Second language learners' new literacy learning in the beyond-game culture

The popularity of video games carries direct implications for literacy in gamer’ first and second languages. Moreover, in-game gameplay often extends to participation in beyond-game new literacy activities, which together form a whole gaming culture (Gee, 2008; Steinkuehler, 2006). Many researchers have explored in-game learning or literacy activities (Gee, 2007; Squire, 2008; Steinkuehler, 2007) while less attention has been paid to beyond-game multiliteracies practices and their implications for literacy learning. Based on the previous research on those game-based learning, this study examines gamers’ beyond-game new literacy activities, particularly their writing and reading in a second language in the beyond-game website Civfanatics.