Who learned English from video games?
Hello, friends! Today I want to talk about how it happened that many of us actually learned English thanks to video games. I am still asked: “Is it true that it all started with a computer chair and a monitor screen?” – and I always answer with a smile: “How else?!” The topic is really interesting, because now knowing English opens up a lot of opportunities, and once we just wanted to play our favorite game without a dictionary.
The content of the article
How I Started Learning English Thanks to Video Games
As a child, I dreamed of being able to chat in English easily, but at school everything was done according to textbooks, and the lessons seemed too narrow-minded. But in the evening, when I turned on the computer and immersed myself in the world of RPGs or action shooters, I didn’t even notice how I began to understand English phrases. Word for word – and now you understand that the character advises you to find “the mysterious cave behind the waterfall”! At such moments, I grabbed the dictionary, made big eyes and rejoiced when I found the translation.
But let's be honest: I'm not the only one who tried to learn a language not through boring exercises, but through his favorite games. Perhaps some of you also learned the word "impossible" only after ten unsuccessful attempts to win that very difficult quest? These funny cases are what make our gaming community truly native.
By the way, while studying topics about how games improve language skills, I came across an interesting review https://fishki.net/4776242-csgo-battlefield-fifa-i-pubg-sekrety-populjarnosti-veteranov-industrii.html. It talks about such high-profile projects as CS:GO, Battlefield, FIFA and PUBG. At the same time, the authors tell the secret of their long-lasting popularity. If you look deeper, all these cult titles not only became "veterans" of the gaming industry, but also helped millions of gamers master a foreign language. Everyone has their own path, but common points are repeated - from text chats to memorizing the names of ammunition.
When I was little, I didn’t have a clear goal: “Now I’ll sit down at the game and learn ten new words.” Everything happened by itself – dialogues, tasks, in-game descriptions. The game literally “threw” me into an English-speaking environment, where I wanted to or didn’t want to, but absorbed words, phrases and expressions. I remember how I could never understand what the letters HP meant until I figured out that these were health points – that is, “health points”! I will never forget that sincere delight when I finally figured out that this word was health, and not “helz” or something like “helph”.
How Video Games Can Help Improve Language
Why do we pick up English from games so quickly? The secret is engagement. When you're immersed in missions, competing with friends online, and trying to figure out what an NPC is joking about, your brain is on full alert.
There are no boring rules here, there is real motivation: to survive, to win, to get a new achievement, to figure out how this or that item works.
My first discoveries
I decided to share a few key points that I noticed in games that help improve the language. Here is a short list that will be a lifesaver for those who are going to repeat my experience:
- Immersion in a plot in a foreign language (texts, voice acting, interface)
- Online communication with players from all over the world (exchange phrases and memes)
- Passive memorization of words through repetition in different contexts
- Subconscious "reading" of grammatical constructions
- Interest in finding a translation is out of curiosity, not under duress
Dialogues, emotions and... embarrassments!
Sometimes we just can't avoid live dialogues. Personally, I remember the first time I went to a voice server where guys from different countries had gathered. I say "Hello, guys!" and the answer is: "Hey, dude, what's up?" - and then I realize that my vocabulary has been forgotten, and I can't quickly figure out how to answer. Of course, "um", "uh" and other miracles of articulation began. But what a drive it was!
I immediately started getting into funny situations. I needed to give instructions to the team, but my tongue was tied. As a result, they looked at me with a silent question: "What does he want from us?" Like a parrot, I would repeat one word ten times, or try to explain myself through the "body language" in the game (that is, I danced around, jumping and strafe). But after a couple of such sessions, you start learning "turn left", "cover me", "throw a smoke" and other useful phrases faster than in any textbook.
Why Old and New Games Are Equally Good for Learning
It would be a mistake to think that only modern projects with high-quality voice acting are suitable for language practice. Retro games are full of masterpieces that taught us basic expressions - just remember the classic console RPGs, where descriptions of objects were given only in English. And you either read or don't play!
The same goes for new games. Now “ultra-modern” projects like the aforementioned CS:GO, Battlefield, FIFA and PUBG from the article "CS:GO, Battlefield, FIFA, and PUBG: Secrets of Industry Veterans' Popularity" have a large global fan base, powerful eSports tournaments and dozens (if not hundreds) of ways to communicate with the international community. English is like a bridge between all the players here. And the more you practice, the faster your language “pumping” grows.
Personal life hacks and tips
If we have already found out that many people learn English through games, let's figure out how to make this process as effective as possible. I can share my experience without unnecessary ceremony and paperwork:
- Play with the original (English) voiceover and subtitles - this way you will both hear and see how the words are written.
- Don't be shy about speaking in voice chat, even if you feel like you sound "clumsy" - it will get easier each time.
- Use dictionaries and online translators to clarify the meanings of words that often appear in quests or in the interface.
- Keep a "gamer" dictionary where you write down new words, phrases and expressions (especially slang!).
- Watch let's plays and streams of English-speaking bloggers to improve your listening comprehension.
As you can see, nothing supernatural. The main thing is regularity and more gaming enthusiasm. And, of course, the desire to find out what these mysterious characters are talking about, where the "secret lever" is, or why the whole team is shouting "rush B!" I went through this and I believe that the best incentive for learning is practical interest.
A little bit about my "game school" of English
When my parents saw me sitting at the computer and diligently writing out incomprehensible words, they were puzzled: “Is this really that stupid shooter?” – “Mom, Dad, this is my school English notebook!” In general, they had to come to terms with the fact that I was getting good grades in class thanks to that same “shooter and reader” on the PC.
As a result, my classmates were puzzled as to how I learned so many phrases. All I needed to do was understand where to look for the "defuse kit" or how to switch to the "sniper scope." Even grammar was easier to master because my eyes were constantly coming across real examples in NPC dialogues.
Feeling of freedom and confidence
Remembering all this, I understand that we learn a language faster when we are interested. And what could be more interesting than a game where you are a hero, a savior of the world or a participant in a football championship? All these battles, joint forays, tactical discussions and simple friendly squabbles give us invaluable experience of “live” English. And, damn, this is a great reason to master an international language and feel like part of a large gaming family!
Perhaps someone will read this and think: "Come on, I've been playing games for a long time and haven't improved any languages." But if you look closely, you'll probably recognize menu inscriptions, understand spoken instructions, and general in-game jokes faster than people who've never opened a title in English. Often, our growth is unnoticeable to ourselves, but in practice it works wonders.
Final thoughts
So, video games have long become not just entertainment, but a real educational platform. If you still doubt whether it is worth "learning through games", remember that many schools around the world already use game methods for learning languages! Of course, it is important to find a balance so that games remain fun and do not turn into mindless "sticking". But with the right approach, this is a real treasure trove for developing conversational skills, expanding vocabulary and general language practice.
So learning English through video games is a very real story. I have been through this path and I know that it brings joy, a bunch of new friends and moral satisfaction from the fact that you understand what is being said in the most diverse corners of the virtual universe. Join in, experiment and, who knows, maybe in the next game you will find your new favorite word or treasured phrase that will open the door to the world of international communication.
Isn't it great that people all over the world play the same projects, tell each other funny stories, exchange strategies and learn (even if only a little) English in the process? Turn on your favorite game, start conversations with your teammates and discover, as if you don't even notice, that you can read subtitles faster and answer questions without long pauses. Good luck on this path and may each new phrase become a step towards exciting acquaintances and victories!
