COMMENTARY
Remember those educational computer games you played in elementary school?
Maybe you used "Mario Teaches Typing" to learn how to speed through school work and type faster.
Even if you occasionally lost the game, chances are you enjoyed the process more than taking a regular class.
With the theory that we can learn a lot through games, MSU and China Central Radio and Television University in Beijing is creating an online video game environment to teach students Chinese language and culture.
It's all part of MSU's partnership with the Chinese government to create the MSU Confucius Institute, which will teach MSU students Mandarin Chinese online.
Because of China's growing population and expanding global role, it's becoming important for students to learn Chinese.
Students in China are undoubtedly learning English, and we need to keep up with languages that more people will be speaking.
And for generations of students who have grown up with computers and are proficient with the Internet, integrating learning a language and playing computer games could help students struggling to grasp the language.
The game allows students to navigate through Chinese culture, learning to interact with others who speak the language.
If it allows students to learn at their own pace and level, it could help people who aren't grasping the material in traditional settings.
It has to hold their attention and make trying to speak a different language seem fun.
Although the game seems like it could be an interesting way to learn a new language, it shouldn't completely erase traditional forms of learning languages.
Half the fun of learning a new language is getting to interact face-to-face with other people and speak to them, all while learning about the culture.
A game shouldn't replace speaking with actual people, and to be effective, the game should be coupled with actual teaching.
But for those who reveled in educational games like "Oregon Trail" as a child, this could be a big hit.
Play on.
