Additional Resources
This section contains a varied selection of resources that did not completely fit within our main sections, but that we found helpful and valuable for those looking into integrating digital games into their language classrooms, looking for additional information regarding requests both on a more traditional, non-gamified, level of pragmatic importance, but also on the more emergent gamified level.
Video Games for Language Learning article
This article discusses how video games can help learn a new language. It begins with a short introduction of the nature of video games, the different platforms one could utilize for a video game, and then transitions to the different genres of video games where one could use to learn language.
​
https://www.icls.edu/blog/video-games-help-people-to-learn-a-new-language
Creating Requests in English
This article is a very useful guide for English language learners by highlighting subtopics that can come with making requests. These subtopics include: making refusals, giving and accepting compliments, making and responding to apologies, and asking for clarification. Additionally, it includes practice activities, mini quizzes for students with an answer key, and attention to some grammar points such as verb tense.
​
Declining Requests
There may be a time that someone creates a request you are unable to fulfill. Thus, this article shows us several different ways to decline a request in a polite manner whether it's for work, an email, or a conversation with a friend. Some of the strategies they suggest include: apologizing first, mirroring their request, offering an alternative, and more.
​
English Speaking Lesson: how to make requests in English
This video walks us through how to make typical requests in English. It teaches students through mini dialogues how to use imperative requests, question requests, and how to make your requests more polite. It also explains how to accept and deny requests.
​
Making Requests with "Can" and "Could"
This video illustrates how to use the verbs “can” and “could” to make requests. It provides a story with multiple characters making requests and asking for help. It notes how to make requests more polite. Along with this, it breaks down the structure of requests so students can learn how to structure “can” and “could” request phrases.
​
Refusing Requests in English, Polite and Rude Forms
This videos explains multiple ways to refuse requests in US English. Most of these refusals begin with an apology or a regret to express remorse for not being able to do something. Then, multiple polite expressions are given to provide excuses as to why one cannot complete the request, or suggestions for completing the request for another time. Along with this, quicker, less polite refusals are also included. The videographer also explains when to use which kinds of refusals.
​
Refusing Requests and Invitations
This video speaks on what we should avoid doing when refusing requests, and what is acceptable as well. It dives into why we do not lie with excuses, and why we don’t simply say “I can’t”. Along with this, the video explains that refusing requests or invitations is very acceptable in the US and provides examples for what you can say to deny requests.
​
Indiana University Pragmatics and Discourse: Requests & Refusals
This website had a variety of pragmatic and discursive focused information about more general, as well as more specific functions. For this curation project, we would focus more on the request and refusal sections. There are overviews of the speech acts, as well as teaching guides and suggestions located within this website.
​
Games2Teach
This website is a great resource for educators who are looking to incorporate games in their language education practices. The site has a blog section; a section where educators can download classroom activities, informative publications, game evaluations, and professional development tools; and a section where users can explore and search a variety of games and gaming directories.
​
How to Teach Requests
This article is on the shorter side, but was written from a TEFL professional perspective and has some great advice and information surrounding teaching requests. They cover some of the common phrases/response sets, common issues that arise, and discuss a bit about how student’s L1 can interact with their requests in English.
​
https://www.englishclub.com/efl/tefl/functional/how-to-teach-requests/
5 Free Video Games That Support English Language Learners
This article on Edutopia provides a very interesting perspective on how five, seemingly non-language focused games, could be used to support English Language Learners. Some of their suggestions are focused around labeling within games, interactive feedback and support, and conversation, among others. It’s a great aid to help with brainstorming ideas on how to adapt games for the language classroom.
​
https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-free-video-games-support-english-language-learners/
Other Games That Involve Player Interaction (Reddit)
This resource can be used to find other online games for students that involve an extensive amount of player interaction. This can be useful if students want to play games where they can interact with Native English Speakers.
​
Games where I can interact with others players (but not necessarily MMORPGs) : r/gamingsuggestions
Game Suggestions to Help Others Learn English (Reddit)
Although these suggestions may be to learn English vocabulary, they can be used as a resource for additional games for students beginning their second language learning and looking for vocabulary skills when it comes to request-making. These games can assist students in learning the vocabulary necessary for requests in English.
​
Learn How to Ask to Borrow Something in English
This resource can be used to find examples of how to ask someone to borrow something of theirs. There are many examples listed here with a detailed description of the scenario and how to ask.
​
https://www.quora.com/How-can-someone-politely-ask-to-borrow-something-and-then-return-it-later
Requesting Money From a Friend
In the US, it is a very serious request to ask to borrow money from a friend. This website explains how to ask to borrow money politely, as well as how serious a large request for money can be. This is broken down into three parts with multiple steps in each part.
​