The opinions and attitudes of the foreign language learners and teachers related to the traditional and digital games: Age and gender differences

Abstract

The present study aimed at investigating the differences between the teachers and the 'new generation' of learners, their opinions about which language skills would benefit more from games, and the nuances of the two genders (male and female), while also revealing the profiles and tendencies of different age groups in relation to their fascination with playing traditional or digital games. The subjects were 131 foreign language learners or teachers from five different age groups, ranging between 7 and 50. The data were collected and analysed through both qualitative and quantitative constructions. Results suggested that female subjects were mostly in favour of traditional games, and liked to play educational games more than their male counterparts, while also it was revealed that from among the six language skills, vocabulary seemed to have the potential to benefit most considerably from games.