Investigating Bejaia's online video gamers' percption on the development of their english vocabulary

Abstract

Vocabulary is a challenging aspect in teaching and learning a foreign language. On the light of vocabulary significance, the present study investigates the Bejaia’s gamers’ perception of the development of their English vocabulary. It is specifically based on gamers who play online video games using the English language. The main aim is to demonstrate the role of online video games in developing the vocabulary of participants and the way it is developed if there is any. To collect relevant data on this topic, a mixed method was opted for. An online questionnaire was distributed on the online video gamers. The findings show that playing online video games contribute in enriching the gamers’ vocabulary repertoire through speaking and chatting with other gamers (with their friends or foreign gamers), etc. The results also reveal that online video games develop language skills mainly speaking and listening; in addition to coordination and cognitive skills. Therefore, it is important to reconsider the so-called harmful effects of gaming as a complementing tool for learning a foreign language.