Practice a foreign language through computer games

Computer games - a good example of how long a person can keep the attention on one task. Why do not we take advantage of this for the benefit of learning the language?

In this article I want to share my opinion on what types of games are suitable for language learning, and provide a list of those that I found effective. Hopefully in the future there will be more games that are suitable for this purpose. Better yet, if the developers will lay the opportunity to learn a language based gameplay. I'm sure it would have increased the demand for the game, given that many regard them as a way to kill time misspent.

The good and bad of the game in terms of language learning
There are two types of games that are suitable for learning languages:
I. Any online games, for the passage of which need to communicate with other players.
II. Solitary games that you can play with interest only when knowledge of the language

Under the first type of approach online games with joint passage , as they create additional incentives for communication. In contrast to the practice with language partners, online tutoring and language exchange - in games, you always have a topic of conversation, and often there is a need to quickly convey critical information for the victory. This is what makes some online games are a good tool for learning the language.

A few examples:
Карл, boy from Denmark, was the best in class in English, playing WoW. Dion, freelance writer, wrote PhD for learning Spanish through WoW; games for 8 months jumped 2 levels of language proficiency. Single games in which it is impossible to play with interest without knowledge of the language The perfect game of this type - text adventure
List of singles for language learning
The list is not complete, I welcome your additions in the comments.

Games are listed in the following pattern:
The name of the game and a link to the site. Minimum level of knowledge of the language for the game. Supported platforms. Video-gameplay. Description - briefly about the game. The pros and cons from the perspective of language learning.

1. Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments h5> Minimum level: pre-intermediate
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4.ZabAbJfSk



One of the best games for language learning. As a non-linear storyline in the game, and you decide who committed the murder and how to punish the offender, - there is interest really understand the situation. And it needs to listen carefully and re-read the dialogues, read all found letters, notes, articles in books and stuff and build of the resulting prerequisites true picture of what happened (otherwise sit in jail an innocent man (!)).
Search the evidence leaves little time - in this respect, developers fellows: Prevent hour reel to locations in search of subjects.

Pros:

It is possible to re-read the dialogues; Slow clear speech, good diction, different accents; In order to progress through the game you must read the letters, clippings newspapers pages from books, notes etc.; You must operate in small text fragments to build a chain of conclusions. Part time yet you just need to go and look for clues.

2 . The Walking Dead: season one h5> Minimum level: intermediate
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, IOS, Android.



The game is similar to the movie, the plot of which is developed according to the decisions of the player. Most of the time you need to listen to the dialogue and to choose between different options. Time limited selection dialog - you need to read and quickly determined with the choice, otherwise the character just keep silent.

Pros:

Many dialogues; There is a mobile version. Sometimes you have to spend time walking; requires a good knowledge of the language (you can not put a pause).

3. The Walking Dead: season two h5> Minimum level: intermediate
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, IOS, Android.



Continuation of the first part. Most of the time listening to the dialogue.

Pros:

Many dialogues; You can put a pause to keep up with all the reading; There is a mobile version. You have to spend time walking;

The Wolf Among Us h5> Minimum level: intermediate
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, IOS, Android.



As in Walking dead, most of the time you need to listen to the dialogue, to make difficult decisions and to monitor developments. A good story, the outcome is unexpected.

Pros:

Many dialogues; You can put a pause; There is a mobile version. You have to spend time walking.

Game of Thrones: a telltale games series h5> Minimum level: intermediate
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, IOS, Android.



An excellent opportunity to practice the language for the fans of the series of the same name. The game begins around the end of the third season; during the game interact with characters from the series, which are quite similar both in appearance and characters.

Pros:

Many dialogues; You can put a pause; There is a mobile version. You have to spend time walking.

The Stanley Parable h5> Minimum level: pre-intermediate
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux



In the game you just need to go and listen to the story. Depending on which door you enter, the story changes. There are 16 endings, so that through the game nuzhnomozhno several times.

Pros:

There are subtitles; Almost always listen to it. Not only the original game time.

Life is strange < / h5> Minimum level: intermediate
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One



Interakivnogo game in the genre of cinema, like a game studio Telltale games (all games listed here, except for Sherlock and Stanley), but there are a number of advantages. Gameplay includes the ability to rewind time back that allows you to change your decisions, engage more effectively. This ability enables language learners the opportunity several times pereslushivat dialogues for better absorption. In addition, the main character is a diary in which you can read everything that happens to you - it's convenient if you're missing something.

Pros:

There are subtitles; You can rewind time and pereslushivat dialogue; There is a diary with narration; Many dialogues; < Frequent comments of the game character. You have to spend time on the walk. Conclusion
Games are suitable for language learning because they allow long to keep your attention on one task. By and large, there is no difference whether you are reading the text of "The capital of Great Britain" or subtitle text dialogue in the game; Have you talked with a tutor or with another player - a native speaker.

Suitable for the practice of two types of games:

1. Online games for the passage which need to communicate with other players. Playing with native speakers, together allowing game situations, you're in a relaxed form master the language. Games provide additional threads to communicate and create incentives to quickly convey the necessary information (the target language).

2. Single games that are not fun to play without knowing the language, and that encourage you to work with the text of most of the playing time.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/245262/