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Play,Play,Game, Game,

Simulation:Simulation:three magic wordsthree magic words

Busnago 07 05 2010Busnago 07 05 2010

Dr Paolo Iotti Dr Paolo Iotti

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A weekend with…

A weekend with…

A weekend with…

A weekend with…I’m Emil I’m Emil

FaithFaith

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3 activities; 3 3 activities; 3 strategiesstrategies

►PlayPlay Game GameSimulationSimulation

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PLAY…PLAY…

►A play is a manner of dealing with A play is a manner of dealing with others; it is different from real life; it others; it is different from real life; it differs from reality in place and time. differs from reality in place and time.

►A play starts and ends at a given A play starts and ends at a given point, and it can be repeated.point, and it can be repeated.

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GAME…GAME…

► A game is an activity based on competition, A game is an activity based on competition, so at the end, there is always a winner and a so at the end, there is always a winner and a loser. loser.

►Of course the winner of the game can get Of course the winner of the game can get different rewards, for example: different rewards, for example: it can be something real (an object), something it can be something real (an object), something

symbolic (points), idealistic (praise)... symbolic (points), idealistic (praise)...

► A game is rule-governed, so there is a set of A game is rule-governed, so there is a set of rules which each participant has to obey.rules which each participant has to obey.

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SIMULATIONSIMULATION

► A simulation is nothing else but trying to act out A simulation is nothing else but trying to act out the real-life situations. the real-life situations.

► People taking part in simulations play different People taking part in simulations play different social roles. It is very often connected with social roles. It is very often connected with solving some kind of a problem or planning solving some kind of a problem or planning something.something.

► The basic difference between a game and a The basic difference between a game and a simulation is that in a game there is always a simulation is that in a game there is always a winner, which not always happens in case of winner, which not always happens in case of simulation.simulation.

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More example of More example of plays 1/2plays 1/2

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More example of More example of plays 2/2plays 2/2

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More example of More example of games 1/2games 1/2

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More example of More example of games 2/2games 2/2

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Disadvantages of using games Disadvantages of using games in the classroom ? Maybe, but…in the classroom ? Maybe, but…► A GAME...A GAME...► ... helps to train children’s memory ... helps to train children’s memory

and creativity and…and creativity and…► what is more, it teaches children to what is more, it teaches children to

control their feelings (anxiety, control their feelings (anxiety, impatience, anger)impatience, anger)

► ……

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More advantages of using More advantages of using games in the classroomgames in the classroom

► Games are a welcome break from the usual Games are a welcome break from the usual routine of the language class.routine of the language class.

► They are motivating and challenging.They are motivating and challenging.► Learning a language requires a great deal of Learning a language requires a great deal of

effort; games help children to make and sustain effort; games help children to make and sustain the effort of learning.the effort of learning.

► Games provide language practice in the various Games provide language practice in the various skills- speaking, writing, listening and reading. skills- speaking, writing, listening and reading.

► They encourage children to interact and They encourage children to interact and communicate.communicate.

► They create a meaningful context for language They create a meaningful context for language use.use.

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More example of More example of simulations simulations 1/21/2

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More example of More example of simulations simulations 2/22/2

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Plays Games & SimulationsPlays Games & Simulations

► Language learning is a hard task which can Language learning is a hard task which can sometimes be frustrating. Constant effort is sometimes be frustrating. Constant effort is required to understand, produce and required to understand, produce and manipulate the target language. Well-manipulate the target language. Well-chosen chosen P G & S P G & S are invaluable as they allow are invaluable as they allow children to practice their language skills. children to practice their language skills.

► P G & SP G & S are highly motivating since they are highly motivating since they are amusing and at the same time are amusing and at the same time challenging. They also encourage and challenging. They also encourage and increase cooperation.increase cooperation.

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In conclusion…In conclusion…► There is a common perception that all There is a common perception that all

learning should be serious and solemn learning should be serious and solemn in nature, and that if one is having fun in nature, and that if one is having fun and there is hilarity and laughter, then and there is hilarity and laughter, then it is not really learning. This is a it is not really learning. This is a misconception. It is possible to learn a misconception. It is possible to learn a language as well as enjoy oneself at language as well as enjoy oneself at the same time. the same time.

►One of the best ways of doing this is One of the best ways of doing this is through the combination of today’s through the combination of today’s three key words three key words plays, games, and plays, games, and simulationssimulations