Adult ESL + Online Game-based learning = ?

Drive through ESL

English as a Second Language, Second Life.

http://www.drive-through-esl.info/

This is a Second Life (virtual) school for online language learners.  It provides users with tutorials on how to operate in the second life environment and then gives students options of the kind of classes or tutorials they would like to be involved with.   By first offering tutorials on how to use the technology the issue of competency for ESL users is removed.  Squire (20110 points out that people are learning content through games regardless of whether they are designed for education or not.  At the very least this use of Second Life, as a delivery platform, has a curriculum that allows for progression to be monitored and learning achievements to be recognized.  You can ask questions of each other and the teacher, be part of a group at a time that suits you, practice your English (reading, pronunciation, grammar, and more).  The first lesson is free to trial and then there is different methods available to pay for lessons.

This  would be a great resource for students to continue their learning outside of the classroom.   The virtual classroom could be use to supplement lessons, provide a forum for questions to be asked outside of class time, or as a set of lessons to be completed as part of the face-to-face curriculum.

            Karma Tycoon

http://www.karmatycoon.com/

I can see this game as a way to encourage conversation with in an Adult ESL classroom.  It is a site that encourages participants to learn about social entrepreneurship,  developed by the DoSomething movement.  I believe this game would appeal to Adult ESL learner as it provides inadvertently provides information about different communities in the US.  Again it is a game slightly more focused on education outcomes and provides a teacher curriculum.

This could be set up as a project for groups of students to work on together creating a collaborative learning environment and space for communication using English.  At times these groups could come together to discuss their progress in the game and the choices that they have made.  Sometimes the most difficult part of an ESL lesson is to begin and move along free conversation.  I have a strong suspicion discussing such a game and the actions of individuals or groups in the game would provide a wealth of material.  Squire (2011) reminds his readers that games are enlivening experiences. They help to wake up our intellectual curiosity and empower us as learners.  The founding aspects of education.

Dumptown

http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/gameintro.htm

Another game to promote conversation with ESL learners.  The aim is to "turn Dumptown into Greentown".  The topic of recycling and reusing is familiar enough with many cultures and this simple but thought-provoking game would promote conversations about recycling in different countries and the students efforts in the game.  It also has other teachable moments with learning all the names of the town buildings, terminology relating to environment issues, and the budgeting piece allows for discussion about managing money.  I have a strong preference to use a unit based curriculum founded on my students interests.  Thus finding online games which incorporate their interests would add depth to the vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills that are learned.

Reference

Cobb, J. (2008, April 18). Mission to learn: 26 learning games to change the world [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.missiontolearn.com/2008/04/learning-games-for-change/

Drive Through ESL (n.d.).  English as a second language, Second Life.   Retrieved from http://www.drive-through-esl.info/.

Karma Tycoon (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.karmatycoon.com/

Squire, K. (2011). Video games and learning: Teaching and participatory culture in the digital age. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.