How Runescape Made Us Fluent

Best English XP per hour.
Aside from teaching us that tin + copper creates bronze, and making us the fastest typer in class, Runescape also set a lot of players on the path of English fluency.
In this video I cover how and why one of my favorite games of all time, Runescape, helped me learn English.
If you're interested to learn more about OSRS, check this video out:
Why Old School RuneScape Is One Of The Best MMORPGs To Play In 2018: • Why Old School RuneSca...
MUSIC USED: Oldschool Runescape OST - Mellow
Oldschool Runescape OST - Newbie Melody
Oldschool Runescape OST - Emotion
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[@cesare3016]

A game like that for Japanese would be amazing!

[@Livakivi]

I know right!

[@cesare3016]

@eldos Baltabai Got RTK done bro. Kanji is a no brainer

[@cesare3016]

@eldos Baltabai ok

[@willionaire9737]

@@cesare3016 how'd that go? lmao

[@retrofizz727]

Kanji are not that hard it's just a very long journey and sometimes boring or even unmotivating but once you know a bunch of them it's rewarding :)

[@buscuitnaught3026]

I like the comparison you made between the XP curve in Runescape and how it is learning languages. I grew up with Italian speaking parents so I picked up the basics naturally, but I wasn't speaking it often enough to be fully fluent in it. So when I got older and decided that I really wanted to up my proficiency, I felt like I was making almost no progress because I was already at a fairly advanced level. Also, definitely gonna give earthlingo a try! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@AmbiCahira]

I'm utilizing this with stardew valley now. I have played enough stardew to know the game anyway but I switch the language setting to Korean and my favorite practice so far is that it teaches weekdays in a more immersive way because the women of the village is doing aerobics on Tuesdays so you can't buy certain things on Tuesdays and the cheaper food store is closed on Wednesdays, and the traveling merchant is on location on Fridays and Sundays, so it means that the weekdays hold enough importance that the new weekday names becomes more than just a memorized sequence but it holds importance. I love also that with a translator at hand I can learn a lot of new words and I get tons of practice in learning to read faster. Stardew valley also has Japanese, Chinese, Russian and many more languages so I definitely recommend it. ^^

[@mechka8435]

This is literally the most important channel I have encountered in my life. No other content has ever influenced me as much as these videos.

[@didnt_ask_for_handle]

Hopefully this can also start a conversation about games with a similar nature. Because I too am one of those people who was taught by runescape and the internet. I would love to immerse myself in a japanese world but I'm not a kid anymore. I don't have the freetime or enough patience to fumble around in a world I can't understand. I think that's also an amazing part of quest guides. If you actually read them knowing the language and being aware of what's going on in game it's like they are written for people who are near braindead. Telling you exactly what to click in what order. It's simplified to such a level that you can't possibly mess them up which is perfect for people that only really understand 2-3 words in each of those sentences.

[@Livakivi]

I totally understand the feeling of being too "old" to explore a barely comprehensible video game world now. I feel like its one of the big advantages children have, the patience and curiosity to just try "random stuff" until something interesting happens, instead of wanting direct results and feedback immediately in order to not waste time when you grow older. And yeah, the quest guides pretty much were exactly that. Both text and video versions.

[@Variabull]

Runescape is surprisingly underrepresented outside of its own community, despite how much of an impact it's had on a significant number of people. I had a great pride for the typing speed I acquired as well as the knowledge that tin and copper make bronze thanks to Runescape. It's always seemed like the perfect sandbox to learn things, be it mythologies, sciences, those quirky British sensibilities, or even a whole language. Those old RS videos really take me back, too. I really enjoyed hearing your commentary and the production on this video was well paced and really high quality. Keep up the great work.

[@THELEGEND-so7vs]

How did Runescape help you to reach fluency in your writing in English?

[@MATTierial]

I've just stumbled across your videos through your Duolingo critiques. And they're really great! Your insights into language learning are exactly what I was looking for! I downloaded the 2k/6k anki cards that you suggested, and i love the idea of using games for language learning. Too bad there isn't a RuneScape for Japanese 😅 I just wanted to say, your content is fantastic, and I hope you keep making more videos. You deserve more views and subscribers and I'm sure they will come :)

[@Livakivi]

Thanks

[@drauc]

Even as a native English speaker, RuneScape taught me a lot of obscure words. I've encountered quite a few over the years where other native English speakers say they don't know what it means or how to spell it, and I say, "Oh yeah, I learned that word from RuneScape." I've noticed quite a lot of AJATTers/immersion-based learners also played and loved RuneScape.

[@deathbeto2]

I was thinking, isn't The Sims a good game for learning languages? Especially because it is a life simulator and there are many objects and situations of daily life? I don't know, it would be interesting to see if it helps to learn a language.

[@Livakivi]

I think it can be, because in fact I did learn English as a child with the Sims. I very clearly remember how, before I had started learning English, there were the options when you clicked on stuff, such as "use" for the toilet, "chat/flirt/joke" etc for the chat interactions and so on.

[@samuel.-3751]

@@Livakivi Bro, what did you use for learning English? I mean, websites and so on for grammar and vocabulary. ty.

