Have you tried to use video games to improve your English?
- Listen to learn which games I recommend.
- First, try listening without reading the transcript. After that, listen again to check for any words you might’ve missed.
- You’ll also find a quiz at the end!
Transcript:
One of the best ways to improve your English is to find enjoyable ways to keep practicing outside of class. Today we’ll be talking about my top 3 video game recommendations that’ll help you to level up your English skills while having fun!
So, before we talk about my favorite games, let’s first talk about my criteria for including these games on my list—or, in other words, what exactly made me choose these games instead of any others. The first thing I considered was if the game was focused on dialogue, or conversations, between characters. All the games on this list revolve around talking to characters, listening to what they say, responding, and making choices. These choices will determine if a character lives or dies, if that character becomes an enemy, friend, or lover, and ultimately the direction your story will take. The second factor I considered is if the game dealt with themes that adult players would find interesting. In all the games I mention, you will face real problems related to everything from poverty and politics to issues of sexuality and freedom. As you play these games and interact with the fantasy world, you’ll reflect on your own philosophical and moral values. So, let’s get to the list!
The Walking Dead (2012-2018)
Let’s start with The Walking Dead. The first season was released in 2012 with the final season coming out in 2018. The story begins in the American south, in the state of Georgia, at the start of the zombie apocalypse. You play as a young girl named Clementine who is searching for her parents. Aside from fighting off the undead, Clementine and her group of survivors must make pivotal choices about whom to trust and where to go if they want to stay alive.
I recommend this one to students with an intermediate or higher level of English. The conversations in this game are written in a realistic and everyday style. If you struggle to understand something, in most cases you will be able to use what is happening on screen to help you get a general idea. This is a great way to see what real American English sounds like.
The Walking Dead is available on almost all devices including Windows, Playstation, Xbox as well as both iOS and Android devices.
Detroit: Become Human (2018)
My next pick is a game I’ve been obsessed with recently, I think I’ve played the whole game from start to finish at least 3 times to see all the different endings. And when it comes to endings—there are many, with over 85 possible endings to the story. Detroit: Become Human was released in 2018 and follows the story of three androids living in the year 2038 in the city of Detroit. Connor is the latest model of robot detective working for the police force. Kara is an android housekeeper working for a drug-addicted and abusive alcoholic father. And finally, we have Markus, a caretaker for an elderly painter.
I recommend this game for students with an upper-intermediate or advanced level of English. You’ll often have to make your choices in a limited amount of time and be able to read between lines, so, not only listening to what a character says directly but also understanding what is hidden or implied. Fortunately, subtitles are available in almost all languages to help you when you need them.
Detroit: Become Human is available on Windows and PlayStation 4.
Dragon Age Inquisition (2014)
Last but not least, we have Dragon Age: Inquisition, the third part in a series of 3 games. But don’t worry, you don’t have to play the earlier games to jump in and have fun with this one. The story takes place in a fantasy world full of magic and mystery. As the hero, your mission is to put an end to the portals that are allowing demons and monsters to invade the land. When you aren’t fighting evil or finding romance with your companions, you’ll be playing the game of politics at the war table where you will gain power by managing your resources, forging alliances between nations, and judging whether captured criminals are killed, imprisoned, or let free.
I’d recommend this for those who have reached an advanced level of English. Although characters will speak in modern English, many important conversations will happen in courtyards, dining tables, or bedrooms—so you won’t have any visual clues to help you understand what the character is speaking about. Fortunately, Dragon Age: Inquisition has subtitles in most languages, so if you are ready for a challenge, you can play the game once with subtitles on and then try to play it again without.
Dragon Age: Inquisition is available on Windows, PlayStation 3 and 4, as well as Xbox One and 360.
How Can I Use Games To Learn?
I hope those suggestions will be useful for you and even if you don’t typically play video games, I really encourage you to try. Not only the graphics, but the level of storytelling has greatly improved since we were kids. So before we finish, let’s quickly talk about how to make the most of video games in your learning. My first tip is to remember that you should not try to understand everything. Your goal is not to understand every word and phrase, your goal is simply to understand the general idea of what is being said. Secondly, focus on vocabulary that is used again and again. If you see the same expression being used multiple times, it is most likely something you should learn. Lastly, have a system to record any new language to look up later or to ask your teacher about. This could be a notebook, a Google Doc, or even on your phone. Whatever works for you.
So that’s it for today. Have you played any of these games? Do you have any other recommendations to add to the list? Let me know!
