L2 Vocabulary learning through MMORPGs

Sammanfattning: The gaming community has grown significantly over the past two decades and is playing a major role in learners’ English development. This literature study aims to examine to what extent there is a correlation between playing massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) and English learners' vocabulary acquisition as well as their motivation to learn. By going through educational databases such as ERIC we found empirical studies relevant to our question. A total of 10 empirical studies were included where all of these concerned vocabulary development and 6 concerning motivation. Researcher Pia Sundqvist contributed with several of her studies regarding extramural English activities. Her results indicated that playing video games was one of the most beneficial extramural activities from a second language learning perspective. Through the research studies, it was found that playing MMORPGs has a positive effect on vocabulary acquisition and helps the learner to stay motivated to learn English. However, none of these research studies acknowledge the dangers of MMORPGs. Teachers and educators should be aware of the potential MMORPGs hold regarding second language learning, and implement it in teaching when possible. For further research it would be interesting to try a lesson plan that includes MMORPGs.