Online Games Improve Non-Native Speaker English Proficiency

...

1.3 Statement of the problem

As indicated by Mauranen (2012), it is quite useful to be a non-native speaker when studying English language since non-native speakers has a superior comprehension of how to communicate with somebody who does not have the same linguistic foundation. The reason is that non-native speakers have been compelled to be tolerant towards individuals from other linguistic backgrounds. Speakers with English as their primary language only concentrate all alone linguistic foundation while speaking with non-native speakers, since that linguistic capability is the thing that both speakers take a stab at. Hence, native speakers ideally turn their regard for linguistic blunders delivered by non-native speakers since native speakers are in ownership of the correct exactness. Non-native speakers are conceivably more tolerant of one another's( (language) societies, which can influence their utilization of the language, while native speakers naturally lose that experience as they are not as presented to the potential contrasts (Mauranen, 2012). Seidlhofer (2011) states that languages change through the communication between individuals of distinctive backgrounds, ethnicities, and societies influence one another by utilizing the language differently. That truth could likewise be connected to cooperation between individuals who play and online games since players get from different backgrounds. English is drilled differently amid the movement of playing online games, which may impact the language and also the players' language utilization. Additionally, it is not out of the ordinary that players impact one another's language use through their correspondence while playing, which may have an enormous effect on the language advancement since the majority of English speakers are non-native speakers who utilize the language differently (Seidlhofer, 2011). To create the speculation that playing online games could broaden non-native speakers' English vocabulary is right, it is crucial to look at the games and in addition the players while they are playing. Nevertheless, many educators do not believe the use of games as a medium that facilitates language learning. They also see this as nuisance and a waste of time. Among the gamers some perceive that they can improve their English proficiency through online games.

1.4 Purpose of the study

This study aims to know the impact of online games on the non-native speaker English proficiency considering that the language used in the storylines use English. Furthermore, the issue at hand is whether the language used in these games could affect non-native speakers English proficiency.

- Objectives of the study

1.4.1.1 To study the use of English language by non-native gamers while they participate in online games.

1.4.1.2 To analyze the frequency of the English used by non-native gamers while playing online games.

1.4.1.3 To examine the gamer’s perception whether playing online games helps there is an improvement in the non-native speakers’ English proficiency by playing online games.

1.5 Research questions

The following research question could guide the study:

1. What mixtures of vocabulary are players presented to?

2. How do players utilize the English Language, regarding talking and composing, while playing online games in English?

3. How does the player’s vocabulary improve through the language used in the games?

4. Have the players noticed if there is an impact in the player vocabulary or pronunciation while playing the game?

1.6 Significance of the study

It is expected that present study could identify that playing games does improve non-native speaker’s English proficiency as it can be a guidelines for other gamers who could not interact successfully with other gamer especially when playing online games. It is also possible for gamers who do not have a wide range of vocabulary to improve their vocabulary and also their pronunciations while communicating with other gamers who treat English as a lingua franca. Furthermore, the present study could be useful for tertiary education in improving their education system as they can use the findings of the present study to improve their learning and teaching system by applying the use of games in their teaching methods so that many will see that learning English is fun. Hence, the present study could also help gamer to know the importance of using English as a medium to communicate with other people from different linguistic background when playing online games.

1.7 Definition of term

The title of the present study is “Online games improve non-native speaker English proficiency”. The terms used in the present study have the following definitions.

“Gamer”: A person who is a professional that dedicated their life or focus solely on winning a game or tournament.

“Easter Eggs”: Easter eggs are secrets or hidden feature that the developer hides or not found by the developer. Easter eggs are sometimes found by the players through many hours of playing.

“Grinding”: Raising your experience for characters. Grinding require a person to spend hours on the same place to reach the required level.

“Glitching”: Bugs that happen throughout the games. For example stuck on the wall or pass a mountain.

“Feeding”: Usually address to an action where players keeps on dying and giving the enemy teams gold and experience. This term mostly used in MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)

“DLC”: Refers to Downloadable Content where the additional content that the game can offer to players. For example new quest or mission that will be unlockable if the players download it.

“FPS”: Mostly refers to First Person Shooter where the shooting action happen weapon floating around in front of you and you must kill the enemy using the weapon that you choose.

“MMORPG”: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. Refers to a world where gamers from around the world play the game through the web. For example “Diablo 3”.

“PvP”: This term refers to Player vs. Player games

...