Computer Game-Based Foreign Language Learning: Its Benefits and Limitations

Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss the effectiveness of computer games in foreign language learning and highlights its advantages and disadvantages. The authors searched for available studies on this topic in the world’s databases Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct in the period of 2010–2017. The findings indicate that computer game-based foreign language learning seems to be especially effective in the vocabulary acquisition. They obviously generate a lot of advantages, for example, contact with foreign language environment, higher motivation for foreign language learning, or increased engagement in foreign language communication. On the other hand, there are also disadvantages of using technological devices in students’ learning, for instance, a lack of students’ concentration on the vocabulary acquisition and learning, inappropriate choice of the games which are not relevant for foreign language learning, unfamiliarity of computer games among teachers, or their unwillingness and anxiety to use them. Thus, in order to prove the effectiveness of the exploitation of computer games in foreign language learning, more research studies with larger subject samples should be conducted in this area.