Formalizing Casual Tabletop Games for Language Teaching

Game-based learning has received considerable attention for the teaching of subjects such as Math and Science. For the teaching of foreign languages, however, the field is still in its infancy as the proliferation of gamification topples meaningful and transformative gameful teaching practices. The overuse of gamified quizzes and applications in language education has established games as trivia practices, which sugar-coat the challenging task of language learning through rewards. Although motivating students is an important step to engage them in the learning process, games have the potential to solicit communication and social skills which are much needed in language learning. The paper calls for a game-enhanced approach to language learning, which treats games as authentic materials that immerse students in meaningful communication and teachers in creative practice. Examples of casual, vernacular games are visited and their formal application in the language classroom is discussed in order to meet the mandated foreign language curricula. Formally linking games to curriculum objectives is essential for teachers to appreciate the motivational and pedagogical value of non-educational games and inform their practice creatively.