I'll be presenting the following practice based presentation at the Japan Association for Self-Access Learning's national conference for 2024. The JASAL 2024 National Conference will be held at Soka University in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan on October 26th from 9:00 to 18:00.

Title: Tabletop Role-Playing Games in a Language Learning Space

Summary: The presenter has been facilitating tabletop role-playing games in the language learning space of a SALC for two years. The aim of the activity is to give students a chance to experience an activity that is popular around the world. This activity requires participants to exchange ideas and make cooperative decisions to solve problems presented by the facilitator. In the context of how the language learning space is organized, attendees will learn about tabletop role-playing games, how they are used in the center, and a description of which students have participated and what they have thought about the activity.

Abstract: A perennial problem encountered by facilitators of self-access centers is how to provide resources for students to improve their interpersonal and international communication skills.

Tabletop role-playing game clubs have become common in secondary schools and universities in English native speaking countries. The author has taken tips and experiences from these teachers and librarians and instituted the Open Table of Tabletop Role-Playing Games program in a language learning space at a university foreign language center. The aim of the program is to give students a chance to experience a conversation activity which has potential for language learning through the precepts of TBLT. In addition to the benefits of engaging in tabletop role-playing games with other non-native students, there is the potential for students to join other native and non-native speakers who regularly play these games online, when they travel on homestay programs, and at a variety of user facilitated games worldwide.

For the past two and one-half years, the author facilitated the program and collected feedback from the students who have participated in the Open Table program. At the beginning of this 25 minute session, the author will describe the center where the language learning space is housed. Next, benefits of tabletop role-playing games for language learning will be described and followed with procedures the author has followed for facilitating the activity. Before opening the floor to discussion, the author will enumerate which students have participated in the program and summarize their feedback over the first two years of the program.

I look forward to seeing you there!