Board games in learning foreign languages: theory and practice (on the example of Spanish language)

Abstract

  The goal of this article consists in assessment of possibilities of using board games in the process of learning foreign languages. The object of this research is gamification in learning foreign languages, the subject is the educational potential of board games in teaching foreign languages to adolescents and adults. The relevance of this work lies in finding the new forms of integration of educational process and practical activity. The author notes an important advantage of communication in foreign language during the game over other forms of educational communication in shifting the focus of students’ attention and perception of foreign language as an instrument for achieving the goals of the game, rather than an end in itself. Special attention is given to variability of implementation of each game and ways of adapting to the educational goals, level of attainment, and allocated time. Based on the general scientific methods, such as literature searches, analysis and synthesis, classification, as well as empirical methods, such as experiment, observation and comparison, the  author provides methodological substantiation and review of the eight board games; seven of them are intended for learning any foreign language, not Spanish alone, which is taken as an example in this research. The article carries out classification of board games and gives comparative characteristic of the two types of games used in the educational process. The acquired results are of a practical nature and can be applied in teaching foreign languages on any level or stage of education. All methodologies were tested in learning Spanish language at the university in non-linguistic specialties, and demonstrated high effectiveness.