Jekyll2026-09-24T02:50:29+00:00http://llpjournal.org/feed.xmlLudic Language PedagogyAn open-access refereed journal dedicated to promoting innovative and thoughtful integrations of games and play in language teaching contexts. ISSN: 2435-2349 Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgAlan libert2026-09-20T00:00:00+00:002026-09-20T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/09/20/alan%20libertAlan Libert
Alan Libert

Lecturer in Linguistics, University of Newcastle, Australia Adjunct Professor, Khazar University, Azerbaijan Email: Alan.Libert@newcastle.edu.au

  • Ludic interests: conflict simulations
  • Language interests: Artificial languages, Turkic languages
  • Pedagogy interests: Linguistics

👨‍🏫 Profile

B.A. in Latin and Greek from New York University, Ph.D. in linguistics from McGill University, lecturer in linguistics at University of Newcastle, Australia since 1994, adjunct professor at Khazar University since 2023, currently living in Spain. My research areas include artificial languages (many books and papers), Turkic languages, word classes (especially adpositions), and onomastics.

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]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgMax Brooks2026-09-20T00:00:00+00:002026-09-20T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/09/20/max-brooksMax Brooks
Max Brooks

English Teacher, Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies Email: brooks@tc.nagasaki-ac.jp

  • Ludic interests: RPG, TRPG, Authentic Materials, Role-Playing Games
  • Language interests: English, Japanese, ESL
  • Pedagogy interests: Task-based learning, peer-teaching, grammar acquisition

👨‍🏫 Profile

I’m a Trinity-qualified English teacher with over ten years of experience teaching refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, business professionals from Italy, university students in Japan and everything in-between. I’m a huge fan of RPGs and wargaming and have used them to great effect in my classes. I’m currently investigating whether using wargames in the English classroom can help students learn prepositions of place.

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]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgSpeller, G. (2026). Designing an English learning game based on the ‘Key Characteristics of a Learning Game’ framework: An exploratory study of learner perceptions2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:002026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/09/16/speller-designing-english-game-kclg

Speller, G. (2026). Designing an English learning game based on the “Key Characteristics of a Learning Game” framework: An exploratory study of learner perceptions

Metadata

  • Author: Garrett Speller
  • Institution: Lakeland University Japan
  • Peer reviewers: Jonathan deHaan and James York
  • Volume and page numbers: 8 (p. 55 – 85)
  • Date of publication: 2026/09/16
  • Keywords: DGBLL, Game Design, Key Characteristics, TOEIC, Narrative frames

  • Email: gspeller@japan.lakeland.edu

  • Cite:

Speller, G. (2026). Designing an English learning game based on the “Key Characteristics of a Learning Game” framework: An exploratory study of learner perceptions. Ludic Language Pedagogy, 8, 55-85.

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KEY POINTS

  • Background: Ever since I became an assistant language teacher in Japan, I’ve had a deep interest in games and their potential uses in the classroom. In my master’s program, I wanted to see how far I could take this concept. I designed a video game, Adventures in Anglonia, and implemented it in the university classroom.
  • Aim: The aim of the study was to test student reception of game design utilizing the Key Characteristics of a Learning Game (KCLG) framework (Malone & Lepper, 1987).
  • Methods: By designing Adventures in Anglonia to include mechanics that align with the key components of a learning game and examining student perceptions regarding these mechanics, a picture is created of the reception of the KCLG approach—specifically, whether it is meeting the intentions of the design.
  • Results: Students understood and appreciated most of the mechanics associated with the variety of KCLG design decisions. They felt challenged by the game and that they were learning English. Students were also curious about both the exciting graphics and the fact that the game broke their expectations. Students were somewhat engaged in the fantasy experience, though it could have been better explained, and they appreciated the control they had over decisions in the narrative and in battle.
  • Conclusion: The design choices incorporated into Adventures in Anglonia were generally interpreted by students in ways consistent with the designer’s intentions, with most students responding positively to the game’s mechanics.

TWEET

Adventures in Anglonia was designed for language learners along the four dimensions of KCLG: Challenge, Curiosity, Fantasy, and Control. Did students notice them, and what did they think?

