Raul Mora on Understanding Second Language Users as Gamers

In this episode of Experience Points, Dr. Raul Alberto Mora shares insights from his book Understanding Second Language Users as Gamers: Language as Victory. He explores how gamers learn English through play, not for school, but to win, connect, and belong in gaming spaces. Mora emphasizes the value of research by gamers, highlighting how his team of undergrad researchers brought unique perspectives shaped by thousands of hours of gameplay. He also discusses the importance of mentoring young scholars and making academic work accessible beyond universities: through podcasts, libraries, and platforms like TikTok. Games, Mora argues, aren’t just entertainment, they’re immersive spaces for language learning, identity-building, and academic innovation.

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Get the full transcript and references for this episode here: https://www.universityxp.com/podcast/163

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