English learning from Civfanatics

[ryandryu]

I know many people here use English as their second or foreign language (ESL or EFL).

Do you think your participation here helps you learn English? How?
What about gameplay itself? Do you think playing games improves your English?
How do you as ESL or EFL speakers use this space or gaming to learn English?
(You can start with the statement of your first language if you don't mind. )

 

[Godwynn]

(You can start with the statement of your first language if you don't mind. )

You first.

English.

 

[Mirc]

It has helped me learn English, I doubt it still has much to do with my English learning process anymore... In what way? Learning to build sentences without thinking about it in advance, which gave me the natural feeling I've had for quite a while now, while using English; in addition to that, it helped me stay me in constant touch with the slang and avoid textbook speech. The Internet is probably the reason why there are words I know how to spell and use correctly, but I'm not sure how to pronounce. The list is growing narrower and narrower though, last time I tried to do a thorough check of words with whose pronounciation I used to have problems, I just found one - albeit (which I googled afterwards )

My first language is Romanian, which is why ~40% of my English vocabulary wasn't learned, but associated with words I've always known - transforming words that I already knew, instead of learning new ones.

 

[Kerozine]

Kinda. Can't be arsed to write walls of text, so I use it as practice for concise & precise writing.

 

[Shekwan]

Although I only speak English, I am constitutionally bound to describe it as my second language.

 

[Communisto]

Although I only speak English, I am constitutionally bound to describe it as my second language.

Where would the Irish be without spite?

 

[Quackers]

My written English steadily decays whilst i post on this forum

 

[Winner]

I first came here because I wanted to practice my English. I must say it has helped me a lot. Unfortunately, I've built up a vocabulary that's great for all kinds of talk about politics, history, sciences and other topics, but is pretty useless for describing ordinary things. I could talk hours about some of these topics, but when I am asked what I did last weekend, I can barely stutter few senteces

 

[sophie]

English is, of course, my first language, but I have been getting a lot better with my French and Spanish by playing French and Spanish online multiplayer video games!

 

[scherbchen]

it's what I always told the kids I tutored. find something you are passionate about and participate. I don't care if it is a strategy board for pokemon silver, a board hailing goth rock as the most awesome art form ever or the appreciation of hello kittie. you don't have to read shakespeare or arthur miller you just have to care a bit.

 

[Shekwan]

Where would the Irish be without spite?

Well I for one am thankful of the British. At least they had the decency to impose a language on us and then go ahead and impose it on everyone else so its actually really useful.

 

[BCLG100]

And we continue to do so, it is amazing how much people understand what flinging patio furniture whilst abroad means.

 

[dirtyparrot]

My English and French used to be neck and neck (I wouldn't have been able to pick which one was my first language). Unfortunately, my French, purely out of neglect, has gotten worse and worse.

 

[Shekwan]

And we continue to do so, it is amazing how much people understand what flinging patio furniture whilst abroad means.

Did you ever have to demonstrate?

I've figured it out, its all a game those foreigners like to play. You just have shout loudly and slowly enough at them for them to get. I mean come on, the idea that someone would not know English is ludicrous.

 

[BCLG100]

Did you ever have to demonstrate?

I've figured it out, its all a game those foreigners like to play. You just have shout loudly and slowly enough at them for them to get. I mean come on, the idea that someone would not know English is ludicrous.

Failing that, i find gesticulating wildly helps.

 

[ryandryu]

it's what I always told the kids I tutored. find something you are passionate about and participate. I don't care if it is a strategy board for pokemon silver, a board hailing goth rock as the most awesome art form ever or the appreciation of hello kittie. you don't have to read shakespeare or arthur miller you just have to care a bit.

Hi, scherbchen.

Your teaching method sounds good!
Do you think gaming helps language learning? How?
Gameplay itself, or this kind of beyond-game culture?
Do you have any specific example to share with me?
Can you tell me your history? What's your first language? Did gaming help you learn English or other language?

Thanks in advance

 

[Mirc]

I have to echo Godwynn's question and ask - what is your first language, ryandryu? Of course, you don't have to answer if the question makes you feel uncomfortable in any way, just saying.

 

[TheLastOne36]

I first came here because I wanted to practice my English. I must say it has helped me a lot. Unfortunately, I've built up a vocabulary that's great for all kinds of talk about politics, history, sciences and other topics, but is pretty useless for describing ordinary things. I could talk hours about some of these topics, but when I am asked what I did last weekend, I can barely stutter few senteces

Really?

To us it seems like you speak fluent English!

 

[Shekwan]

Failing that, i find gesticulating wildly helps.

Yep, I find that speaking gibberish whilst gesticulating wildly is the natural Foreign communication style. So when in Rome...

 

[Bill3000]

I first came here because I wanted to practice my English. I must say it has helped me a lot. Unfortunately, I've built up a vocabulary that's great for all kinds of talk about politics, history, sciences and other topics, but is pretty useless for describing ordinary things. I could talk hours about some of these topics, but when I am asked what I did last weekend, I can barely stutter few senteces

So, what did you do last weekend?