Which Games Can You Practice English With?

One of the most difficult elements of learning a new language is practicing with native speakers. Even the most competitive and grueling language courses won’t prepare students for what it’s like to hear slang, regional accents, and cultural references in daily conversation. 

Fortunately, once a student has the basics of grammar and vocabulary down, there are tons of unique and exciting ways to apply what they’ve learned. They can watch films, listen to podcasts, and even dive into social activities like sports or crafts. But there are also options for those who may prefer to spend their time at home—and especially playing video games. 

Let’s count down some of the most unique ways for English learners to practice their skills, either through in-game voice chats or via Discord.

Poker Home Games (Video chat)

The English-speaking world has a particular love of the card game poker. Most players stick to Texas Hold’em, one of a dozen or so variations. In the past, friends would often gather in a basement or a garage to play a round with each other. Today, virtual platforms can bring friends together to play poker online. 

This allows a small group to play poker live with one another—but what takes the home game to a new level is its video chat feature. Here, you can practice English in a relaxed setting while also enjoying a game of poker—and practice the art of bluffing, of course.

Among Us (Discord)

Speaking of bluffing, it’s a great nuance for English learners to pick up on. After all, it takes a bit of skill to lie believably in a foreign language. There’s no better place to practice these sleuth skills than playing the game Among Us. In it, players must step into the role of a Crewmate or an Impostor—then set out to evade detection or figure out which players are taking out the others. 

Unfortunately, the game doesn’t include a video chat or voice chat feature. That means that players who want to chat must link up via Discord. Discord is an app that lets players create a voice chat as they play a game together (in the event that the title in question lacks a chat feature).

 

Roblox (Voice chat)

Roblox is one of the most open-ended games in existence. On the platform, players can create their own games or play those created by others. It’s a great way to meet gamers and make friends—which bodes well for practicing English.

The game includes a voice chat feature that allows players to communicate with others. This makes it ideal for tackling challenges together, cooperating to accomplish a goal within the game, and maybe even making a few lasting connections.

Ludo King (Voice chat)

Similar to poker, Ludo King is a game that involves quite a bit of strategy. The board game has proved incredibly popular in India where it originated as Parchisi centuries ago. Back in 2016, the Ludo King app from Gametion Technologies took this pastime in a new direction by launching a mobile app.

Players are able to battle against friends or strangers in the game. They’re also able to communicate through voice chat, which makes this a great way to pass the time and enjoy conversation with other players.

For Single Players: Visual Novels

Sometimes, gamers might prefer to embark on a solo gaming session. If that’s the case, they may not be able to practice their English to its fullest extent. While playing any English-language game will bring them into closer contact with the language and its nuances, single players might want to target a title that lets them flex their skills a bit more.

In these cases, visual novels are a great option. These games are considered casual and are usually short-form. They challenge players to navigate social situations where there are multiple possible outcomes. Not only does this context help to convey different scenarios, but players can also choose from a variety of gaming themes. Some of the most popular are dating sims, but there are also adventure, horror, and even spy novels available.  

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