Nearly a quarter of surveyed ESL educators use computer games to teach English, according to a new study.

Research by Kaplan International Colleges, a leading provider of English courses, revealed that 24% of ESL teachers use computer games during class to enhance lessons and help students improve their understanding of the English language.

Kaplan discovered that The Sims was the most popular game used by ESL teachers with 14% stating that they used the best-selling simulation game, while 11% opted for Sim City and 8% favoured Second Life. The Sims allows players to create a virtual family of characters called Sims, whom they then guide through everyday challenges. Sims do not speak but instead interact through gestures and a nonsense language called Simlish so how can they be used to teach English?Players are exposed to a wide-range of written language in the instructions, control and status bar labels. Also, product descriptions in virtual catalogues used for shopping are ideal for lesson plans based on vocabulary.

Jordan Shapiro, author of FREEPLAY: A VIdeo Game Guide to Maximum Euphoric Bliss, said: "The market is quickly filling with tons of short-form games that powerfully and effectively supplement core curricula at all stages of education."

"I’ve seen first-hand how games can engage students with informative and adaptive feedback that motivates in ways an old fashioned workbook just never could. In the hands of great teachers, games like The Sims can integrate traditionally disparate subjects using grounded cross-disciplinary thinking."