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Presented by Jimmy D. Clark July 11, 2006

Characteristics of Best Games : Fun Interactive Adaptive (Flow) Competition

Basic principles of Using Games in the Classroom: 1. Relate to rest of learning. 2. Establish plan for competition or collaboration. 3. Expand learning. 4. Feed learner creativity.

Reasons for Using Games in the Language Classroom: Interest Context Cooperation Practice language Lower anxiety

Types of Language Games: Ice-Breakers Guessing Games Information Gap Memory Games Compare-Contrasting

7 Some Language Games Hangman English Taxi Missing HeadlinesThe Secret Code

Let’s Play Spanish Hangman!! an.htm

Objective – Learn vocabulary Advantages: 1. Free – Lots of games on Web 2. Fun and engaging 3. Can be challenging Lower order game Spanish Hangman Game

Tactical Language Learner

12 Tactical Language Game Objective – To develop tools to support individualized language learning, and apply them to the acquisition of tactical languages …. Procedures: 1. Learners will practice on vocabulary items and learn gestures, and then apply them in simulated missions. 2. In the simulation they will interact with avatars and virtual characters. Higher order game Source: Center for Advanced Research in Technology for Education. Available at:

Games for Business Subjects

Some Games Used in Business Classes: Management Possible Second Life Better Business Game Straight Shooter In$sider Gazillionaire

16 Straight Shooter Objective – Certification in policies, procedures, continuing topics, or for any “dry” information which must be learned in detail. Procedures – Users complete their certification either by playing a highly motivating videogame, or by answering questions directly. Lower or medium level game. Source: Games 2 Train.com. Available at:

18 Gazillionnaire Objective – Learn business strategy by working with the laws of supply and demand. Procedures: 1. Six people can play at a time on the same computer by or over the Internet. 2. Uses sophisticated real-world economic tools to build a trade empire. 3. The first company to reach a net worth of a billion kubars wins. Source: LavaMind.com. Available at:

20 Links to Business Games Better Business Game ame/ Gazillionaire Straight Shooter Virtual Leader age.htm

A Math Game Baseball Game ath/index.html

“Jobs are finished; roll-playing has taken over; the job is a passé entity. The job belonged to the specialist. The kids know that they no longer live in a specialist world; you cannot have a goal today. You cannot say, “I’m going to start here and I’m going to work for the

next three years and I’m going to go all that distance.” Every kid knows that within three years, everything will have changed including himself and the goal.” (Marshall McLuhan, 1971)

24 Index of Key Terms Language game – A device to create a situation in the classroom which gives learners an opportunity to use language they have already learned in a relaxed way with maximum possible free expression in order to fulfill a simple task, solve a problem, or communicate a piece of information. (10) Ice-breakers – Helps tutor/ learners get to know one another. (10) Guessing games – People like to make intelligent guesses to form their own theories and to work things out by a process of elimination. (10) Information gap – The object is to find the missing information you need from other members of the group. (10) Memory games – People like testing their memory and this can also make you think in the language you are learning and collaborate and/or compete with others. (10)

25 Index of Key Terms, Page 2 Comparing/Contrasting – You photocopy a picture or text and make alterations to it. You ask your learners to find the differences by talking to each other without looking at each other’s picture or text. (10) Word games – Teachers can make up games using the alphabet, dictating, drawing, sequencing, flash cards, list and adding on, to help students use and remember the vocabulary of the language they are studying. Opinion gap – Features pair of group discussions where learners represent a different point of view. Collaborating to complete a task – Encourages students to make a contribution and the need to get a task finished adds a sense of urgency to the work. Role-plays/simulations – The language game may become a simulation with the classroom transformed into an imaginary scenario with learners taking their own individual roles.

26 Index of Key Terms, Page 3 Source: Language Games, by Claire Heriz-Smith (Available at: ).