Exploring Students’ Perceptions of the Effects of Video Games on English Communication Skills

Video games have become a prominent form of entertainment and engagement, particularly among students. While they offer immersive and interactive experiences, their impact on communication skills remains debatable, especially within English language learning contexts. Grounded in Bandura’s social learning theory, this study explores students’ perceptions of the effects of video games on English communication skills, particularly in relation to verbal and written communication. The study employed a quantitative research approach using a cross-sectional survey distributed to 151 university students. The findings indicate that students generally perceive video games as having a moderate positive impact on their communication skills, with an overall mean score of 3.38. The highest mean scores were recorded for self-expression (3.73), effective communication (3.60), and confidence in communication (3.54). These findings suggest that video games may contribute positively to students’ English communication development by providing interactive opportunities for communication and social engagement. Nevertheless, concerns regarding the use of informal language and reduced emphasis on formal communication remain relevant. The study highlights the importance of balanced gaming practices to maximise communicative benefits while minimising potential drawbacks. Future research may employ mixed-method or qualitative approaches to examine how different video game genres influence communication patterns and long-term language development.

Video games; Communication skills; University students; English language

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