Freedom to Play

This book empowers language and literacy teachers and researchers by framing teaching as the use of S.P.A.C.E. within constraints to create "playgrounds" where everyone can engage. It enhances readers’ ludic, language, and pedagogical literacies, encouraging them to play, learn, apply, and seek more. Drawing from decades of successful teaching and research, the book balances theory, research, and practice while critiquing gamification and game-based learning—advocating instead for genuine ludic approaches. It includes two rigorous courses to help readers design lesson plans and evaluate their teaching. Playful elements such as memes, jokes, anecdotes, and reflections on both successes and failures make the book engaging and relatable. With a humanistic approach that prioritizes teachers and students over technology, the book is also inclusive, offering ludic language pedagogy examples for diverse contexts. Additionally, it bridges the research-practice divide and integrates support from a dedicated community.

"From interactive strategies to playful techniques, this book is your passport to a rich adventure of literacy teaching. Whether you are a teacher or researcher, prepare to be inspired and entertained as you discover the intersection of play and games, literacy and language education. With tons of practical details, this is a perfect guide for teachers to find SPACE for their students to play!"

—Matthew Farber, Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado; author, Gaming SEL.

"Freedom to Play provides an engaging – and intrinsically playful – practical guide for language educators (and teachers more generally) looking to create more gratifying experiences in their classrooms. Underpinned by personal reflection and theory, this guide provides an accessible and convincing introduction to the value of playful learning."

—Nicola Whitton, Professor of Digital Learning and Play, Northumbria University, UK

Jonathan deHaan is an Associate Professor at the University of Shizuoka who views life through a literacy lens. He applies his experiences and insights about games, play, language, and life to his teaching. Formerly an advocate of video games he now focuses on creating meaningful learning experiences through his "Game Terakoya" playground.

James York is a teacher and researcher at Meiji University, Tokyo, specializing in the intersection of games, play, and education. As the founder of York Game Lab, he designs and publishes games that blend learning and entertainment. James is also an avid gamer who enjoys playing titles like Super Smash Bros. with his son and takes pride in accomplishments such as completing Towerfall Ascension on Legendary difficulty.