Developing Vietnamese Language Competence through Language Games: A Case Study of Korean Learners at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Abstract

This paper investigates the effectiveness of integrating language games into teaching Vietnamese as a foreign language. Drawing on pedagogical experiments featuring seven non-digital games conducted with Korean learners at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, the study evaluates the impact of these games on learner motivation and knowledge retention. Findings indicate that language games significantly reduce psychological barriers and enhance communicative interaction. They are particularly effective in teaching phonetics and dialect variation. However, the study also identifies certain limitations regarding time management and the logistical constraints of traditional teaching aids. Based on these findings, the research proposes the development of theoretical frameworks for the use of language games in teaching Vietnamese to foreigners, complemented by curated collections of practical game activities to enhance the efficacy of teaching international