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Teaching academic discussion skills with a card game

University of Texas at Austin, USA, curtr{at}mail.utexas.edu

Terri Wells

University of Texas at Austin, USA, tlwells{at}mail.utexas.edu

This article describes a game used for teaching discussion skills to English as a Second Language (ESL) students. It was originally designed for students wanting to prepare for graduate study at U.S. universities has been since used for other ESL students wanting to improve conversation skills. The game focuses on common phrases helpful for participating in seminar-style classes common to graduate school settings. The authors explain the rationale for choosing to teach skills using a game. They describe the procedures, benefits, and weaknesses of the game and students' experiences using the game.

Key Words: card game • conversation • discussion skills • education • ESL • game • interaction • seminar classes • simulation

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This version was published on December 1, 2007

Simulation & Gaming, Vol. 38, No. 4, 546-555 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1046878107308063


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Reese, C. Articles by Wells, T. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?