In this study, we designed a game-based English as a foreign language (EFL) learning activity for junior high school students for the application of newly learned knowledge to the real world. The learning activity was combined with physical exercises such as walking. Smartwatches were used to help students create learning content during the learning activity and monitor their physical activity. We aimed to explore how learning activity supported by smartwatches can facilitate cognitive processes such as Remembering (i.e., remembering new knowledge), Understanding (i.e., understanding new knowledge) and Applying (i.e., applying acquired knowledge in new situations). We also explored student learning experiences during the smartwatch-supported language learning process. Our results showed that the posttest student's cognitive processes level was significantly higher than that of the pretest. From the interviews, we found that the students' learning experience can be categorised into EFL learning, physical exercise, smartwatch usage, learning satisfaction and problems. The results revealed that the learning activity supported by smartwatches was useful for language learning and physical exercise, and the students were satisfied with their learning experiences. The students used smartwatch functions such as texting, recording, sharing and monitoring their language practice in the real world. Based on our results, we suggest designing real-world language learning activities supported by smartwatches as they may facilitate cognitive processes from a basic to a higher level because they enable students to learn new knowledge and apply it in everyday life.