Utilizing Narrative Grounding to Design Storytelling Games for Creative Foreign Language Learning
summary
Designers build a tabletop storytelling game with shared characters, content cards and teacher-placed language cards and test seven prototypes with 41 learners then a 36-student classroom study (3–6 per group, 30 minute sessions). Teams play Guardians vs Tricksters, creating competing challenges to force active listening. Findings show narrative grounding increases cohesion and engagement, Mechanical Turk rates show improved imaginative output, and the final design balances concrete constraints with teacher adaptability unlike heavy Dungeons & Dragons–style scenarios.
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chapters (13)
- 0:00Introduction to talk
- 0:27Gap in English learning methods
- 1:51Inspiration from role-playing games
- 3:19Design process and prototypes
- 4:06Open narrative game challenges
- 5:52Structured role-playing game issues
- 7:45Refining the design approach
- 8:28Narrative grounding concept
- 9:30Game mechanics and card types
- 10:37Gameplay demonstration
- 12:00Final prototype study
- 12:45Design recommendations
- 14:33Q&A session
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