How to Power Up and Learn English Through Gaming

There’s no need to choose between playing your Nintendo Switch or studying English anymore. Now you can practise your skills while having fun with your friends online.

In fact, playing video games can be a surprisingly effective way to learn English. You get a lot of extra exposure to the language to level up your listening and reading skills. And depending on the game, you can even improve your writing and speaking skills too.

Unconvinced? Let’s take a closer look at how to learn English through gaming and some tips on how to make the most of it.

Can you learn English by playing video games?

Gaming provides a natural, interactive environment for language learning. You can explore the virtual world in the same way you would a foreign country, just from the comfort of your own home.

Plus, video games need you to be an active participant. If you stop paying attention, it’s game over and you have to start all over again.

That being said, you can’t learn English through playing video games alone. They lack the structured lessons needed to build a strong foundation in grammar, syntax and pronunciation. Plus video games don’t tend to cover many everyday, informal situations so relying on them to learn English may leave you with some gaps in your vocabulary.

How to learn English by playing video games

There are a lot of video games out there. Here’s how you can use different types to practise your English skills:

Use language learning apps

Some games are designed for language learners, mixing entertainment with lessons. They make the grammar or vocabulary point the challenge you must overcome to proceed to the next level. If you play online, you may be able to compare yourself to others on a leaderboard.

Duolingo is the most famous example but Drops and LingoDeer are growing in popularity. Many of them are even free to download from the app store.

Play educational games

Educational games can help you take a more multidisciplinary approach. You can learn about subjects like science or history while enhancing your English language skills.

What you choose really depends on your interests. History fans might enjoy the Oregon Trail, which teaches you about life in 19th-century America. Meanwhile, animal lovers are more likely to get a kick out of Zoo Tycoon where they can run their own zoo.

Follow the story

Many adventure games are built around a narrative, meaning they contain a lot of audio or text. You can practise just by switching the settings to English.

Some obvious picks are the Super Mario and the Legend of Zelda series. Both require you to interact with characters, watch cut scenes and solve language-based puzzles.

If you don’t want to pay for new releases, look for indie games with a lower price tag. Some of these games have truly unique concepts. For example, Goose Game lets you play as a ‘horrible goose’ and gives you a list of ways to terrorise the people living in your town. And Hollow Knight has you battling zombie insects in an underground civilisation.

Try puzzle games

Perhaps adventure games aren’t for you. You might not enjoy exploring virtual worlds and battling bad guys or feel there aren’t enough language learning opportunities.

Puzzle games might be a good alternative as they get you to use logic to solve problems and move through the levels. They’re often more text and audio-based. For example, Professor Layton requires players to read a lot of dialogue and there are seven versions already out with more to follow.

Switch to multiplayer mode

None of these options gives you much chance to practise your speaking. That’s where multiplayer mode comes in.

Most recent platforms let you use the communication features with any multiplayer game now. You don’t have to stick to first-person shooters if you don’t like them. It’s possible to play virtual board games, strategy and races while chatting with others online.

Tips on making the most of video games

Although gaming can be fun, getting intentional can help you improve your English skills faster. Here’s some tips on getting more out of video games:

Closing thoughts

Video gaming can be a powerful study tool if you go about it the right way. That means you can’t just spend a few hours on your PlayStation instead of doing homework and expect your English to improve.

Tutors can help you incorporate video games into studying. Many English teachers are gaming fans themselves and would be happy to teach you relevant grammar and vocabulary. They may also have advice on the best games to play.

Want guidance on how to use games in self-study? Book a lesson with Oxford House.

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Level up (pv): to improve or move to another level.

From the comfort of one’s own home (phr): doing something at home in a relaxed and convenient way.

Game over (id): used to say that something will come to an end, in a way that is unsatisfactory or unsuccessful.

Get a kick out of (phr): to enjoy something a lot.

Cut scene (n): a short video game scene that tells some of the story, often removing the player’s control.

Terrorise (v): to annoy, frighten or threaten someone repeatedly.

First-person shooter (n): a type of video game where you see the action from the character’s point of view and use weapons.

Diehard (adj): very loyal or determined.

Like-minded (adj): people who share the same interests, opinions or ideas.

Go about (pv): to handle something in a standardised way.

Key

pv = phrasal verb

phr = phrase

n = noun

v = verb

adj = adjective