Video games and language learning: incidental (technical) vocabulary acquisition through video games
Abstract
Although several empirical studies in the past focused solely on the negative effects of video games, more recent studies have demonstrated their positive effects as well; studies into the use of games as educational tools, and specifically tools for teaching and learning second languages, show promising results. Most of these studies center vocabulary acquisition as their focus, which may happen through intentional learning or in such a way that the learner almost does
not notice the acquisition of new vocabulary items (through incidental learning). Vocabulary development is a long and laborious task for second-language learners, and one advantage of using video games for second language acquisition is that games’ primary function is entertainment. As such, games grant players, who are at once also L2 learners, the opportunity to encounter contextualized, authentic L2 content, and to use the target language in context while being engaged in an enjoyable leisure activity. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the advantages of video games as tools of second language acquisition and to present some games which may serve as a way for learners to acquire new vocabulary elements.
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