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Title“Survival is Insufficient”: Building Everyday Vocabulary Through This War of Mine Gameplay
SourceCASLS Activity of the Week
Body

The purpose of this activity is to engage novice university (and possibly high school) learners in schemata building for new vocabulary that pertains to their everyday lives. In order to complete this activity, learners work in teams to play Day 1 of This War of Mine. As they play, they will build vocabulary lists of words that they are able to understand given context and group collaboration. After they build the lists, they will categorize the words by what they need to survive versus what they need to feel well and fulfilled.

This War of Mine is an engaging game, and it is ideal for use in the language classroom. However, given the language used and the adult themes incorporated into gameplay, the game should only be used with mature audiences. It is especially important that teachers review the game before using it and secure approval from parents, guardians, and school administration.

Objectives

Learners will be able to:

  • acquire new vocabulary related to one’s everyday life via context and collaboration.
  • build schemata to promote long-term vocabulary retention.
  • comprehend vocabulary dealing with everyday life.
  • categorize and discuss new vocabulary.

Modes: Interpretive Reading, Presentational Writing

Resources: Vocabulary Interaction Sheet, This War of Mine app or computer game

Procedure:

1.      Prime learners for targeted vocabulary acquisition by brainstorming words that they might need to discuss their everyday lives. Learners should offer any words that they know in the target language, but much of the brainstorm will happen in the first language. If the learners struggle to offer a robust collection of words, the teacher may choose to ask them the following questions to guide their thinking:

  • What tangible things do you need to live?
  • What intangible things do you need to live?
  • How do you get enjoyment and fulfillment out of life?

As you record this brainstorming session on the board, learners should record it as well on Part A of the Vocabulary Interaction Sheet.

2.     The brainstormed words (and any additional words that the teacher would like learners to focus on) will provide the students with targeted vocabulary words to find through gameplay in This War of Mine. Learners will search for these words by playing Day 1 (roughly 15 minutes) of the game in groups of 3-4 members. As they play, they will document the meaning of the targeted words and any other words that they discover by completing Part B of the Vocabulary Interaction Sheet.

3.     After learners have completed Part B, regroup as a class to share what words were discovered. Instruct learners to add words to the Vocabulary Interaction Sheet as is needed.

4.     Next, learners will work individually for roughly 10 minutes to categorize words in Part C of the Vocabulary Interaction Sheet. The categories that they use will be ‘Necessary for Survival’ and ‘Necessary for Wellness and Fulfillment’.

5.     To close the activity, lead a class discussion regarding the categorization of the words that learners completed. Do your best in this discussion to challenge learner thinking. For example, if learners state that a bed is needed for wellness and fulfillment, argue that it is necessary for survival since sleep is necessary for survival. Given the proficiency level of the learners, much of this conversation and its associated schemata building will occur in the first language. However, encourage learners to use the target language as much as possible.

Publishdate2015-11-23 02:15:02