O poder dos games: a influência na ampliação do vocabulário em língua estrangeira

Abstract

This exploratory study focuses on the influence of video games on expanding foreign language vocabulary. Confronting a common challenge for students and learners, games emerge as an interesting proposal, but there is a scarcity of studies on the precise impact of interactive and immersive features of games on the learning of new words. The study aims to understand participants' perceptions of the impact of games on foreign language vocabulary, exploring characteristics such as interactivity and immersion. The research seeks to fill the knowledge gap regarding the potential of games as an effective tool in lexical development. Authors such as: Centenaro (2017), Levay (2015), Macgonigal (2017), Silva (2020), Gee (2007), among others, are presented for a better theoretical foundation for the work. The methodology used questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, encompassing students from the 9th grade of elementary school, the 3rd year of high school, and university students in an English course. The methodological diversity aimed to understand different perspectives on the role of games in language learning. Participants demonstrated a correlation between the level of education and involvement with video games. The research revealed a variety of attitudes regarding the ability of games to expand vocabulary. Immersion in virtual foreign language environments in games was widely recognized as effective by the participants. It can be concluded that the research highlights that electronic games, in addition to entertainment, can offer opportunities for relaxed learning and vocabulary enrichment. The results point to the need to recognize games as valuable educational tools in the development of language skills, challenging the conventional perception of games only as pastimes. Despite challenges during the research, the experiences and testimonials of participants, including the receptivity of individuals external to the research, reinforce the importance of games as an innovative approach to foreign language teaching. The study suggests that, in the future, games may be more recognized and valued for their multifaceted educational potential.