]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgJohnson, P. (2026). Playtesting a Graded Digital Roleplaying Game for Second Language Learning2026-08-31T00:00:00+00:002026-08-31T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/08/31/johnson-graded-rpgs

Johnson, P. (2026). Playtesting a Graded Digital Roleplaying Game for Second Language Learning

Metadata

  • Authors: Paul T. Johnson
  • Reviewed by: James York, Dilay Candan
  • Review status: Open peer reviewed
  • Volume and page numbers: 8 (pp. 39-54)
  • Date of publication: 2026/08/31
  • Keywords: Digital game-based language learning, DGBLL, graded readers, extensive reading, extensive RPGing, graded digital roleplaying games, graded digital RPG, word profiling, RPG Maker MZ
  • Cite:

Johnson, P. (2026). Playtesting a Graded Digital Roleplaying Game for Second Language Learning, Ludic Language Pedagogy, 8, 39-54. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_v8Pg2

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Resource

The demo of Just the Facts, the graded digital RPG discussed in this article, is available at https://sites.google.com/view/ie-edu/just-the-facts.

KEY POINTS

  • What is this? This is a report on the playtesting of a graded digital roleplaying game (RPG) for second language learning which I created using RPG Maker MZ.
  • Why did you make it? I wanted to provide my students with an alternative form of graded reading which takes advantage of the affordances of game-based language learning.
  • Who is it for? This is for teachers and students who are interested in digital extensive reading and game-based language learning, in particular, learning through gameplay of a digital RPG.

TWEET

This is a report on the playtesting of a graded digital roleplaying game (RPG) for second language learning which I created using RPG Maker MZ. #digitalgamelanguagelearning #gradedreaders #extensivereading #extensiveRPGing #gradeddigitalRPG #RPGMakerMZ

]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgMonica Howard2026-08-11T00:00:00+00:002026-08-11T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/08/11/monica-howardMonica Howard

Email: monicahoward@u.boisestate.edu

  • Ludic keywords: humor in SLA
  • Language keywords: German
  • Pedagogy keywords: Adult SLA, online learning, serious games and simulations

👨‍🏫 Profile

I’m an EdD in ed tech student at Boise State University. Games and fun have always been a part of my teaching toolkit and I’m looking to explore ways to incorporate them into online German language courses for adults.

]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgAnthony Gloria2026-07-18T00:00:00+00:002026-07-18T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/07/18/gloria-anthonyAnthony Gloria

Email: acgeducationco@gmail.com

  • Ludic keywords: game-based learning
  • Language keywords: pluriculturism, plurilanguaging
  • Pedagogy keywords: critical thinking

👨‍🏫 Profile

Los Angeles-born and Yokohama-based, my research has been based around game-based learning, plurilanguaging and pluriculturism, near-peer role modeling, critical thinking, and the arts.

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💬 Social connections

]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgvan der Velden, M. (2026). From page to play: exploring interactive fiction to boost reading and writing skills in the EFL classroom2026-07-07T00:00:00+00:002026-07-07T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/07/07/van-der-velden-interactive-fiction-zine

van der Velden, M. (2026). From page to play: exploring interactive fiction to boost reading and writing skills in the EFL classroom

Metadata

van der Velden, M. (2026). From page to play: exploring interactive fiction to boost reading and writing skills in the EFL classroom. Ludic Language Pedagogy, 8, 21-38. https://doi.org/10.55853/LLP_v8Pg1

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KEY POINTS

  • What is this? An eight-page zine, including names of online interactive fiction (IF) games and activities EFL teachers can use to work on reading and writing skills with their English language students.
  • Why did you make it? Since the spring semester of 2024 I use IF with my upper-intermediate students to improve reading and writing skills. I want to share the games and activities I use and encourage colleagues to use IF in the classroom; the zine includes everything they need to get started, making it easier to bring IF into their teaching.
  • Who is it for? Teachers who would like to work on reading and writing skills in a ludic way and who are not familiar with IF and/or may be reluctant to use IF with their students.
  • What’s next? Convincing my superiors to let me take this further and teach it as a full, semester-long course on its own.

Tweet synopsis

Make working on close reading skills and improving writing skills fun for your students by using interactive fiction (IF) and related language activities in the classroom. #DGBLL #digital literacy #EFL #GBLT #IF #LLP #zine

]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgSpecial Issue 01 - The Ludic You Love2026-07-01T00:00:00+00:002026-07-01T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/07/01/llp-special-edition-the-ludic-you-loveISSN: 2435-2349

The Ludic You Love cover

❤️ The Ludic You Love

Welcome to the special issue The Ludic You Love.

This collection brings together educators, researchers, and practitioners who share games, activities, texts, and playful experiences that have made a lasting impact on their teaching and learning. From board games and storytelling tools to digital games and creative classroom practices, each contribution explores a particular ludic object and reflects on its educational potential.

