107114 - ENGLISH

Subject type: Basic

Coordinator: Juan José Pons López

Trimester: First term

Credits: 6

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 1

• English

This subject introduces the student to the world of video games and its terminology in English. The student prepares for future professional development in English: both written and oral communication. Students will have to write texts related to video games, develop their own video game concept and present it to the rest of the class and record a Let's Play Video with comments. 

There will also be additional activities to assimilate new vocabulary, videos and documentaries about the sector will be viewed and commented on, and grammar exercises such as fill the gaps, rephrasing, concordance, etc. will be carried out. The system of continuous evaluation will be used, that is to say, the final note of the student will depend to a large extent of the exercises and activities realized during the asignatura. It is not possible to pass this subject only by taking the final exam.

The classroom (physical or virtual) is a safe space, free of sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, either towards students or towards teachers. We trust that together we can create a safe space where we can make mistakes and learn without having to suffer prejudice from others. 

1. Game analysis (Game Reviews) - Reading comprehension - Written expression

1. Reading comprehension of video game articles
2. Assimilation of the part of grammar and basic phonetics that are relevant
3. Familiarization with the terminology and style used
4. Ability to adopt a critical attitude about the specific characteristics of a game
5. Improvement of the editorial level to carry out this type of writing

 2. Presentation of a video game project (Game Concept Presentation) - Oral expression

1. Writing and elaboration of the presentation of a video game project developed by the students themselves
2. Assimilation of environment-related terminology and vocabulary
3. Familiarization with the usual style and vocabulary used in this type of presentation
4. Improving basic knowledge on how to make an effective oral presentation
5. Improving written skills to prepare a presentation document, and oral skills for presentation
6. Conceptual art design to include in the presentation (optional)
7. Design of levels and characters to include in the presentation (optional)
8. Development and explanation of the history of the game, its mechanics, etc.
9. Ability to define and explain the history of the game, the genre, the mechanics, the characters, the monetization system, etc.
10. Ability to answer questions that other students may have at the end of the presentation

3. Interviews / Documentaries of the sector - Oral comprehension

1. Understanding of audiovisual content
2. Familiarization with the most common terminology in the video game industry
3. Knowledge of grammar and vocabulary to be able to communicate effectively in certain everyday situations and specific to the sector
4. Perception of the working reality of the video game industry

4. Let’s Play (LP) and other audiovisual material - Oral comprehension - Oral expression

1. Oral comprehension of different informal videos posted by players on YouTube about live game games and commented on simultaneously (Let's play)
2. Familiarization with a less conventional context and comparison with the styles found in game guides or reviews
3. Assimilation of jokes and more informal terminology: essential ingredients for making a viral LP
4. Assimilation of the grammar and vocabulary needed to be able to make and publish this type of recording
5. Assimilation of technical knowledge and use of software necessary to record and publish video on the Internet

The final grade of the course will be obtained from the following weighting:

A1. Exercise in class: Reading and analysis of reviews real 5%

A2. Work at home: Delivery of an original (critical) analysis 10%

A3. Work at home: Presentation of a video game project (Game Concept Presentation) 10%

A4. Exercise in class: Visualization and commentary of interviews / documentaries on referents of the sector 5%

A5. Exercise in class: Additional comprehension and oral expression activities 5%

A6. Exercise in class: Visualization of Let's Plays 5%

A7. Work at home: Creating a Let's play original 10%

A8. Final exam 50%

Final Note = A1 x 0.05 + A2 x 0.10 + A3 x 0.10 + A4 x 0.05 + A5 x 0.05 + A6 x 0.05 + A7 x 0.10 + A8 x 0.50

Considerations:

• You must obtain a grade higher than 5 in the final exam to pass the subject.

• An activity not delivered or delivered late and without justification (court summons or medical matter) counts as a 0.

• Any form of academic fraud will be sanctioned in accordance with the center's assessment regulations. If signs of fraud are detected, including the improper use of generative artificial intelligence tools, the subject's teaching staff may call the student for an individual interview with the aim of verifying their authorship.

Recovery

A grade higher than 5 must be obtained in the final retake exam to pass the subject. Activities carried out in class cannot be recovered, only unsubmitted homework will be allowed to be handed in. Submitted work cannot be retaken. The grade of the retake exam will be averaged with all of them with the same percentages.

Rules for carrying out the activities

• The only and vehicular language of this subject will be English and it will be used compulsorily both for teaching classes and for participating in class and carrying out the required activities without exception. It will also be used for any written communication with the teacher, both by email and by any other means. The repeated and intentional use of another language may be penalized.

Anthropy, Anna and Clark, Naomi (2014). Exploring the Foundational Principles Behind Good Game Design. Addison-Wesley Professional

Fernández-Vara, Clara. (2024). Introduction to Game Analysis. Routledge.

Hewings, M. (2005). Advanced grammar in use: a self-study reference and practice book for advanced learners of English; with answers. Ernst Klett Sprachen.

Adams, Ernest. (2014). Fundamentals of Game Design. Addison Wesley.

Bogost, Ian (2015). How to Talk about Videogames. University of Minnesota Press.

Egenfeldt-Nielsen, Simon, Heide Smith, Jonas, and Pajares Tosca, Susana. (2020). Understanding Video Games: The Essential Introduction. Routledge. 

Skolnick, Evan. (2014). Video Game Storytelling. Berkeley: Watson-Guptill Publications.

Taylor, TL (2018). Watch Me Play: Twitch and the Rise of Game Live Streaming. Princeton University Press.