The value of gamification for language learning

What is gamification, and how can it be used in language learning? It is a way to turn a seemingly boring activity into something fun and motivating.

Gamification occurs when you take a language learning activity and make it into a game. It can be anything that helps learners achieve the course outcomes. For example, doing a roleplay, answering questions on a reading text, or completing a vocabulary exercise.

So how can you make these learning activities into games? First, let’s define what a game is.

A game is a form of play that includes:

• game rules

• goals

• competition

• chance

We do these to increase student engagement and motivate them to do tasks. Gamification also makes use of five different elements that engage and motivate students. They are:

• points

• badges

• levels

• leader boards

• challenges

Many teachers already add elements of games such as competition or game rules without even thinking about it. But this may be too simplistic; and other elements will make gamification a more rewarding experience.

When gamification is done well, it creates a positive learning environment and motivates students to learn better.

In practice, certain protocols can be followed in which the teacher and class agree on behaviour and expectations, with points awarded to the whole class when expectations are fulfilled.

Achievement levels are set and when one of these is met, students are rewarded, e.g. no homework for one week. This brings in points, levels and challenges and makes the students willing to learn.

For more details, visit the website https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jUwPDIYRXo

What can we learn from Finland?

Finland might be a country of just under 5.5 million, but it also happens to produce the smartest, most well-rounded students. Part of the reason for this is that it chooses to focus on the promotion of teaching autonomy, creative learning, and equal ability classes.

1. There are no standardised tests In Finland, throughout the course of a child’s education, there is only one test that is mandatory – the matriculation exam – which comes at the end of vocational senior high school. With this system, teachers are trusted to do what they do best – teach. One reason why it is so effective is that there is a lack of competition that runs throughout a child’s schooling.

2. Teachers have to be highly qualified Teachers in Finland are selected from the highest achieving graduates. The top 10 per cent are drafted in to teach their children and are required to take a masters degree before they are allowed to step foot in the classroom. For starters, teachers in Finland have more respect within their society. As they have to go through the same length of training as doctors and lawyers, they are granted equal status.

3. Teachers have freedom In Finland, there is also a national curriculum, but there are neither set texts nor exams to test it. Teachers are given complete freedom as to how they teach what is in the curriculum. Another aspect of teaching in Finland is the cooperation among teachers. Collaboration is encouraged, and teachers regularly share their experiences and expertise.

4. Little homework Statistically, Finland issues a lot less homework to students than most countries do. Though it is a myth that there is no homework at all, most of the education happens in the classroom. Which is, after all, where you would expect it to happen.

5. Kids don’t start school until they’re aged 7 In Finland, although preschool is free for everyone, actual schooling doesn’t take place until the age of

6. The early years are focused on play, rather than academic learning. This is because at the age of five children don’t have the required motor functions to properly handle a pen, and other stationery. Play also helps develops creativity and form social skills through interaction with other children.

For more details, visit the website www.celsianeducation.co.uk/celsian-blog/what-the-uk-education-system-can-learn-from-finland

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)

The Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) are both school programs that offer challenging courses recognized by universities around the world. They prepare you for higher education and are a good indication of a prospective student’s academic level. So what’s the difference between AP and IB?

AP is relatively widespread, and the IB program is rarer in general since schools have to be able to offer enough classes for the diploma to host an IB program. Adding IB is often more costly than starting a few AP classes.

The programs have different goals, as well. IB has more emphasis on writing and developing critical thinking skills – and not just on the exams themselves. The IB diploma requires the extended essay, a long, college-style research paper. The IB program also has extracurricular requirements.

In contrast, the AP is a program focused on teaching students specific content and testing their knowledge for the exams. There is more multiple-choice and emphasis on meeting certain content goals.

Colleges don’t automatically consider AP or IB harder or more impressive on a transcript. They do recognize that there are huge differences in how both AP and IB courses are taught and graded at high schools across the country.

Because of this, colleges – especially the most selective ones – just want to see you have taken the most challenging course load available at your high school. That means instead of worrying about AP versus IB, you should worry about taking the most rigorous classes your high school offers.

In most cases, if you earn a high passing score – for example a 7 on IB or a 5 on AP – you will get course credit.

But one thing to keep in mind is that while IB higher-level courses are usually accepted by colleges, standard-level IB courses aren’t always given credits. In contrast, AP is offered at one level, so if you take three higher-level IB courses and three standard-level IB courses as part of the diploma, you may end up with less credits than you would for the same six AP courses.

For more details, visit the website blog.prepscholar.com/whats-better-for-you-ib-or-ap