E 183. The Surprising Way Board Games Can Boost Your Language Skills!

The episode features a conversation with Emma Cobb, the designer of Dialox, an Italian language card game that combines language learning and game design. Emma shares her journey and experiences that led her to develop this game, as well as the challenges and successes she encountered during the process. The game is designed to make language learning fun and engaging, with a focus on practical scenarios like ordering in a restaurant and asking for directions. Emma shares her journey of creating a language learning game, and the challenges she faced in playtesting and refining the game. She discusses the educational and social aspects of the game, as well as the potential impact on language learning. The conversation also delves into the Kickstarter project for 'Dialox' and the unique approach to language learning through tabletop games.TakeawaysLanguage learning through gamesCombining language learning and game design Language learning through tabletop gamesChallenges of playtesting and refining a language learning gameEducational and social aspects of 'Dialogues'The potential impact of 'Dialogues' on language learningUnique approach to language learning through tabletop gamesChapters00:00 The Challenge of Language Learning03:16 First Board Game Experience05:22 Inspiration for Language Learning Game09:10 Tackling Grammar in a Card Game15:19 Speaking a Foreign Language in a Game19:28 Expanding Scenarios and Languages23:05 Evolution from Board Game to Card Game31:18 Expanding to Spanish and French Versions31:46 Creating 'Dialogues' and Playtesting Challenges33:45 Transition to 'Dialogues' as it Exists Currently35:14 Influence of Culture and Language Selection39:10 Tackling Colloquialisms and Language Variations42:23 The Role of Tabletop Games in Language Learning52:24 The Future of Educational Games and Language Learning58:28 Kickstarter Project and Stretch Goals