Why Communicative Games Work for Adult English Learners
When people see “Communicative Games” on the 1-Day Domestic Immersion schedule, they might think:
“Isn’t that just… playing? Shouldn’t we be studying?”
I get it. Games feel recreational, not educational.
But here’s the truth: This isn’t about playing—it’s about creating situations where English becomes necessary.
I select activities designed for adults that simulate the real-world pressure of communicating without translation.
The Problem with “Safe” English Practice
In most English classes, the teacher asks: “How was your weekend?”
You answer: “It was good. I went shopping.”
The teacher smiles and moves on.
There’s no real communication happening. You knew the answer before you spoke. The teacher didn’t actually care about your weekend. You were just performing.
Your brain knows it’s safe. There are no stakes. So it doesn’t fully engage.
What Communicative Games Do Differently
Now imagine this: We’re playing Codenames Duet (a cooperative two-player game).
I give you a clue: “Ocean, 2.”
You have to figure out which two words on the board relate to “ocean”—and you have to explain your reasoning to me.
If you choose wrong, we both lose. If you can’t explain yourself clearly in English, I won’t understand what you’re thinking.
Suddenly, communication matters.
Your brain isn’t performing—it’s solving a problem. And to solve it, you need English.
At that moment, you stop being a “student” and start acting as a communicator.
Why Games Force Fluency
1. No Time to Translate
In a conversation class, you can pause to look up a word. In these activities, the timer is ticking or your partner is waiting. You have to find the words now.
This forces your brain to:
- Access English vocabulary directly
- Use approximation (“the thing you drink from” instead of “cup”)
- Prioritize clarity over perfection
You learn to communicate, not just conjugate.
2. Authentic Negotiation
Games require negotiation: “I think we should choose this card.” / “No, that’s too risky.”
This is real English—persuading, debating, and compromising, just like in business or daily life.
3. Lowered Self-Consciousness
When you focus on winning, you stop worrying about how you sound. That shift removes the mental block that keeps many learners silent.
Examples of Strategic Games
Since the 1-Day Immersion is one-on-one, all games are specifically selected for pairs.
Codenames Duet
Goal: Work cooperatively to find all target words using one-word clues. Teaches: Abstract thinking, descriptive language, and negotiation of meaning.
Spot It! (Dobble)
Goal: Be the first to name the matching symbol between two cards. Teaches: Rapid vocabulary retrieval and automaticity.
Photo Description
Goal: Describe a photo so your partner can identify it. Teaches: Precision, spatial language, and clarification skills.
Why This Works Better Than Textbook Exercises
| Textbook Approach | Communicative Game Approach |
|---|---|
| Fill in the blank: “I ___ to the store.” | “Tell me which card matches—explain why.” |
| Repeat: “Can I help you?” | “Describe this card so I can find it.” |
| Low stakes | High stakes (you want to succeed) |
| Self-conscious | Focused on the task |
Communicative games turn language into a tool for achieving goals. Your brain treats it differently.
Why This Is Part of the 1-Day Immersion
The Simulation Session is deliberately placed late in the day (15:45–17:15). By that point, you’ve been speaking English for 6+ hours. Your brain is in “English mode.”
The games push you to maintain that mode under fun pressure—the kind that makes learning stick.
If you want to learn English that you can actually use, you need practice that feels real. Sometimes, real practice looks like play.
Ready to experience it?