Online Games For the English and Spanish Language Learners
Full-time instructor Ozlem Yagcioglu [email protected]
Dokuz Eylul University School Of Foreign Languages, Izmir, Turkey
Abstract
Foreign language learners often need motivation and they like learning a new foreign language with different methods and approaches. They often need to improve their language skills such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. Online games help learners improve their skills and these games motivate them to learn a new language happily. They can easily memorize the new words they learnt with the help of the useful online games.
This paper introduces online games for the English and Spanish learners. Useful websites for the English and Spanish learners are suggested and the advantages of these websites are listed. How these websites can improve language skills will be told.
Keywords: Online Games; Useful Websites; Language Skills
Introduction
In the modern world, lots of people know how to use internet , mobile phones or iphones. Children and university students often use internet for their assignments or for playing games. Most of them play games just for joy and not for learning something or for improving their skills. Most of them like listening to music or playing war games on the internet, although they often need to improve their language skills such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. This paper will help colleagues to teach English and Spanish with the help of online games. It also aims to assist English and Spanish learners to develop their language skills and to spend more enjoyable minutes or hours with the help of online games.
Love of learning is defined by Peterson and Seligman (2004:163) as :
“a strength that teachers would like to see in their students, that parents want to encourage in their children, that therapists support in their clients, and that employers try to foster in their employees. In fact, love of learning is a strength to which researchers and the lay public seem able to point with ease, even though it has not been discussed in relation to major conceptual dimensions of a number of constructs, including motivational orientation, competence, value, and well-developed interest.”
As Peterson and Seligman (2004: 163) states that ;
“It is likely that people with love of learning as a general strength would strongly endorse statements such as the following:
- I can’t do this task now, but I think I will be able to do it in the future. - I like to learn new things.
- I will do whatever it takes in order to do a task correctly. - Learning is a positive experience.
- I care more about doing a through job than whether I receive a good grade.”
Online games encourage foreign language learners to learn new languages. Foreign language learners get excited and feel themselves happier when they use online games to learn new foreign languages. They spend more joyful days or hours with the help of the online games they are using. Online games also motivate them to learn the foreign languages every day. Their interests and love increase day by day and they want to use lots of online games as much as possible.
Shahar (2010: 25-26) states that ;
“The brave new world of quick fixes ignores our need for meaning. True happiness involves some emotional discomfort and difficult experiences, which some self-help books and psychiatric medication attempt to circumvent. Happiness presupposes our having to overcome obstacles. In the words of Viktor Frankl, “ What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him. “ We should remember that going through difficult times can augment our capacity for
pleasure: it keeps us from taking pleasure for granted, reminds us to be grateful for all the large and small pleasures in our lives. Being grateful in this way can itself be a source of real meaning and pleasure. “
Shahar’s words help us remember the obstacles in our lives and help us how we can smile after meeting those obstacles which make us unhappy. Online games help us to overcome the stressful days or hours and they help us smile and motivate us to study better.
Purpose of the study:
Some students and some foreign language learners need more motivation and more enthusiasm than the other language learners. Some of them have difficulties in grammar. Some of them have
difficulties in memorizing words and using them effectively. This study examines online games according to find the online games according to English and Spanish learners’ ages, interests and language levels.
Methodology:
This was a survey study. The participants were 30 university students at Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir in Turkey during the 2004-2005 academic year. They were students who who were learning English as a second language. Their ages ranged from 18 to 21. The same study was done with 50 students during the 2011-2012 academic year. Their ages ranged from 18 to 21. The participants of this research were asked to reply the following questions:
1- List the names of the online games which help you to learn the British and the American English.
2- What kinds of words are you interested in learning from the online games? a- Are you interested in learning the words on feelings and actions? b- Are you interested in learning idioms describing feelings or mood? c- Are you interested in learning proverbs?
d- Are you interested in elarning formal and informal words?
3- List the names of the online games which help you to improve your pronunciation.
4- They were asked to find at least 50 British and 50 US English words from the internet which are used in the online games they played.
5- They were also asked to write compositions using the words they learnt from the online games they played.
6- Do you think the online games you played were enjoyable? Teaching Procedure:
Time: 2 weeks (2 topics, 2 lessons= 2 steps) Objectives:
1- To give students the chance to practice English according to their own language learning strategies
3- To teach students how to use and pronounce the US English and the British English words 4- To write a report of the whole research and experiment
Findings:
Students’ Attitudes
All the students in my classes were attending English classes full-heartedly and very regularly.They were interested in learning the differences between the US English and the British English words. They enjoyed attending my courses so much and brought their homework papers very regularly.
