Abstract

Video games’ numerous and repeated dialogues, instructions and menus may be useful to second language learners. Students who play video games in their foreign language can experiment with interactive worlds and stories. Unique video game systems and feedback can also help learners understand and practice words and grammar in context. The potential for language learning with video games is critiqued in these six investigations of popular game genres. Each evaluation is based on tests, observations, interviews and diary data that provide evidence for various successes and failures of video game based language learning. Implications and recommendations are offered for researchers, teachers, students and designers interested in video games and language learning.