Improvement Mechanism on Practicing German Spoken Language — Using Game Learning Tools as an Example

Yung-Chuan Ma, I-Wen Chang

(National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, Taiwan)

Abstract: The purpose of this study is identifying the current learning environment of German language learners in Taiwan and create an alternative way of practicing German using Game Learning Mechanism, creating an interactive way between learners and increasing their opportunities to practice their oral ability. This study follows the principle of Design Thinking process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test. In this study a board game is developed that enhances the learner’s oral capabilities and improvisation. The board game is designed following the game mechanism and is based on various interviews and surveys of German learners, teachers and board game designers in Taiwan, defining the advantages and the current absence in German oral speaking board game. The test results show that learners of the German language have improved on applying grammar in their oral conversations, oral speaking capabilities and increased their motivation for learning German. However, the process of difficulty setting and scoring mechanism of game cards still needs to be adjusted, with difficulty of scoring system have reduced few learners’ participation motivations. For maintaining participation motivations, the board game design will be further adjusted and improved on.

Key words: language learning, design thinking, learning tools, game-based learning, action research, board
games design