Unusual Ways of Language Acquisition

Videogames

I have experienced it, and I have heard it from others as well: If you play videogames in a foreign language (either because you want to improve that language, or because the videogame isn't available in your native language), you pick up a lot "on the go". The greatest part surely is the game-specific vocabulary, but depending on the amount of text in the game, grammar and style will improve too. In my experience, the genre which offers best possibilities for language acquisition and improvement is that of RPGs (Role Playing Games). They depend on dialogue and story elements and some understanding of in-game texts is necessary to understand and evaluate what is going on, and to make the right decisions. Who wants to fully enjoy an RPG needs to understand the in-game texts. Since most gamers who play RPGs also want to excel at gaming, they will be motivated to learn new words.

If your children play videogames in a foreign language, support them by providing sources to look up new words, grammar and language structure, for example dictionaries and grammar books.

Comics

Especially boys might be more compelled to read comics instead of "normal books". If they have a favourite comic series which is available in a foreign language (or even originates in a different country, like the Asterix series, which is French), it might be a great motivation to actually start learning another language. Just get them a comic book in a foreign language. The illustrations will help them to understand what is going on even without any knowledge, and curiosity will likely get them to look up the words so that they can fully understand the story.

Song Lyrics

Do you listen to music with foreign lyrics? Aren't you wondering what the band is singing, and what you are singing along all the time? Well, just look for the lyrics online, grab a dictionary and start with looking up the meaning. Maybe you will take this as motivation to actually start learning the other language?

What other unusual ways of language acquisition can you think of? Care to share them with us?