Students’ Perceptions
All the students found the experiment task useful and they realised that they improved their language skills with the help of the enjoyable online games. They also informed that using online games increased their motivation and enthusiasm in learning English.
Conclusion:
Up to here, the roles of the love of learning and the online games in learning a foreign language have been told. Useful web-sites to find online games for the English and Spanish learners have been suggested. An experiment task and the findings of that experiment was handled. The students’s attitudes and the students’ perceptions were told.
It is hoped that this study will help colleagues to teach English and Spanish happily via online games. It is also hoped that this study will help Spanish and English learners improve their language skills with the enjoyable online games for the English and Spanish learners.
REFERENCES
AE American English: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://americanenglish.state.gov/trace-effects Peterson, C. & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Love of Learning. Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. USA:Oxford University Press, p. 163.
Shahar (2010). Learning from Painful Experiences. Even: Happier: A Gratitude Journal for Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment. McGraw-Hill, p. 25-26.
Kids Games: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www. kidsgames .org/ Free English Resources Online for Kids: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www. funenglishgames .com/
ESL Kids Online Learning Games: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www. eslkidstuff .com/ OnlineGamesMain . htm
English Word Games for Kids: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www. anglomaniacy . pl / wordgames . htm
Learning Games For Kids: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www. learninggamesforkids .com/
Games Zone - online English language games ( learn English ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezo...
ESL
Games - English Club: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www. englishclub .com
Games to Learn English - For Students: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: gamestolearnenglish.com/
English Spelling Games and Activities: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/.../liter...
Vocabulary Games, English Vocabulary Word Games : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http:// www.vocabulary.co.il/
All
of the free interactive activities that are available | Online Games ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: activities.bradleys-english-school.com/
English word games - crosswords, word search, hangman, trivia ... ; Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.learnenglish.de/gamespage.htm
English games for kids , on line ESL games , learn English free with ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.marks-english-school.com/games.html
ENGLISH FLASH GAMES for Learning Vocabulary: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: englishflashgames.blogspot.com/ -
LearnEnglish Kids | British Council | : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/
Online Games for Learning English : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: genkienglish.net/onlinegames.htm
Free ESL Fun Games & Interactive Exercises Online : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http:// www.eslgamesworld.com/.../games/index.h...
Free Online Games - Stardoll | English : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http:// www.stardoll.com/dolls-games/games/
PopCap Games | Bookworm – Free Online Games : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.popcap.com/games/bookworm/online
Play English Pub Pool , a free online game on Kongregate : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http:// www.kongregate.com/games/.../english-pu...
Letter Activity – Free Online English Games for Kids – Knowledge ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/games/lette..
Free typing games online : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: games.sense-lang.org/ - ABD - English Games – Free Online English Games for Kids – JumpStart : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.jumpstart.com/.../games/english-game...
English Language Tests and Games - Education resources on the ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.edufind.com/english/englishtests/
Games Zone - Downloadable English language games ( learn ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http:// www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezo...
boggle online english word games : Retrieved f29 April 2013 from: http://www.orenglish.com/boggle/
Kids Games - PrimaryGames - Play Free Kids Games Online : Retrieved29 April 2013 from: http://www.primarygames.com/
Cambridge English Online: Learn > Enjoy > Succeed: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: cambridgeenglishonline.com/
gPotato Game Portal - Enjoy Free - to - Play Online Games! : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.gpotato.com/
Games - Learn english online with English Portal: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.english-portal.com/fp_games.php
ESOL Courses - Free English Lessons Online : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http:// www.esolcourses.com/
Studyladder , online english literacy & mathematics . Kids activity : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: ...
http://www.studyladder.co.nz/?lc_set
Free Online Fun & Interactive ESL/EFL Games & Activities For .. : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.turtlediary.com/esl-efl-games.html - ABD
Fun Spelling Games for Kids - Free Practice Activities Online : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.funenglishgames.com/spellinggames....
