Who am I?• James York aka Cheapshot
• Assistant Professor at Tokyo Denki University
• Research includes:
• Exploring the differences in spoken communication when completing tasks face to face vs online
• Analog games as part of a wider TBLT teaching framework
Why board games?• Board games are an untapped source for language learning
• They promote more social interaction than video games*
• Constructivist, sociocultural learning
• Extracurricular activities
• Improve engagement
• Student-centered learning
*some digital games ARE amazing. Spaceteam anyone?
Hidden roleGames used
CooperativeOne Night Werewolf
One Night Vampire
2 Rooms and a Boom
Resistance: Avalon
Spyfall
Forbidden Island
Pandemic
Dead of Winter
Burgle Bros.
Question Quest
Codenames
FrameworkHOME
IN CLASS
Pre-play activities
Gameplay activities
Post-play activities
Pre-play activities
Methodological PrincipalsYes Yes No OK No
Somewhat Somewhat
Unsure
Yes No
MP1 - Use task not text MP2 - Promote learning by doing MP3 - Elaborate Input MP4 - Provide rich input MP5 - Encourage chunk learning MP6 - Focus on form MP7 - Provide negative feedback MP8 - Respect learner syllabi and development process MP9 - Promote cooperative learning MP10 - Individualise instruction
AT HOMELearn the rules from rule book #reading Learn the rules from video #listening Write comprehension questions about rules #writing Watch game play video #listening Write useful phrases #writing
IN CLASSCheck rules #reading #listening #speaking
Pre-play
Play the game #speaking #listening #reading Make notes on vocabulary #writing Make notes on what you wanted to say but couldn’t #writing
Gameplay activities
Debriefing: Talk about problems, language or game-related #speaking #listening Focus on form (where necessary) #reading #writing Write a report of the game #writing Choose a new game for the following week
Post-play activities
Name Type Players Weight Play timeBurgle Bros. Coop 2-5 3 45 minsPandemic Coop 2-4 3 1 hour
Hanabi Coop - Memory 2-5 1 25 mins2 Rooms and a
BoomCoop (Teams) Hidden Roles 8+ 3 15 mins
Dead of Winter Coop 2-5 5 1 - 3 hoursForbidden Island Coop 2-4 3 30 - 45 mins
Munchkin Fight! 3-6 3 1 hourOne Night Werewolf Mystery 4-10 2 15 mins
Question Quest Word game Fight 2-6 2 30 mins
Resistance Avalon Coop (Teams) 5-10 2 45 mins
Mascarade Fight! Hidden Roles 2-13 2 45 mins
Codenames word game 4 - 8 2 45 minsSpyfall hidden role 4 - 8 3 10 mins
Assessment• Participation during class time
• Are they using English?
• Did they complete the comprehension questions?
• Are they encouraging their peers to use English?
• Are they being active participants?
• Weekly reports
• Final report and questionnaire
30%
14%
12%
11%
8%
7%
5%4%
4%4%
1%
Goodpoints
fun
learning
communication
authentic
relaxed
makefriends
purposeful
cooperation
natural
novelty
65%
15%
8%
6%6%
Badpoints
SpokeJapanese
rulebook toodifficult
Difficult vocabulary
Didn't learnrules
Notenoughtimetoplay
Future direction
• Improve the framework
• Collect data on student spoken communication
• Collect data on vocabulary retention
Websiteblog.kotobaminers.org
Twitter@cheapshotFacebook
facebook.com/yorksensei
Contact