Language Development Through Video Games

This past year, “Santa surprised” our family with a PlayStation. It was an exciting moment for my kids, ages 13 and 10, who had been eagerly anticipating this gift. Along with the console, I decided to purchase a selection of games. As part of the deal, I laid down some ground rules: I would set passwords to control access, create a schedule for when and how they could play, and supervise certain games. Some games were also off-limits for my 10-year-old. 

As a parent and educator, I’ve always believed in the educational value of video games. I grew up playing them myself and know firsthand how they can develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and strategic planning. My experience didn’t stop at playing, either, I began coding my own simple games as a teenager. This opened up a new world of learning for me, particularly in language development. In my home country of Venezuela, I relied on English-language “Learn How to Code..” books to learn to program (usually, the most updated were only available in English). Through trial and error, I developed not just coding skills but also a second language, an idea I have covered in a previous post. It was a deeply immersive and rewarding experience that highlighted the power of games and coding as a tool for learning.

Today, I see similar benefits unfolding for my kids. My 10-year-old plays Roblox with friends, often engaging in complex conversations via video chat on their iPad. Their discussions involve planning attacks, strategizing solutions to problems, or exploring virtual worlds together. What amazes me is the level of sophistication in the vocabulary they use during these sessions. Words like “coordinate,” “fortify,” and “evade” are commonplace, along with phrases that demonstrate teamwork and tactical thinking. These moments remind me of how video games create a natural environment for language development.

One strategy I’ve used with my kids on other games, whether on the iPad, Nintendo Switch, or now the PlayStation, is to change the language of the game or even the entire console to Spanish. My goal with this approach is to help my kids strengthen their Spanish skills, as English is naturally reinforced at school. For example, I recently switched a Star Wars game to Spanish, and it was fascinating to see their reactions. The game featured Spanish from Mexico, and my kids noted that some of the characters sounded like family members from my wife’s side of the family. This strategy is incredibly effective because it immerses them in the language, encouraging active listening and reading while keeping the experience engaging and fun. It’s a practical way to weave language development into an activity they already enjoy.

Another variation I use is to keep the audio in Spanish while leaving the subtitles in English. This helps them develop their listening skills in Spanish, and if they are unsure about the meaning of certain words, they can check the subtitles. Interestingly, this is a similar strategy I use with my college students preparing for the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT) for their teacher certification as bilingual educators. By exposing them to academic language in Spanish while providing English scaffolding, they build both confidence and proficiency.

The Educational Power of Video Games

While video games often get a bad rap for being distractions, they can be incredibly valuable educational tools when used thoughtfully. They engage players in immersive worlds where problem-solving, storytelling, and collaboration are key to success. For bilingual students and English learners, video games can provide a powerful medium for language acquisition.

• Authentic Language Practice: Many games require players to follow complex instructions, engage in dialogue, and interpret written and spoken language. For example, role-playing games like Elden Ring, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild immerse players in rich narratives, requiring them to process and apply language in real-time.
• Cultural Literacy and Storytelling: Games often draw on mythology, history, and cultural references. Playing Elden Ring with my older child has sparked discussions about folklore, symbolism, and world-building—topics that naturally connect to literature and social studies.
• Social-Emotional Growth: Collaborative games like Roblox teach teamwork, resilience, and negotiation. My younger child’s ability to articulate plans and adjust strategies with their friends demonstrates how games foster critical soft skills alongside language development.

Incorporating insights from James Paul Gee, a renowned researcher in linguistics and education, adds depth to the discussion on how games can support language development. Gee, often considered a pioneer in the study of video games as learning tools, emphasizes the concept of “situated meaning,” where players learn language contextually as they navigate game scenarios. Instead of rote memorization, they adapt their language use to fit different contexts, enriching their understanding of pragmatics. His work highlights how video games encourage active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration, which are key elements for language acquisition and beyond.

Extending Learning Beyond the Classroom with Video Games

Incorporating video games directly into classroom instruction can be challenging, particularly with the need to align with state and district-mandated curricula. However, video games can still play a valuable role in education when used as part of meaningful and playful home-based learning activities. In a previous blog post, I shared how I introduced “Homeplay” as an alternative to traditional homework, which I have covered previously in this blog. This approach transformed homework into playful, engaging activities that aligned with the learning objectives in my classroom. These activities often involved technology or everyday materials found at home, and they encouraged collaboration with parents to make the experience more impactful.