Games - Elllo: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.elllo.org/english/Games.htm
MES Games | free online games to learn English : vocabulary ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.mes-games.com/
http: //www.eslgamesplus.com/
English Activities Online for Kids , Learn English , ESL , EFL ... - Syvum: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http ://www. syvum .com
ESL Kids Online Learning Games : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www. eslkidstuff .com/OnlineGamesMain . htm
Play free English games online on Y8.com : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.y8.com/tags/English
play free online doraemon nobita games in english - Vizzed .com : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.vizzed.com/playonlinegames/index.p...
Johnny English Reborn - Games at Miniclip .com - Play Free Online ... :
Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.miniclip.com/.../johnny-english-rebor... BBC Learning - English : Free resources and online courses : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/.../english.shtml
Fun Grammar Games for Kids - Fun English Games for Kids : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.funenglishgames.com/grammargames...
Kids Educational Computer Games , Interactive Activities & Online ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.turtlediary.com/ - ABD
English Pub Pool ( Online Game ) | Play UK Pool Online | Free Online ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.englishpubpool.co.uk/games/.../englis...
Games | Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online: Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.businessenglishpod.com/.../business-e...
alphaDictionary * Free English Online Dictionary * Grammar * Word ... : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.alphadictionary.com/
40 Coolest iPad Apps for Language Learners - Online College .org : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http:// www.onlinecollege.org › Blog
Spanish | ECB Surf Report :Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: ecb.org/surf/spanish.htm - ABD Spanish English Word Match | Learning Games For Kids : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/...games/... -
5
Fun Spanish Games for High School Students - Bright Hub .. :Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/spanish.../86...
-Free Online Spanish Games For Teenagers - Great Conversational .. : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: greatconversationalspanish.com/...spanish/f... -
BBC - Schools - Primary Spanish: Retrieved29 April 2013 from: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryspanish/ -
Seventeen : Teen Hairstyles , Fun Quizzes , Games , and Teen Fashion : Retrieved 29 April 2013 from: http://www.seventeen.com/
APPENDICES APPENDIX 1.
Useful Web-sites to Find Online Games for the English and Spanish Learners:
Useful Web-sites for English Learners: Kids Games:
http://www.kidsgames.org/
Free English Resources Online for Kids:
http://www.funenglishgames.com/
ESL Kids Online Learning Games
http://www.eslkidstuff.com/OnlineGamesMain.htm
English Word Games for Kids
http://www.anglomaniacy.pl/wordgames.htm
Learning Games For Kids:
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/
Games Zone - online English language games (learn English ...
ESL
Games - English Club
http://www.englishclub.com
Games to Learn English - For Students
gamestolearnenglish.com/
English Spelling Games and Activities
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/.../liter...
Vocabulary Games , English Vocabulary Word Games
http://www.vocabulary.co.il/
All of the free interactive activities that are available | Online Games ...
activities.bradleys-english-school.com/
English word games - crosswords, word search, hangman, trivia ...
http://www.learnenglish.de/gamespage.htm
English games for kids, on line ESL games , learn English free with ...
http://www.marks-english-school.com/games.html
ENGLISH FLASH GAMES for Learning Vocabulary
englishflashgames.blogspot.com/ -
LearnEnglish Kids | British Council |
learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/
Online Games for Learning English
Free ESL Fun Games & Interactive Exercises Online
http://www.eslgamesworld.com/.../games/index.h...
Free Online Games - Stardoll | English
http://www.stardoll.com/dolls-games/games/
PopCap Games | Bookworm – Free Online Games
http://www.popcap.com/games/bookworm/online
Play English Pub Pool, a free online game on Kongregate
http://www.kongregate.com/games/.../english-pu...
Letter Activity – Free Online English Games for Kids – Knowledge ...
http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/games/lette...
Free typing games online
games.sense-lang.org/ - ABD -
English Games – Free Online English Games for Kids – JumpStart
http://www.jumpstart.com/.../games/english-game...
English Language Tests and Games - Education resources on the ...
http://www.edufind.com/english/englishtests/
Games Zone - Downloadable English language games (learn ...
boggle online english word games
http://www.orenglish.com/boggle/
Kids Games - PrimaryGames - Play Free Kids Games Online
http://www.primarygames.com/
Cambridge English Online : Learn > Enjoy > Succeed
cambridgeenglishonline.com/
gPotato Game Portal - Enjoy Free-to-Play Online Games !
http://www.gpotato.com/
Games - Learn english online with English Portal
http://www.english-portal.com/fp_games.php
ESOL Courses - Free English Lessons Online
http://www.esolcourses.com/
Studyladder, online english literacy & mathematics. Kids activity ...
http://www.studyladder.co.nz/?lc_set
Free Online Fun & Interactive ESL/EFL Games & Activities For ...
http://www.turtlediary.com/esl-efl-games.html - ABD
Fun Spelling Games for Kids - Free Practice Activities Online
http://www.funenglishgames.com/spellinggames....
