Language acquisition through digital games

• Published in: Mount Royal Undergraduate Education Review 2015-12, Vol.1 (3)
• Main Author: Vanderwal, Sarah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2368-0024; 2368-0024
• DOI: 10.29173/mruer318

This study strives to answer the question “Do educational video games focusing on language provide a better learning experience than traditional language education?” Research was focused on the differences between the language acquisition and enjoyment that these games provide in contrast to traditional pen-and-paper teaching methods. A literature study showed mixed results as to the effectiveness of these games. A survey, as well as interviews with experts in the field were conducted. This study concluded that while language games are more enjoyable to the student than traditional teaching methods, their use in the classroom does have several disadvantages. This led to the conclusion that while digital language games can be useful teaching tool, they should be used in conjunction with more traditional methods.