在线游戏在语言学习中的应用研究
Online Games in Language Learning
摘要
随着多人在线游戏的风靡，例如魔兽世界和第二人生，许多教育家开始考虑多人在线游戏作为语言学习平台的可行性。 多人在线游戏为玩家创造了一个虚拟的游戏环境，玩家构建虚拟化身通过个人或者团队合作来完成一系列的任务从而升级。该课题主要从两个方面来分析多人在线游戏在语言学习中的应用——语言社会化以及情感因素。从语言社会化角度来分析，新玩家通过经验较为丰富的玩家的帮助完成个人不能完成的任务从而知识构建。纳迪（2007）提出将最近发展区应用于情感因素。积极的情感因素作为一种刺激物使得玩家更加积极地参与游戏。从语言社会化的角度来看，多人在线游戏为玩家提供了一个语言的交互式平台。玩家通过与其他玩家合作有目的地完成任务从而晋级。据研究，合作、交流以及最近发展区在语言习得中扮演着至关重要的作用。通过与更有经验玩家交流合作，语言学习从低级的心理功能例如注意力及记忆向高级功能转变，例如问题解决以及制定计划。实证研究也表明游戏的参与度提高了目的语的输出量。从情感因素来看，虚拟化身激发了玩家的内在积极性。与传统的学习环境相比较，多人在线游戏创造了一个安全的学习氛围。但是，年龄以及性别差异可能会影响到在在线游戏中语言学习的有效性。
关键词：大型多人在线游戏；最近发展区；语言学习
Abstract
With the increase in popularity of massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs), such as World of War craft and Second Life, many educational researchers consider MMOGs as a language learning platform. MMOGs establish a virtual environment in which game players accomplish a series of missions individually or collaboratively and advance in the game play through the use of avatar. The paper analyzes MMOGs regarding language learning from two perspectives——social interaction and psychological factors. From the social aspect, game players complete the tasks with the aid of more capable game players which they cannot accomplish alone. What’s more, Nardi (2007) maintained the application of the zone of proximal development to psychological factors. Positive psychological factors act as a stimulus and game players are engaged in the game play more actively. Considered from the social aspect, MMOGs provide an interactive language learning platform in which game players accomplish goal-directed tasks with the help of more experienced players and progress through game scenarios. The research shows that social interaction and ZPD play a crucial role in language acquisition. Language learning process converts from lower mental functions such as attention and memory into higher mental functions such as problem-solving and planning by collaborating with more experienced players. And empirical studies have showed that the increase in target language output coincides with the participation in the game play. Considered from the mental aspect, character development fosters intrinsic motivation of game players. Compared with traditional language learning environment, MMOGs create a secure atmosphere. However, age and gender differences have an impact upon the effectiveness of language learning in an MMOG context.
Key words: massively multiplayer online games; the zone of proximal development; language learning