[@Livakivi]

@@samuel.-3751 I never used any grammar or vocabulary websites for learning English, I was just browsing random stuff until I became fluent. Mixed with having English classes in school for 10ish years.

[@samuel.-3751]

@@Livakivi The same for me but I ended in a lower level xd. An English learning equivalent for Imabi would be nice jsjsjs. Ty for answering

[@cuentadeyoutube5903]

I learned English a lot through computer games. I was taking formal lessons at the time but eventually I dropped the classes. Games and media took me to the next level. That took years. My problem with Japanese is that it seems impossible to start from scratch as I don't have a way to relate it to anything I know already. It seems like I need some way to get me started. Also, it would be great to have a game that allow you to play without any understanding of Japanese but also gave you an incentive to learn the language. I.e. making the effort to understand gave you an advantage.

[@Zookoll]

Runescape got me into software development, web applications as main focus. I wrote some cheats and macros with scar + SRL Library in 2008 and that jumpstarted the whole programming thing. Now as I think back, it also opened the road for my professional work as I have been doing web related stuff for 15 years. If it wasn't for this game, I might have ended up with some other job, e.g sales person in tech shop or completely another field.

[@bratplapper]

for years i've been reflecting the same thing. i would never have learned english (at least not as quickly and fluently as I did) if not for online games specially runescape. making friends with english people and wanting to communicate with them pushed me to improve and they'd correct my mistakes.

[@redcomet918]

Runescape ESL gang represent I started playing it when I just had some understanding of english and eventually got involved in translating guides and discussing it on brazilian forums back in the 2000s, before it was translated to portuguese. It's somewhat ironic that when RS3 (then RS2) got a translated version everything that connected me to that community weakened - I wanted to help others understand what was going on, but in the moment everything was translated I felt like a fish out of water, to me it's an "abyssal whip", not a "chicote abissal" or whatever the translation is. To this day I play it on and off, but always in english like I did back in middle/highschool, whenever I try to speak to a countryman and they are playing on the brazilian servers (there's cross-server communication through private and clan chats) I lack the words to explain stuff to them. I think that's something only portuguese, german and french speakers would experience as those are the languages that got a translation for RS3, but not for old school Runescape.

[@Livakivi]

I've actually kind of wondered what the experience of playing RS in my native language would be. But it honestly seems a bit concerning due to item and quest names being localized differently, pretty hard to communicate in guides yeah

[@redcomet918]

@@Livakivi you get somewhat lost sometimes if you're used to the english version already, you basically gotta "relearn" your own language connecting the entities to their names if they're not simple as "chicken" or "cow". It's interesting looking at it from a language learning perspective, really. If you only play it in your language you may lack information from the vastly bigger english community on youtube, reddit and the wiki - but if you know english you could easily translate it, not so much the other way around.

[@suamae515]

brabo apenas

[@simenrudsengen2370]

I've binged most of your videos, I really enjoy your format and opinions. I can tell you put a lot of effort into making them, and I hope you'll continue to make more! I have no doubt if you carry on, you'll get tons of views As a child, I learned most of my english through immersion. I remember playing pokemon and other games with classmates even without understanding the language. Gradually through comprehensible input and engagement, we got proficient in english way before the rest of the class. I have good memories of runescape, but since we had really slow internet at home, it was more a social game I played away from home. I mostly remember running up to Varrock and the quests up around there. Those were good times

[@WhishoMH]

Thanks for helping me discover that game , Pd: rewatching your videos always i loved it !

[@TheTrueFirefox]

Our experiences are the same man... RuneScape is such a huge part of my life and you've nailed why in this video.

[@Isopropyl_Alcohol]

I just came across your video about duolingo (the one mentioning 800+ days of use) and I gotta say, this is QUALITY! Keep it skyrocketing!

[@Livakivi]

Thanks fam!

[@noshutboy4139]

Banger after banger with these videos keep it up.

[@ten-jm8ec]

that was really insightful

[@kevinmoreno846]

ahhh you've described perfectly what I've been telling my friends all this time. Thanks! I guess I will start playinf RS3 again to learn some german haha!

[@josealejandropasoscolmenar2434]

thank you for your videos

[@Razi_ftw]

Amazing vid

[@Giraffinator]

Holy lord above TehNoobShow Oh my god.

[@imsleepyaf6457]

hah... what an absolute gem of a video to randomly find. Great channel my man!

[@mattheww9763]

I would go back and play Runescape old school if they offered spanish for me to learn! Great Video!

[@thomasking49]

Thanks for helping me discover earthlingo!

[@ajcosta]

Man great video! I had an idea of a Runelite plugin that translates everything in the game to another language! We could learn a new language with that!

[@jonathanrouse]

If they had a language skill in the game you would’ve gotten the skill cape for sure haha! Even though I only speak english, I believe my english actually got better through runescape, for all the reasons you mentioned. It also primed me for internet speech as a child too, which became more natural around the internet (the LOLs, the LMAOs, etc.. ) great video!

