or beginner students could discuss how the character looks, speaks, and acts, while higher level students could discuss their character’s behavior, thoughts, and purposes. The student should always say what their chosen characters stand for (for example, Alex from “Lunar: the Silver Star” for the “Playstation” could be seen as someone who represents friendship, love, and heroism). This would be a great opportunity to teach students to empathize by asking them questions like “how would you have felt during this specific event in the game, had you been the character?”

7. – Oral Presentations

Another course of action is having students make short oral presentations on characters, themes, or plot segments of the game. If there is enough time and resources, the whole class could put together a play about an event or events from the game.

8. – Quizzes / Tests

A quiz or a test about a video game would be conducted in the same way a quiz or test about a short story or novel would be done. Questions could range from “reading comprehension” (Example: Who does Tidus fight against at the end of Final Fantasy X?) to essay type questions (Example: In Final Fantasy X, do you think Tidus resents his father? Why / Why not?)

8. – Suggested Games for Classroom Use

The following list contains several classroom-safe video games that can be used to teach English. This compilation is best aimed at being used with students between the ages of eighteen and twenty five in mind. They have cartoon-like visuals, an excellent score, funny characters and interesting plots.

Atelier Iris 2 (Sony Playstation 2): A RPG about an alchemist out to prove himself and make use of his awesome skills. Atelier Iris 2 focuses on two main characters whom you can assume at will. One character embarks on adventures in distant worlds, facing off against enemies via a turn-based battle system. The other character stays behind at home and creates items and weapons.

Arc the Lad (Sony Playstation): The first game in the series that really redefined what a Strategy/RPG could be, introduces players to a magical world teetering on the edge of destruction. Only the young Arc possesses the power to stop the impending destruction, as he fights his way to unsealing the power of the Ark, with help from his friends Kukuru, Poco, Tosh, Gogen, and Iga.

Final Fantasy VII (Sony Playstation): An epic and unforgettable RPG adventure. What begins as a rebellion against the evil corporation “shinra” becomes much more. And what erupts goes beyond imagination. With vivid landscapes, lush 3D animation and environments.

Final Fantasy X (Sony Playstation 2): Enter a fantasy world where humans are on the brink of extinction. In this all-new RPG, you must stop a powerful force called “Sin” that destroys cities and lives. Along your journey, you will meet Tidus a star blitzball player and Yuna a young woman with who is skilled in summoning and controlling powerful spirits. Final Fantasy X is the first Final Fantasy game to feature voiceovers with advanced facial expressions. Travel to uncharted seas and treacherous lands in a quest to save mankind.

Lunar: The Silver Star Story (Sony Playstation): Journey back to a place where dragons yet live, and magic is valued above all else. Join Alex, the young adventurer, as he begins a quest with his friends to save their land from the relentless advance of the Magic Emperor. Explore Dungeons, fight terrifying monsters, and gather information from the locals as you advance toward the final decisive encounter with the Magic Emperor himself! Exciting, menu-driven combat will keep you challenged until the last. LUNAR contains nearly an hour of incredible animation sequences that will get you involved in the story faster than you ever thought possible.

Super Paper Mario (Nintendo Wii): The newest chapter of the Paper Mario story. What at first glance appears to be a 2-Dimensional sidescroller ripped straight from the pages of the Paper Mario universe soon turns into a 3-D action-adventure that defies all video game logic. Fusing 2-D and 3-D perspectives, not to mention RPG and platformer elements, the game slips back and forth between dimensions. The action spreads out across eight worlds filled with traps, puzzles, bizarre mysteries and items.

Radiata Stories (Sony Playstation 2): Radiata Stories is a fantasy role-playing game set in a world where humans and fairies have peacefully coexisted. Now a war has broken out, and you must guide two young leading characters in a mission to save Radiata from destruction. Combat features a real-time link system in which multiple characters can combine abilities to form more powerful attacks. Radiata Stories also features an interactive environment and more than 175 characters that you can recruit to join and help you on your quest.

The sims series (PC): Build, buy, and live. The Sims give you the chance to create simulated people and build their homes, then help your Sims pursue careers, earn money, make friends, and find romance or totally mess up their lives. Keep your Sims happy by decorating your home with over 150 objects in the game and downloadable ones from TheSims.com. Test your “people skills” as you deal with family, friends, careers, and chaos. There is no right or wrong way to play the game.

Suikoden series (Sony Playstation / Playstation 2): Treachery is eating like a maggot at the heart of the Scarlet Moon Empire. But is the Empire corrupt or the people just disloyal? Only you can find out. Take the role of an Imperial Guard in this epic tale of betrayal, greed and honour as he struggles to find the truth. Head teams of fighters and magicians in battles against weird monsters then lead an army into battle against awesome opponents.

Legacy of Kain Defiance (Playstation 2): Demons, death, and dark forces cloud the vampire world. In this episode of the Legacy of Kain series, you play as both Raziel, a demonic angel of death, and Kain, an all-powerful vampire demigod. Use telekinetic powers, combo moves, and legendary swords to fight your way through monsters and undead foes. Replenish your energy by sucking the blood and devouring your enemies’ souls. Stop the forces that seek to condemn the world to eternal damnation.

Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess (Nintendo Wii): In the next chapter in the Legend of Zelda series, Link can transform into a wolf to scour the darkened land of Hyrule. With the help of Midna, a mysterious being, you must guide Link through hordes of foul creatures and challenging bosses using new moves and a new horseback combat system.

Eternal Darkness ( Nintendo Gamecube ): This horror story spans generations, so you must relive the blood-soaked history while conjuring spells, solving puzzles, and slaying supernatural beasts. Whether you are impersonating the Roman Centurion, Cambodian villager, or any of the other characters, the psychological thriller will challenge you to use your mind as well as your might. The story is historically based and features many significant real-world events and locations, including the blood-stained fields of the Somme, the jungle-ridden temples of Angkor Wat, the deserts of Persia, and the haunted valleys of Rhode Island.

Conclusion

Language learning is a never ending process which requires dedication and effort at every moment and must be maintained over a long period of time. Games can be a stimulating tool and encourage many learners to be interested in language learning. Video games can be used to improve ESL/EFL instruction. They expose students to the language, both spoken and written. In addition, the teacher can do several activities involving listening and reading, which allows for integration of the four language skills. Video games also keep the students interested in their stories, so they are willingly to immerse themselves in their story worlds. I have had a few experiences with students doing “book reports” on video games, and they are usually more motivated than the students who do them on ordinary books. Although their writing usually improves at the same level of students who do book reports on novels, the pronunciation, speaking and listening abilities of the students who play video games improves faster than those who do not play.

Games also help teachers create meaningful contexts for the language in which learners want to take part and to successfully doing so have to get across what others have said or written, and they must speak or write in order to express their own perspectives or relay information. To achieve success in using videogame classroom instruction you must first come to realize if the learners respond to the content in a definite way. If they are amused, angered, intrigued or surprised the content is clearly meaningful to them.

Furthermore, the meaning of the language they listen to, read, speak and write will be better experienced and, therefore, remembered more accurately. If it is accepted that games can provide contextual and meaningful practice of language, then they should be considered primal to a teacher’s curriculum. Therefore, they are not for use just on rainy days or holidays.

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