Needs Analysis of VR-Supported Serious Games for Professional Language Training in Crisis Response

Clear communication with international teams is essential in emergency and disaster management, yet language barriers often complicate coordination. This study explores the foreign language training needs of Emergency Aid and Disaster Management (EADM) students and field professionals from Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (DEMA) in one Turkish province and examines participants’ perceptions of how a Virtual Reality (VR)-supported serious-games approach could address these gaps. Using a descriptive survey design with quantitative and qualitative data, we surveyed 51 participants to assess current language proficiency, prior experience with international disaster communication, and perceptions of VR-supported training. Findings indicate that most participants had little or no experience working with foreign teams, and those who did reported low English proficiency. While formal language training was minimal, participants strongly favoured hands-on and simulation-based learning methods and expressed significant interest in VR-supported training as a practical approach to developing crisis-communication skills. Overall, these findings identify substantial language-skill gaps in this context and suggest that innovative, technology-enhanced training may warrant further investigation to improve preparedness for international disaster response.