Hanum Indra Hapsari. 2026. Indonesian Gamers' Language Mediated Interaction of Practicing English in Online Gaming Communities: A Case Study on Vygotsky's Sociocultural Perspective (Supervised by Rusdiana Junaid, and
Hafirah Patang)
This study investigates Indonesian gamers’ experiences of practicing
English in online gaming communities through the lens of Vygotsky’s
Sociocultural Theory. Employing a qualitative method with a case study design,
data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six Indonesian
gamers who were selected using purposive sampling based on their active use of
English during online gameplay. The findings indicate that online gaming
communities serve as meaningful informal digital learning spaces where English
is practiced through social interaction, collaboration, and communication with
international players. English functions as a mediational tool that enables
participants to coordinate gameplay, exchange information, and build social
relationships. The study also reveals the presence of scaffolding and the Zone of
Proximal Development (ZPD), as participants received support from more
proficient players during interactions. Furthermore, repeated exposure to English
through voice chat, text chat, and gaming-related communication contributed to
vocabulary development, increased communicative confidence, and greater
willingness to use English. These findings support Vygotsky’s view that language
learning develops through socially mediated interaction and demonstrate the
potential of online gaming communities as valuable environments for English
language practice beyond formal educational settings.