This document discusses using digital games for language learning. It provides examples of how games can offer learning opportunities through their interactive nature. Some key ways discussed to use games for language learning include having students predict how to use in-game objects, play the game together, and then write sentences using the passive voice to describe what is done with the objects. It also discusses escape room games, information gap activities using games, and having students observe, discuss and question each other about a game being played. Further reading on game-based and digital language learning is also provided.

1. Digital Game-Based
Language Learning
BRAZ TESOL Technology Seminar
http://braz-tesol.org.br/TechnologySeminar - 17th-18th July 2015
graham.stanley@britishcouncil.org
http://www.slideshare.net/bcgstanley/ http://www.digitalplay.info/blog

2. Computer games and language
aims
http://www.digitalplay.info/blog/
http://www.deltapublishing.co.uk/titles/methodology/digital-play

3. Why digital games?
http://www.theoryoffun.com
/
http://artofgamedesign.com
/

4. There are 1 million gamers in UK
Average young person in UK will
spend 10,000 hours gaming by
the age of 21*
*Jane McGonigal - Reality is broken
Why digital games?

5. Give examples of things you have learnt with
technology that are not related to school work
Computer games offer learning opportunities
http://milesberry.net/?p=476#more-476

6. Computer games offer learning opportunities
What is your favourite thing you do with
technology at home
http://milesberry.net/?p=476#more-476

7. No computers

9. http://hero.wikia.com/wiki/Mario

12. Interactive Fiction and teaching English as a foreign language
IF Only: http://www.theswanstation.com/wordpress/
Colossal Cave (1975) 9:05 (2012)
http://adamcadre.ac/if/905.html
One computer, one game
http://www.amc.com/shows/halt-
and-catch-fire/colossal-cave-
adventure/landing

13. http://playspent.org

14. http://www.digitalplay.info/blog/2011/04/15/another-interactive-text-adventure-spent/

15. Demand High Speaking
with a digital game
http://pencilkids.com/droppygame.html
http://demandhighelt.wordpress.com/

21. Now describe the
five images to your
partner
as best you can

22. a) Can I have a
volunteer to describe
the first image?
b) Does anyone
have a better
description?

28. Multiple computers, one game
www.bubblebox.com/play/adventure/1747.htm

29. The aim of the game : The learners predict what to do with a list of pairs of game
objects, check their answers by playing the game and then write down the
answers using the passive voice.
Prepare to play: Choose an adventure game and start playing it. As you play, make
a note of what you do with the objects that appear in the game (or use the
walkthrough to save time) and produce a list similar to the example below. Make a
copy of this list for each learner. You will also need to use online dictionaries.
Play: Hand out the list of objects and tell the learners they are to guess how they
are used together in the game. Ask the learners to talk together in groups of three
and to use the online dictionaries to find out the meaning of the words they do not
understand. After fifteen minutes, stop them and ask them to tell you what they
think the relationship is between each pair of objects in the game: e.g. I think you
use the hairpin to open the shed, etc. They then play the game together. The
game should be easier to play because they know which objects they need to use
together, but if they get stuck, encourage them to read the walkthrough to find out
what to do next. Finally, once they have played the game (or part of the game if
it's long), ask them to look again at the pairs of words and to write about them.
Encourage the use of the passive voice here: e.g. The hairpin is used to open the
shed, etc.
Play on: The learners can continue playing the game and finish off writing passive
sentences about the objects. www.bubblebox.com/play/adventure/1747.htm

31. Finding and using a walkthrough
http://jayisgames.com/archives/2010/04/hetherdale.php#walkthrough

32. Escape the room games
Multiple computers, multiple games

33. Gap fill for vocabulary / grammar

34. Relay reading

35. Jigsaw reading

36. Information gap
Samorost 2

37. Live listening
The Viridian Room
“Now when you lift the waste-paper basket, you
should see a lighter underneath. Pick it up and then
move to the kitchen and open the fridge again.”

38. Observe and write

39. Observe / vocabulary

40. “What should we do? Stay in or go out?”
“Shall we listen to some music?”
“What do you want to do now?”
Watch and say

41. Listening/ questioning
“So, the squirrel has stolen your crisps?
What are you going to do now?
Well, why don't you try looking at the
Bookcase to see if there's something
There to help you?”

42. Procedure and practicalities
 learner grouping – pairs or groups
 use hand-outs – clear instructions / task
 teacher uses game guide (walkthrough)
 encourage use of English during computer
use
 learners explore, examine and pick up
objects
 pause game and reflect on puzzles together
 those who solve puzzle tell whole class
 discuss where they been and what seen
 authentic information gap activity

43. Further Reading: Game-Based Language Learning
 Mawer & Stanley (2011) Digital Play
http://www.deltapublishing.co.uk/titles/methodology/digital-play
 Reinders (ed.) (Palgrave, 2012) Digital Games in Language Learning and Teaching
 Sykes & Reinhardt (Pearson, 2013) Language at Play: Digital Games in Second and Foreign
Language Teaching and Learning

44. Further Reading: Game-Based Learning
 Bartle (New Riders, 2004) Designing Virtual Worlds
 Gee (Palgrave, 2003) What Digital Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy
 Gee (Routledge, 2004) Situated Language and Learning: A critique of traditional
schooling
 Gee (Peter Lang, 2007) Good Video Games + Good Learning: Collected Essays
 Gee (Common Ground, 2005) Why video games are good for your soul
 Prensky (Paragon House, 2001) Digital game-based learning
 Prensky (Paragon House, 2006) Don't Bother Me Mom – I'm Learning!

45. Thank you!
Any questions?
http://www.deltapublishing.co.uk
http://www.digitalplay.info/blog