Together, these papers offer a snapshot of the diverse ways play continues to inspire language learning communities around the world.

We’d like to thank special issue editors Robb McCollum and Ken Tran for their hard work making this happen, James York for formatting, and Martin Sedaghat for the front cover artwork.

🎲 Contents

🐍 Snakes and Ladders: Roll, Reflect, Remix!

Jonathan deHaan

Read the paper

deHaan, J. (2026). Snakes and Ladders: Roll, Reflect, Remix! Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl01.

🎲 Rory’s Story Cubes: An Analog Storytelling Game Engine

Mark Johnson

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Johnson, M. (2026). Rory’s Story Cubes: An analog storytelling game engine. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 12–22. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl02.

🌙 Teaching Descriptive Adjectives Using Du Ký (Dream Adventure)

Trần Lê Khang

Read the paper

Trần, L. K. (2026). Teaching descriptive adjectives using Du Ký (Dream Adventure). Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 23–31. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl03.

👁️ Seeing Words Differently: Using Dobble for Vocabulary Learning

Monika van der Velden

Read the paper

van der Velden, M. (2026). Seeing words differently: Using Dobble for vocabulary learning. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 32–38. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl04.

🔵 Teaching Nouns Using Things in Rings and the Concept of Venn Diagram

Trần Lê Khang

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Trần, L. K. (2026). Teaching nouns using Things in Rings and the concept of Venn diagram. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 39–46. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl05.

🏀 Around the World: A Basketball-Inspired Language Game

Zachary Lubbers

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Lubbers, Z. (2026). Around the World: A basketball-inspired language game. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 47–50. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl06.

💰 Teaching Financial Literacy Using EZWorld

Trần Lê Khang

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Trần, L. K. (2026). Teaching financial literacy using EZWorld. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 51–60. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl07.

📖 Picture This: Wordless Picturebooks in the Language Classroom

Martin Sedaghat

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Sedaghat, M. (2026). Picture This: Wordless picturebooks in the language classroom. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 61–68. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl08.

✨ Story-asking: Imaginative, Co-created Stories

Diane Neubauer and Reed Riggs

Read the paper

Neubauer, D. & Riggs, R. (2026). Story-asking: Imaginative, co-created stories. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 69–74. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl09.

🗺️ Playing with Place

Donald Richardson

Read the paper

Richardson, D. (2026). Playing with place. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 75–80. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl10.

🌻 Wonder Flower: Planting Seeds of Life and Language in a Pixelated City

Erik X. Raj

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Raj, E. X. (2026). Wonder Flower: Planting seeds of life and language in a pixelated city. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 81–84. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl11.

🎭 “Take Your Heart”: Why Persona 5 Royal May Be the Best JRPG for Language Learning

Travis Compton

Read the paper

Compton, T. (2026). “Take Your Heart”: Why Persona 5 Royal may be the best JRPG for language learning. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 85–91. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl12.

🎮 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

James York

Read the paper

York, J. (2026). Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 92–105. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl13.

]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgJonathan deHaan - Snakes and Ladders: Roll, Reflect, Remix!2026-07-01T00:00:00+00:002026-07-01T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/07/01/ludic-you-love-01-snakes-and-ladders

Jonathan deHaan - Snakes and Ladders: Roll, Reflect, Remix!

This paper explores how a familiar board game can be reimagined for reflection, remixing, and language learning. It offers a playful way to connect game mechanics with classroom discussion and creative adaptation.

Metadata

deHaan, J. (2026). Snakes and Ladders: Roll, Reflect, Remix! Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl01

Download this paper

📥 Download the PDF here

You can also browse other papers in the special issue on this page.

]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.orgMark Johnson - Rory’s Story Cubes: An analog storytelling game engine2026-07-01T00:00:00+00:002026-07-01T00:00:00+00:00http://llpjournal.org/2026/07/01/ludic-you-love-02-story-cubes

Mark Johnson - Rory’s Story Cubes: An analog storytelling game engine

This paper explores how Rory’s Story Cubes can be used as a flexible, low-prep storytelling tool for language learning. It highlights how playful prompts can support creativity, collaboration, and classroom discussion.

Metadata

Johnson, M. (2026). Rory’s Story Cubes: An analog storytelling game engine. Ludic Language Pedagogy Special Issue: The Ludic You Love, 12–22. https://doi.org/10.55853/llp_lyl02

Download this paper

📥 Download the PDF here

You can also browse other papers in the special issue on this page.

]]>Ludic Language Pedagogycontact@llpjournal.org