I grew up in the golden 80s, and although I couldn’t have put it into words back then, one of my dearest hobbies was playing computer games on the Commodore 64. But back then, staring at a screen didn’t really count as a proper hobby. Luckily, nowadays it does.
I played games like Pools of Radiance (1988), Pirates (1987), and Ultima IV (1985). Who remembers? These were role-playing and adventure games with a strong sense of immersion. I was about 10 years old, and every day I would excitedly slide a floppy disk into the drive, fingers trembling with anticipation, hoping no loading errors would appear so I could dive into distant and mysterious worlds.
I belonged to a generation that unknowingly fought the early cultural battle to lift computer games from satanic panic to, eventually, a socially less-opposed regular brain-melting youth activity. Our self-dug gaming bunkers glowed with pale light into the night, and when our parents knocked to push bedtime along, we waved our floppy disks from our trenches, determined and resilient in our pursuit of more gaming time: “Just 30 more minutes, and my bard-fighter gets a +5 long sword!” “Just one more battle to level up in the underworld,” “Please, just a bit more time to capture this Spanish War Galleon and all its gold!”
Games Encourage Learning
The battle is far from over. The respectability of gaming is still debated, and probably always will be. But progress has been made, and today’s parents are far more aware of what gaming actually offers. Still, the hobby needs advocates and School of Gaming proudly carries that banner for all the little gamers out there.
Even my own parents changed their perspective when they realized not only that a child’s passion and enthusiasm should be gently guided rather than suppressed, but also that time spent gaming showed up positively in my academic success. Games encouraged me to seek out additional information from books. Pirate adventures continued on library shelves, and computer RPGs opened the door to the world of fantasy literature. That door has never closed. My writing and creative thinking skills owe a lifelong debt to the makers of computer games.
One skill in particular stood out: my English skills skyrocketed as I translated game manuals and background material with a dictionary in hand. RPGs like the Ultima and AD&D series involved so much specific information that I filled journals with notes, and much of it was in English.
Gamers Speak Better English
I’ve sometimes said I’ve never met a gamer with poor English. That might be a slight exaggeration, but it’s definitely not a maga-sized lie (yes, you read that right). In the 80s, online games weren’t yet widespread, so language skills developed through in-game text, manuals, and personal translation efforts. In the 90s, gaming gradually moved online, where communication happened via text chats and later voice channels. In English, of course.
The best way to develop language skills is by speaking. And today, the phrase “Finns are good at grammar but bad at speaking” feels as outdated as a cringey AI-generated collectible figurine meme.
There’s plenty of research on how gaming improves language skills. Studies shows for example that gaming children outperform non-gamers in English vocabulary. A University of Nottingham study confirms that games offer "incidental and natural learning," meaning gaming helps kids learn languages in a way that also enhances their thinking and problem-solving.
And the biggest power of gaming? Motivation. People can learn anything if they have the curiosity and passion for it. Children rarely need encouragement to start gaming. The hidden learning within the game takes care of the rest.
If any parent is still wondering whether gaming can be useful, both research and lived experience clearly say: yes.
Minecraft and Learning English
Minecraft is one of the most popular games globally among 7- to 12-year-olds. It has over 180 million monthly players (Source: Statista 2024). It's also an excellent tool for learning various useful skills. Even though today’s games are available in multiple languages and local communities exist in major languages, Minecraft can be effectively harnessed for language learning.
Especially when it’s done the School of Gaming way: community-based gaming under the guidance of a skilled game educator ensures that Minecraft also boosts language acquisition.
Why School of Gaming’s English Minecraft Club Works:
✅ Minecraft game worlds and content are in English: Players communicate with each other in English via voice or text chat.
✅ It’s a safe, social environment: Collaborative projects encourage active use of English. The threshold for speaking drops significantly when guided by a trusted adult.
✅ Playful learning: Kids don’t need extra motivation to learn. It happens naturally through their interests.
✅ Learning happens through content: No grammar drills or word lists. Language develops organically through story-driven tasks.
Join a Free Minecraft Demo Lesson to Learn English!
Every week, School of Gaming hosts Minecraft demo lessons. You can sign up here. Some of the sessions are held entirely in English.
During the demo:
🧱 We build together
🗣 We speak and hear English
🌍 We collaborate with kids from other countries
🎯 We learn new words in a way that sticks
No pressure. No performance. Just play and have fun! Read more about our English Minecraft Club here.