The Effects of Group Dynamics on Language Learning and Use in an MMOG.
The use of video games as a learning tool, in particular massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) continues to grow, as does the research in this field of study; research to date has revealed benefits to the language learner as well as hindrances and research gaps (Godwin Jones, 2014) This study examines participant perspectives on group dynamics, and how comradery and a foreign language guide affect participants' in game production of L2 German while playing World of Warcraft (WoW) as an extramural activity. This study focuses on an eight week long MMOG gaming project, in which two groups of participants played WoW with a native German speaker in order to investigate the effects inter group dynamics have on a participant's real time target language production and willingness to communicate. Participants reported during interviews and written journal entries that a lack of shared interests and motivation (learning and gaming) negatively affected the groups' target language participation. The findings additionally suggest that a trained foreign language instructor paired with a motivated learner may result in increased participation; however these increases may be temporary if a group's relationship does not extend beyond a shared goal of foreign language improvement.