Learning foreign languages doesn’t have to be stressful and boring, it can be an enjoyable experience. When taught through interactive mediums, understanding a new language is actually really simple. Research has shown that in addition to learning a language using traditional classroom methods, playing games enhances your ability to master it.
You will be able to grasp a new language faster and retain your notions for longer when you combine your classes with something as fun and memorable as games. That being said, learning a language solely through games isn’t realistic. Yet, here are the 4 reasons why playing games help you learn foreign languages faster.
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Games are fun and interactive
Research says that young people spend approximately 6 hours a week on average playing video games. Most people, including students, play games for leisure. Playing games helps one pass the time in an enjoyable manner and alleviate stress while doing it. This is why a lot of teachers utilize quizzes and games to assess their students instead of using traditional methods.
The stress that comes with school, tests, and assignments can greatly affect a student’s ability to learn. This often manifests in tension and anxiety that stand in the way of healthy student life. Hobbies like painting, watching movies and TV, and playing video games help alleviate some of this stress. In addition to this, playing games that encourage communication help students learn languages while conversing with people from different places.
Games help with cognitive and linguistic development
When combined with a well-rounded curriculum, games greatly contribute to the development of skills that help young children learn and grasp foreign languages quickly. Cognitive development refers to the ability of a child to think and reason. This also includes the skills that aid in perceiving new concepts, like foreign languages.
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Language acquisition in childhood is one of the most important life skills that children need to learn in their first few years. Being able to distinguish one sound from another and developing speech patterns during infancy is what allows children to grow into fully mature individuals. Watching videos, talking and listening to other people, playing games, and reading books are some of the activities that help children in developing these skills.
Playing games can help bridge the gaps formed during a traditional education. Children should be pushed to self-learn rather than have everything spoon-fed to them. Games are a great way to do this, as learning by translating helps in learning a new language faster. Some of the best translation agencies reviewed by TranslationReport assist customers with the same.
Games improve communication skills
As mentioned above, young children gain communication skills faster from actually conversing with people. No level of advanced school education can make up for the lack of communication. Playing games where you compete in teams and have to talk to people gets you to communicate and learn from others. Other games like Scrabble motivate young children to learn languages and develop grammatical skills.
A lot of online game chat rooms have people playing from all around the world. Gamers come across fellow gamers from various countries there. An exchange of information and culture leads to informal communication, creating a system where everyone finds it easy to talk to each other. Enhanced communication skills allow you to learn a language quickly and retain it for longer.
Thus, by improving your communication skills by playing video games, you’ll be able to easily pick up a new language, no matter how difficult it is.
Games facilitate in-context learning
Video games simulate real-world situations, which allow young children to grasp and hold whatever they learn in a better way. Learning a language or developing skills in an immersive atmosphere also gives children the opportunity to use newly obtained notions in their everyday lives. The context and feedback give them the chance to use what they learn in their own lives. There are so many reasons for students to learn foreign languages.
Consistent practice is important for everything, especially languages. Since gamers play games almost every day of the week, they are able to continuously practice and improve. Taking their gaming experience into the real world prepares them for any circumstances that they may not have expected. Experiencing simulated challenges before having to deal with them in real life is always helpful.
Learning doesn’t end at school. By taking part in leisure activities that teach you various things, you can make learning fun and enjoyable. Conventional study methods are proven to work well, but sometimes, when life gets a little too monotonous, it is good to shake things up. Games are a fun way of doing just that. These are the reasons why playing games help you learn foreign languages faster.