Building on this idea, here are three strategies for using video games as part of home play, allowing students to extend their classroom learning in a meaningful and enjoyable way:

• Game-Based Writing Prompts: Assign students creative or expository writing tasks based on video game storylines. For example, students could write an alternate ending to a quest, craft a backstory for a character, or explain how they solved a specific challenge in the game. These prompts can encourage bilingual or ESL students to use academic language while engaging their imaginations.
• Collaborative Home Projects: Encourage students to work with siblings, parents, or friends at home to create walkthroughs or presentations about a video game. For instance, they could record a video explaining how to complete a level or write a guide describing the game’s mechanics and strategies. These activities promote academic language and teamwork while fostering a sense of accomplishment.
• Content-Based Learning at Home: Use video games with educational themes as a basis for playful exploration of academic concepts. For example:
  • 1. Assign a Minecraft project where students build a structure that demonstrates principles of geometry or physics.
    2. Encourage students to play a game like Civilization and discuss how historical events or cultural elements are represented in the game.
    3. Use games with language options (e.g., Spanish) to create immersive language experiences that connect to classroom objectives.

Best Practices for Using Video Games Educationally

To make video games a positive force in education, parents and teachers should adopt thoughtful strategies:

• Supervised Play: Set clear guidelines about which games are appropriate and ensure playtime is balanced with other activities.
• Purposeful Game Selection: Look for games that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and storytelling. Puzzle games, historical simulations, and open-world exploration games are great options.
• Language Scaffolding: Pair gaming activities with lessons that build academic language. For example, have students read and discuss in-game dialogue or write about their gaming experiences in journals.

A Call to Embrace Gaming as a Learning Tool

Reflecting on my kids’ experiences (and my own), I see video games as a bridge between entertainment and education. They create immersive, interactive spaces where language comes alive, ideas are tested, and collaboration is key. For emergent bilingual learners, these games can provide the meaningful, contextualized practice needed to grow their language skills and confidence.

As parents and educators, we have an opportunity to harness the potential of video games in a way that is both structured and supportive. By doing so, we can help our students and children level up, not just in the virtual worlds they explore but in the real-world skills they develop along the way.

Recommended Games

Here’s a list of video games I have played and would recommend.

• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition: A classic strategy game emphasizing resource allocation, historical context, and military strategy.
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Great for younger players, offering opportunities to practice language skills through interactions with villagers and completing in-game tasks.
• Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Set in ancient Greece, this game is a treasure trove of historical and cultural references, including mythology, politics, and daily life.
• Civilization VI: A turn-based strategy game that teaches players about world history, diplomacy, and geography as they build and manage civilizations.
• Elden Ring: Combines exploration, strategy, and lore-based storytelling. Offers opportunities to discuss mythology, architecture, and historical themes.
• Kerbal Space Program: Teaches physics, engineering, and space exploration through building and launching spacecraft.
• Minecraft: A sandbox game perfect for fostering creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. Players can build structures, solve puzzles, and explore biomes while developing spatial reasoning.
• Portal 2: A puzzle-platformer that sharpens logical reasoning and spatial awareness while weaving a humorous and engaging narrative.
• Roblox: Offers an open-ended platform for game creation and social collaboration. Great for developing both creative and language skills in multiplayer scenarios.
• Spider-Man: Miles Morales: Immerses players in a rich story, incorporating science and technology themes. Ideal for sparking discussions about engineering, physics, and urban culture.
• Spider-Man 2: Beyond its story, the game includes science lab puzzles and references to real-world technologies.
• Stardew Valley: Teaches resource management, economics, and problem-solving in a fun, farming-simulation environment.
• Star Wars Jedi: Survivor: Rich dialogue and storytelling can be adapted to Spanish or other languages, offering immersion for language learners.
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: Encourages players to follow clues, read maps, and interpret dialogue, enhancing reading and comprehension skills.

References:

• Casañpitarch, R. (2018). An approach to digital game-based learning: Video-games principles and applications in foreign language learning. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.0906.04
• Gee, J. P. (2003). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. Computers in Entertainment, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1145/950566.950595
• Rulyansah, A., Hidayat, M. T., Rihlah, J., Shari, D., & Mariati, P. (2023). Digital Play for Enhancing Language Learning in Early Grades. Pegem Egitim ve Ogretim Dergisi, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.13.02.22