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Learning a Foreign Language with The Sims

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the no-habla-espaniol dept.

JavaTHut writes "The Journal Language Learning and Technology has a new article describing how The Sims can be modified to teach a foreign language. With this and other efforts at U.S.C. and M.I.T., could simulated immersion within video games become an effective way of acquiring a foreign language? Also of interest in the article are suggestions for using spatialized translation layers in foreign language songs and a Firefox extension for learning foreign vocabulary words."

3 of 310 comments (clear)

  1. Sesame Street by Slider451 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Today's Sim gaming experience brought to you by the number ocho.

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    Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
  2. Children learn English this way now by nekosej · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In small European countries which don't benefit from having games translated into the local language, the children play them in English, and as a result, pick up quite a bit of written language. I've seen this in the Czech Republic, and found it amazing that a ten year old could understand so much. That said, it does little for spoken language.

    --
    Never pet a burning dog.
  3. Traditional method: by pommiekiwifruit · · Score: 5, Funny


    Learn English from Beatles songs.
    Learn French from Asterix comics.
    Learn Italian from music scores.
    Learn Japanese from Arcade games.
    Learn German from pr0n videos.