In the evolving landscape of language education, technology use is pivotal in fostering effective learning environments. This presentation delves into our book, Freedom to Play: Ludic Language Pedagogy, emphasizing technological literacy as a foundational skill for language teachers. We explore ‘ludic’ approaches to teaching — emphasizing innate playfulness — and how educators can harness it to enhance instruction.

Interest in play in education is growing, with many books published in the last five years. However, theoretical expositions surpass practical implementations, leaving questions: How can language teachers play with technology? Why should we? What are the potential outcomes?

We introduce a concept to create SPACE for teachers and students to experiment with technology toward gratifying experiences, sharing practical examples from our own teaching with generative AI, games, and other systems. Join us to discover how embracing a humanistic, play-based approach can transform teaching and enrich learning outcomes.