Games - Elllo
MES Games | free online games to learn English : vocabulary ...
http://www.mes-games.com/
Games for Learning English , Vocabulary, Grammar Games ...
http://www.eslgamesplus.com/
English Activities Online for Kids , Learn English , ESL , EFL ... - Syvum
http://www.syvum.com
ESL Kids Online Learning Games
http://www.eslkidstuff.com/OnlineGamesMain.htm
Play free English games online on Y8.com
http://www.y8.com/tags/English
play free online doraemon nobita games in english - Vizzed.com
http://www.vizzed.com/playonlinegames/index.p...
Johnny English Reborn - Games at Miniclip.com - Play Free Online ...
http://www.miniclip.com/.../johnny-english-rebor...
BBC Learning - English : Free resources and online courses
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/.../english.shtml
Fun Grammar Games for Kids - Fun English Games for Kids
Kids Educational Computer Games , Interactive Activities & Online ...
http://www.turtlediary.com/ - ABD
English Pub Pool ( Online Game ) | Play UK Pool Online | Free Online ...
http://www.englishpubpool.co.uk/games/.../englis...
Games | Business English Pod :: Learn Business English Online
http://www.businessenglishpod.com/.../business-e...
alphaDictionary * Free English Online Dictionary * Grammar * Word ...
http://www.alphadictionary.com/
Medical English online exercises and games . Course suitable for ...
http://www.englishmed.com/
Hangman Games Online Interactive English Vocabulary - Juegos ...
http://www.vocabulary.cl/Hangman.htm
Interactive English Grammar Exercises Online ,Quizzes, Games ...
http://www.englishmedialab.com/grammar.html
Word Games - Merriam-Webster Online
http://www.merriam-webster.com/game/index.htm AE American English
http://americanenglish.state.gov/trace-effects
Useful Web-sites For Spanish Learners:
Spanish language learning games
http://www.digitaldialects.com/Spanish.htm
Best Spanish Websites
20 Free Online Resources for Spanish Language Learners
teachinglearningspanish.blogspot.com/.../2...
Free Online Spanish Games
http://www.123teachme.com/...spanish/fun_and_...
Spanish Games Online - Educational and Fun
http://www.transparent.com
Top 25 Smartphone Apps for Spanish Language Learners - Online ...
http://www.onlinecolleges.net/.../top-25-smartph...
Learn English - Activities to help Spanish speaking students at I4C
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/learn_eng.htm
Spanish Resources
http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/spanish.htm
Spanish | Learn Spanish online - language resources
http://www.e-spanyol.hu/en/
40 Coolest iPad Apps for Language Learners - Online College.org
http://www.onlinecollege.org › Blog Spanish | ECB Surf Report
ecb.org/surf/spanish.htm - ABD
Spanish English Word Match | Learning Games For Kids
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/...games/... -
5 Fun Spanish Games for High School Students - Bright Hub ...
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/spanish.../86... -
Free Online Spanish Games For Teenagers - Great Conversational ...
greatconversationalspanish.com/...spanish/f... -
BBC - Schools - Primary Spanish
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryspanish/ -
Seventeen : Teen Hairstyles , Fun Quizzes , Games , and Teen Fashion http://www.seventeen.com/
APPENDIX 2
Discussion Questions For Spanish and English Learners: 1- Can online games help you to learn English or Spanish?
2- Do you think playing online games which are prepared for Spanish and English learners motivate the language learners to learn more words?
3- What kinds of online games can improve your language skills?
4- Have you ever played onlined games to increase your vocabulary knowledge? If yes, what kinds of advantages or what kinds of disadvantages have you realised?
5- Do you think you can improve your fluency in Spanish and in English, if you play online games?
Discussion Questions for Spanish and English Teachers or Instructors: 1- Do you use online games while teaching a foreign language?
2- Do you think online games help language learners to develop their language skills? Why?/ Why not?
3- Which language skills can be improved while using online games?
4- Do you have students who dislike using the internet? If yes, how do you teach your courses to them?
