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Video Games in the Development of Cognitive Skills Relevant for Language Learning: A Systematic Review

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Multimodality, Digitalization and Cognitivity in Communication and Pedagogy

Part of the book series: Numanities - Arts and Humanities in Progress ((NAHP,volume 20))

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Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyse the modern pedagogical context which demonstrates the possibilities of using video games to develop cognitive skills when learning a foreign language. Pedagogical theories recognize the importance of games as a method. The game context is entertaining and allows scholars and teachers to build a staged development of educational skills. The research is based on a systematic review and analysis of current use of computer games for cognitive skills development in foreign language learning. The analysis shows that video games are used to develop several related cognitive skills: vocabulary development, understanding the context to provide feedback when building a simple dialogue, accuracy in the word choice, speech strategies, and reading and writing skills development. Evidence reveals didactic ways of organizing training based on video games to positively affect the development of cognitive skills. However, results show that this impact is limited, because video games have a strict design and cannot effectively develop cognitive skills requiring a wide choice of speech means in the interactions between players. It is also unlikely that video games either stimulate the use of speech strategies in a situation of uncertainty or provide for extra linguistic factors.

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Bondareva, L.V., Potemkina, T.V. (2021). Video Games in the Development of Cognitive Skills Relevant for Language Learning: A Systematic Review. In: Sukhova, N.V., Dubrovskaya, T., Lobina, Y.A. (eds) Multimodality, Digitalization and Cognitivity in Communication and Pedagogy. Numanities - Arts and Humanities in Progress, vol 20. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84071-6_5

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