When I taught English full-time, I observed that my gamer ESL students were more fluent than the non-gamers.
Games naturally immerse you in your target language. Plus, words and concepts stick better when you’re having fun!
Continue reading to discover my top recommendations for language-learning games, including role-playing and classic word games, to elevate your learning experience.
The 3 Best U.S. Online Games for Adult Language Learners
The best language learning games for adults are Memrise, The Sims, and LyricsTraining.
I handpicked these language learning games to improve vocabulary, comprehension, and conversational skills.
1. Memrise
Memrise gamifies language learning with bite-sized lessons, playful images, and exciting quizzes.
You discover words and phrases locals use and put your learning into practice, whether you want to know the German cultural dos and don’ts or improve your Japanese pronunciation.
It features an AI language tutor, so you have a patient listener who won’t judge your accent or grammar mistakes.
Supported Languages: 20+
Pros:
- Hundreds of vocabulary lessons
- Real-life native speaker video clips to practice listening and speaking
- Conversation practice with MemBot
- Syncs across your desktop and mobile devices
Cons:
- Limited grammar instruction
- The free plan offers limited access to features
2. The Sims
The Sims is a well-loved single-player game where you control your virtual character’s entire life, from spending Saturday afternoons setting the kitchen on fire to getting promoted at work.
When you switch to your target language, you micromanage your alter ego in a whole new language!
Daily routines become engaging language lessons—because why not have fun saying “clean the toilet” in Spanish?
Supported Languages: 18
Pros:
- Simulates real-life daily activities for immersion
- Context-rich scenarios
- Fun and addictive gameplay
- Endlessly replayable
Cons:
- Less structured language learning
- No native speaker audio/voice acting
3. LyricsTraining
LyricsTraining transforms your favorite songs into a fun language lesson.
It introduces new words and expressions, improves your listening skills, and reinforces your understanding of grammar concepts by challenging you to complete the lyrics of songs.
Finally, a game where singing when you’re bored counts as studying!
Supported Languages: 13
Pros:
- Trains your ear to recognize foreign words and sounds easily
- Four game modes for different language skill levels
- Lets you compete with players worldwide
- Numerous music genres
Cons:
- Ads play before a music video starts
- Limited to listening and vocabulary
Runner-Ups
Here are several more language learning games for adults:
- Pokemon
- Stardew Valley (relaxing, low-pressure)
- Skyrim (lots of voice acting)
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Assassin’s Creed
- Detroit: Become Human
- Hidden Object
- Life Is Strange
Pro Tip: Choose games that let you quickly switch between your native and target languages, whether you’re playing Spanish learning games or French video games. This makes it easier to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases.
Try these classic board games if you want fun and refreshing language exchange activities with friends while improving your vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills:
- Story Cubes
- Scrabble
- Bananagrams
- Boggle
- Hangman
- Charades
Games Are Effective Language-Learning Tools
Many language learners agree that gaming speeds up the learning process, especially when mixed with other methods like language exchange programs.
It’s even more effective when you interact with native speakers, join teams or communities, and learn everyday expressions from fellow gamers.
- Research involving 61 college students found that narrative-based contextual games were a preferred English learning method by most participants, highlighting the effectiveness of storytelling in language acquisition.
- Another study showed that simulation games like the Sims improve language learning when mixed with classroom materials.
Games teach you new words and improve retention and recall with:
- Engaging visuals
- Memorable audio
- Repetition of words and phrases
- Emotional narratives
- Interactive environments
Key Takeaway: Combining games with traditional language-learning education methods effectively boosts language proficiency.
Learn a New Language While Having Fun!
Playing language learning games for adults as part of your study routine is an enjoyable way to reinforce your language skills.
Solidify your vocabulary by doing relevant immersion activities after playing a game. For example, watch a fantasy-themed movie after a fantasy storytelling session with Story Cubes.
Mix and match different language-learning activities. Keep it fun and engaging to stay motivated. Your imagination is the limit!
Just remember to control your gaming hours, especially if you start dreaming in Simlish.
