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The uniqueness of gameplay
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Anderson, Jason (2015) The uniqueness of gameplay. English Teaching Professional, 96 (1). pp. 4-6. ISSN 1362-5276.
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Abstract
Can language use be simultaneously authentic and yet controlled? Is it possible to have meaningful communication between learners that still retains a linguistic focus? I believe the answer to both of these questions is yes, if we draw upon the unique features and qualities of gameplay to create a dual context for language use in the classroom. Among the many definitions of authenticity that have been invoked in language teaching, it is Henry Widdowson’s that resonates most meaningfully for me as a teacher. In his influential paper ‘Context, community, and authentic language’, Widdowson made the point that authenticity is not a quality of the materials we use, but a context-dependent interaction between individuals within a community, whether that be the face-to-face interaction of conversation, or the time-displaced interaction when we read a text or watch a TV programme. He identified three key features that are necessary prerequisites for language use to be considered authentic: context, a discourse community and ‘pragmatic functioning’, by which he means a purpose for using language.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||
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Subjects: | L Education > L Education (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Applied Linguistics | ||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | English Teaching Professional | ||||||
Publisher: | Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd | ||||||
ISSN: | 1362-5276 | ||||||
Official Date: | 1 January 2015 | ||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 96 | ||||||
Number: | 1 | ||||||
Page Range: | pp. 4-6 | ||||||
Status: | Not Peer Reviewed | ||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access |
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