[@juanatila4483]

I played it when I was on my 11s, and I learned a lot thx to it, so useful for spanish kids

[@SantaEnds]

Keep it up man, I found you through the 600 days of Japanese video and stayed for the RS references :)

[@ichigomiruku54]

this video made me realize i could pick up a japanese mmo, or just play on predominantly japanese servers of a game to immerse myself more once im more experienced with japanese after taking college classes :)

[@PatChatGC]

Ayyy glad I found this video, I also learned english through Runescape haha

[@Arctagon]

I also learnt English (and chatspeak) through OSRS (RS3 wasn't even a thing back then). Ah, those were the days.

[@Livakivi]

Seems almost everyone has touched OSRS to some extent lmao

[@whatsbehindu]

Learned* but yes it’s good

[@Arctagon]

No, 'learnt'. If you are so inclined to spend time attempting to nitpick someone's spelling, you can at the very least make sure you are correct first... and write correctly yourself.

[@whatsbehindu]

@@Arctagon yeah you're right my bad it was early when I made the comment I read it wrong but I'm literally an American. Also jeez calm down dude I didn't mean it in a netpicky way it was literally supposed to be helpful. I'm learning italian and I'm go grateful when people correct me so I was doing the same thing for you. But yes I made a mistake.

[@whatsbehindu]

@@Arctagon actually no I searched it up "learnt" is popular in the UK and in the US we say "learned" so they are both correct

[@tcoren1]

I had the same experience as you but with (global) maplestory. I'm currently in the early stages of trying to learn japanese. Do you think maybe trying out final fantasy XIV on the japanese servers might be a good idea when I have moderate knowledge of grammar and vocabulary? (I think it's probably preferable to play a game originally written in japanese for this purpuse)

[@Livakivi]

Its a small contributor, especially in the early stages, but its definitely going to contribute more than playing it in English

[@chellinacell7450]

I remember the times when I had almost always ask my parents and brother to translate what was going on in the game. Parents even commented how I'd do my homework as enthusiastic as I'd play Runescape. I'm glad I played this game as a child.

[@bwerrty]

i learnt english trough watching animated story time channels like jaiden animations, its also very good for comprehensible input since they make it a point to illjstrate everything

[@one.ebrown]

does anyone know a chinese game similar to this? Or a game to learn language in general?

[@wilsons2882]

if you can find it comprehensible you will sustain your habit. Making bad choices hurts your long term decision by taking in bad habits. In doubt listen to your instincts if you find it engaging and challenging but achievable through your level of input you will be consistent. If it's too easy you will be bored and complacent. If it's too hard you will be frustrated and burn yourself much faster.

[@moneyboyok]

Did you post on osrs subreddit?

[@Livakivi]

yea, that's where it's only dislike came from :^)

[@Jokervision744]

It was the same for me. I was like 10 or so when I started, but no idea when I realized that I should trade with other players. Lol Now I remember words in English, but not necessarily in my mother's tongue, or native language, because it's Finnish. But I guess I had some floor for the language from ps1 and ps2 games, and then on the way I tried some roblox and youtube, while also dabbling with cheat engine.

[@leoelbocchifan]

I basically learned English with the internet/KZbin

[@pointyorb]

I've been using Miitopia to learn Japanese. I'm not sure how good of a resource it is, I'm just having fun while learning the language

[@brucebennett512]

Anyone know something like this for Spanish? I tried FF14 but the Spanish server is full 😓

[@Iskaera]

RuneScape is the sole reason I can type faster than almost anyone else I know lol

[@finnon7460]

1:56 For pronunciation: Stalagmite [ Sta - lag - mite] Stalactite [ Sta - lac - tite ] To remember the difference: stalagMITEs crawl on the floor, like MITES. stalacTITEs are like women's TIGHTS, hanging up to dry Love your videos, always super informative content! Keep it up

[@omp199]

His butchering of those words is proof in itself that "RuneScape" is not a good tool for language acquisition. Comprehensible input means _listening_ to the language that you are learning, and listening for long enough that you get to hear all the words that you are trying to learn, in their proper contexts, and frequently enough that the sounds of the words become familiar to you. If he'd heard the words "stalagmite" and "stalactite" spoken, he wouldn't have pronounced them the way he did. Pointing and clicking on objects to reveal the strings of characters that make up the written representations of words just gives you an onerous memory task combined with a not-very-well specified puzzle: you have to memorise arbitrary strings of characters and just guess how to read them. Doing this is not only a lot of mental effort but also a clear route to errors like jumbling the letters ("lag" -> "gla") and learning the wrong readings for consonants ("c" as /s/ instead of /k/). These sorts of errors don't occur if you do comprehensible input properly: i.e., by listening to the words in speech produced by a native speaker.

[@TreeFrogOnATree]

Of all the Finnish people I know, only 1 played RuneScape. And only 1 speaks English, and only 1 types quickly.

[@Solitario9475]

Used to love RuneScape before it became pay to win with it’s basically Battle Pass lol.

[@_Roadratz_]

I can confidently say, without Runescape, it would've taken me an extra 2 or 3 years to understand English.