I'll be presenting the following research orientated short presentation at the at the Task-Based Language Teaching in Asia 2024 conference. I look forward to connecting with fellow researchers and practitioners of task-based language learning instruction.

Title: Engaging Students in TBLT through Tabletop Role-Playing Games: The 2nd Year of a Pilot Program

50 Word Summary:
The presenter will present the results of the second year of case-study using tabletop role-playing games with university students in a language learning space. In addition to the how, why and results of the study, how TBLT methodology manifests through tabletop role-playing games will be discussed.

300 Word Abstract:
In this presentation, I will present a case study of the second year of a university program implementing tabletop role- playing games (TTRPGs) as a language learning activity in a language learning space offered by the university for students to improve their English as a foreign language. A primary goal of a TTRPG is to create a shared fantasy world through conversation between a game facilitator and a group of players. To illustrate and resolve in-world conflicts, the facilitator poses problems which require solving. The actions of the player's characters are enacted through role-playing their characters through the scenarios in which their players are attempting to solve these problems. The process by which TTRPGs are played gives players chances to enact all five of the core TBLT types (Pica, Kanagy, & Falodun, 1993; Jackson, 2022) and stay engaged in these tasks longer than a typical university learning session. In addition to having students engage in these language learning tasks contained within the TTRPG activity, two additional aims of the second year of the program were to (1) increase attendance though demonstrating the activity to students in their required classes and (2) increase engagement with extensive reading through gamebooks available in the language learning space.
After a brief overview of the TTRPG program, I will report the results of the post-activity survey administered to the students who attended the activity in the language learning space as well as with the students who participated in the in-class demonstration. In addition, I will illustrate examples of core types of task-based teaching methodology which manifest through TTRPGs. Finally, I will discuss the implications for how task-based teaching methodology can be delivered through TTRPGs.

Task-Based Language Teaching in Asia 2024 will be located at Meijo University Nagoya Dome-Mae Campus from July 5th to 7th, 2024.

https://tblsig.org/conference/
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