| Abstract |
Speak-on-the-Blocks or #SOTB consists of 45 wooden blocks imprinted with
strips of speaking tasks that enables players to not only stack up the blocks
but at the same time, to practise speaking skills in an engagingly fun way.
Players take turns to remove a block then complete a speaking task before
stacking it up crossway on the top layer of the block and the game ends
when the tower of blocks topples down. What makes #SOTB unique is its
two-in-one concept that allows players to play the game in two different
ways via a) #SOTB – speaking strategies, oral odyssey, topic trail and brain
buzz, or b) story-chain. The various speaking tasks which are categorized
and labelled according to #SOTB, give players the opportunity to enhance
their proficiency in using the language, while the words for story-chain are
aptly selected from the Oxford 3000 Wordlist, which are deemed imperative
in English language learning because of its importance and usefulness.
#SOTB does not only revolve around game mechanics but it is also a mental
game that requires active thinking while playing the game. Part of the
novelty lies in the combination of speaking tasks and the element of games
in optimizing maximum participation to motivate players’ engagement. The
viability of utilizing #SOTB among English language learners is seen as a
key factor for successful commercialization as there are no block-stacking
games in the market that puts language practice and challenge together in a
game. Having a game that is exploratory and experiential in nature does not
only provide challenge to players but it also amplifies the effect of
meaningful learning. As players struggle to balance the blocks from toppling
down, they also attempt to achieve proficiency in speaking the English
language. |