I recently received Barnga: a simulation game on cultural clashes. I had oredered it from Amazon for my intercultural communication class but now I'm thinking about returning it.
Initially I was insulted that they actually charged money for this. All you get are 6 or so different sets of rules to a simple card game. The differences include trump suits and ace-high or ace-low.
Students get into groups and play their version of the game. Then switch to a new group game with different rules. They cannot read the rules or speak to each other though non verbal communication is allowed. Students become frustrated as you ahve people playing the same cards by different rules and are unable to discuss the differences.
This is supposed to demonstrate how different cultures operate under different rules, but I wonder if students really need a card game to understand this. I think they already know.
Posted by James Trotta at September 2, 2005 5:05 AMI like very much your blog. I'll read it all day.
Posted by: maria augusta at September 6, 2005 2:19 AMJames:
Can you give me an example or two of the rules that each group gets?
Pnina
I do not have time to give advice to people ,but I have used Barnga with one hundred of groups , and I can tell you that it's a fantastic tool.
Try it once, and follow the instructions...do not forget your basic knowledge of cultural diversity that you will use to ask relevant questions ...and make it interesting
Yeah, Barnga! We played this game in our ICC class this semester. It was really fun. :)
Posted by: Hanna at December 7, 2006 1:51 AMESL blog is one of many Blogs for learning English & teaching English. Translation services information.