Although it may seem challenging, immersing yourself in a new language is an exciting journey. Whether you manage to master it or encounter difficulties along the way, the joy of immersing yourself in a new linguistic world and culture is undeniable. However, learning a new language doesn’t come easily to everyone, and that’s perfectly normal. Don’t worry about it! There are different techniques to suit different learning styles. Let me introduce you to a method that I believe can work for everyone.
Throughout my school life, when my teachers asked me how I knew that specific word, my answer was always, “from games!” As many of us enjoy playing games in one form or another, this could be an excellent way to test your language skills. You don’t have to be an experienced gamer. Just find a game you like and get started. Learn the basic mechanics and then play it in the target language you want to learn. The benefits may surprise you. Let me explain.
Learn the basics of the language beforehand
It is clear that all languages share some common elements of linguistics. The most commonly used words and general approaches are quite similar in many languages. It’s important to familiarise yourself with words for things around you, commonly used terms and helpful phrases. Look them up on the internet and practise a little every day.
Choose and play the game
The choice of game is the fun part. When I first tried this technique, I played a board game on the computer called “Talisman Digital Edition”. It had a lot of text with unfamiliar words.
Once you’ve chosen your game, it’s time to play. Concentrate only on understanding how the game works. Having fun is also important; you need to be passionate about learning the language. Remember that learning anything requires intention. So play the game first and learn the basics of the language gradually.
Learn with the game
Now that you’re used to the game, it’s time to challenge yourself. That’s exactly what I did. I knew English as well as my mother tongue, and my target language was Italian. I found the Italian language option in the game and set it accordingly. Suddenly the game felt new, different and fascinating. As time went by, I noticed that I was recognising some words, and some of them were related to the ones I already knew.
Thanks to practising the most basic words, I even discovered many new ones. I played for a while, making a few mistakes but still having fun. Even though I didn’t understand everything, I kept playing with the mechanics I was used to, and gradually I began to understand certain aspects. This determination prevented me from giving up easily. Playing the game gave me more opportunities to immerse myself in the language before calling it a day.
Make assumptions
Play the game for a while to get used to it. As you progress, you will probably come across some words more often than others. This will encourage you to make educated guesses about their meaning and context. Through this process, you will analyse the words more effectively and begin to learn some of them. The next time you encounter these words, you won’t forget them so easily. The key here is that you have inadvertently found a great way of putting the words into context. You’ll remember when to use them, in what situations and why. Your brain will encode this information and every time you encounter these words, related options and actions will naturally come to mind.
Revert to your native language for help
Depending on the game you’ve chosen, you may find it more challenging than expected, especially if the target language is unfamiliar. In such cases, it’s perfectly normal to ask for help from time to time. You can temporarily switch back to English or your native language to get a better understanding of a particular word or phrase that is puzzling you. Just remember not to rely on this help all the time; set limits for yourself. After all, even the most proficient language learners cannot understand every aspect of a language. Every language has its complexities, and different speakers can introduce unique nuances. This adds to the flavour of the language.
Take notes
I won’t dwell on this point for too long, as I’ve mentioned it in some of my previous articles. Taking notes is essential to help you remember what you’ve learned. Rather than constantly referring back to the language in the game, taking notes can be a quicker and more efficient way to access important information.
Practice and explore different options
Most games offer replayability, so use it to improve your practice. Try playing with different characters, taking different actions and exploring new options. You’ll come across a wider range of words and phrases.
It was a delightful experiment I tried many years ago. It can really reveal unexpected aspects of a language, surprising you with words you might not even come across in everyday life, let alone in your mother tongue. That’s the beauty of games — they can expose you to a whole new vocabulary. If you’re eager to start this fun language practice, I recommend playing text-based games, board games or role-playing games, as they offer rich language experiences. Have fun and enjoy the language!
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