DoTA In Classroom Learning

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This is based on the article that you have chosen.
Focus on:
i) The problem
ii) The method used to address the problem
iii) What is the big deal about this?
iv) Can it be applied in your classroom of the future?

The article chosen: https://repository.usd.ac.id/33207/2/146332034_full.pdf

Based on the article entitled “The Acquisition Of English Through Playing Dota”, it discussed applying DoTA as a platform to learn English, as stated in the title. Defence of The Ancients 2 (DoTA 2) is a widely-played game around the world. The genre of DoTA is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), where a lot of actions and strategies will be involved.

DoTA 2 is a worldwide game therefore players will meet a lot of people from different countries. As there is a language barrier between players from different countries who used different languages, the players will need to use a second language to communicate and interact with the other players. DoTA 2 is a strategy game, therefore communication or interaction is crucial in order to build a good and concrete strategy. English is an international language. So, the second language that will be used by the players who play DoTA is English. That is why this issue is raised. Can DoTA 2 be used as a learning platform for English? It is believed that players who play DoTA 2 will be able to increase their mastery in English due to their encounter with various people who are fluent in it.

The method used in order to address the problem is hermeneutics phenomenological research. This research is used in order to understand how someone would interpret their experiences through their daily lives. The aim is to get a better and deeper understanding of DoTA players’ experiences, in order to determine whether DoTA 2 can be used as a learning means or not. A few DoTA 2 players would need to answer questions regarding DoTA based on their experiences.

There are four main skills in English which are writing, speaking, listening and reading. The game is believed to influence all these four skills of English in players. As stated in the article, DoTA 2 is a game meant for playing with people all around the world. Therefore, players will meet different people who speak English with a different accent and this will improve their listening skills since they will have to listen properly in order to understand. Other than that, some of the players that prefer to communicate verbally will improve their speaking skills. The game is a battle game so sometimes, the player would not have the time to write in order to convey their message to their teammates. That is why in this situation, the player will have to use verbal English and over time they would get used to it and become comfortable using English. Lastly are both writing and reading skills. For players who prefer nonverbal communication, they would improve more on these two skills because they have to read other people’s messages and send one of their messages as well. This will help them to learn new vocabulary and even have their grammar skill improved.

Based on my opinion, this game does improve one’s mastery of English. However, I do not agree with the idea of using DoTA 2 in classroom learning. In the article, one of the respondents stated that if a team consists of five players with good individual skills, interaction is not really necessary. Moreover, most players would only be able to develop their English skills in specific areas. For example, for those who refuse to use verbal English, they would communicate using text. However, because of this, they would only improve in reading and writing. The game settings in DoTA 2 are not simple as well. Therefore, the application of this game as a learning method for English in the classroom is a huge trouble beginner that has no experience in playing battle games. DoTA 2 can still be used as one of the ways to learn English informally but to use it as one of the lessons in classroom learning is not a good idea.