The Space Lesson
A couple of weeks ago, one of my English lessons took place in space… kind of. One of my students, a really talented and creative boy, asked me what computer games I enjoy playing. We talked and found a couple of titles we both enjoy. One of them was a space game, No Man’s Sky. This is where the idea was born. A week later, at our next meeting, we didn’t connect through a virtual classroom; instead, we woke up on a spaceship headed towards an unexplored exoplanet.
The Goal
After we had landed on the planet’s surface, we began analysing the conditions and mapping the area to find the best spot for a makeshift settlement, which was the primary goal of our expedition. During these tasks, we had to work together and watch each other’s backs for hostile alien life and monitor the weather conditions. The mission was challenging, but worth it!
Why Not a Regular Lesson
Sometimes the best classroom isn’t a typical classroom at all. During our space mission, we had a rule: no matter what, English only. That meant using very topic-specific vocabulary, tools, technology, materials, measurements and tasks, all in real time. When language becomes a tool for action and fun, learning really takes off.
