This is a Gen.AI-powered activity centered around the theme of video games, which will certainly appeal to teenagers. Students will read descriptions and reviews of video games and engage in discussions about them.
I will be using ChatGPT to, first of all, create the materials that I will later use in class. My first prompt is as follows: I want to buy or rent a video game. Provide a detailed, ranked list of 5 suggestions. For each suggestion, include an 80-word description of what the game is about and a 1-5 star rating. The target reader is an upper-intermediate student of English. Include vocabulary, collocations and language chunks related to video games that are useful for a language learner at that level.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Rating: ★★★★★
- Description: In this open-world adventure, players guide Link through the vast kingdom of Hyrule, uncovering ancient secrets, solving puzzles, and battling enemies to save Princess Zelda. With breathtaking landscapes and endless exploration, Breath of the Wild emphasizes “open-ended exploration” and “strategic combat.” Known for its “immersive gameplay” and “detailed environment,” this game is ideal for those who enjoy fantasy storytelling combined with adventure and discovery.
2. Red Dead Redemption 2
- Rating: ★★★★★
- Description: This action-adventure game immerses players in the American West, following outlaw Arthur Morgan on a journey filled with moral choices and challenges. With realistic graphics and a strong narrative, Red Dead Redemption 2 features “dynamic environments,” “character-driven storytelling,” and “open-world realism.” Players can engage in “wild west adventures,” from hunting to heists, and interact with NPCs to influence the storyline. Perfect for those who love intense storytelling and “open-world immersion.”
3. Hades
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Description: Hades is a fast-paced rogue-like game where players guide Zagreus, son of Hades, as he attempts to escape the underworld. Each run is unique, combining “action-packed combat” with mythological elements. With powerful “character upgrades” and “adaptive storyline,” it keeps gameplay fresh and challenging. Known for its “rewarding difficulty” and “memorable characters,” Hades is suited for players who enjoy “repeatable gameplay” with an evolving storyline.
4. Stardew Valley
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Description: In this relaxing farming simulation game, players manage a farm, raise animals, grow crops, and build relationships with villagers. Stardew Valley promotes “resource management” and “community-building,” offering plenty of “customization” and a “casual pace.” With events that change by season and various mini-games, it’s great for fans of “life-simulation games.” It’s ideal for those who enjoy slower-paced, relaxing gameplay and enjoy language around farming and crafting activities.
5. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Description: This fantasy RPG follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter on a quest to find his missing ward. Known for its rich storyline, The Witcher 3 combines “open-world exploration” with “choice-driven narrative,” where your actions influence the game’s outcome. With vast landscapes, “character development,” and a range of side quests, it’s an excellent choice for fans of fantasy and action. Great for building vocabulary around quests, character interactions, and combat strategy.
This is my second prompt for a second batch of class materials: Now I want you to create 5 different video games that haven’t been made yet. Be very creative and think outside the box. The games should be fun to play, action-packed, and highly appealing to teenagers. For each suggestion, include an 80-word description of what the game is about and a 1-5 star rating. The target reader is an upper-intermediate student of English. Include vocabulary, collocations and language chunks related to video games that are useful for a language learner at that level.
1. Neon Street Runners
- Rating: ★★★★★
- Description: Set in a futuristic metropolis, players join an elite parkour gang competing in high-stakes street races. With neon-lit skyscrapers as their playground, players must “dodge obstacles,” “slide under barriers,” and “perform gravity-defying stunts” to win. Neon Street Runners combines “fast-paced action” with “team-based strategy,” allowing you to customize characters and unlock new moves. The game’s thrilling atmosphere, intense gameplay, and “immersive cityscape” make it a perfect choice for those who love urban action.
2. Monster Clash Arena
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Description: In this arena brawler, players become mythical beasts battling for dominance. Choose your creature—from fire-breathing dragons to shape-shifting werewolves—and compete in wild, action-packed arenas. The game emphasizes “combat combos,” “special abilities,” and “team tactics.” Monster Clash Arena includes “real-time multiplayer battles” and “unique character progression,” allowing players to evolve and gain new powers. For teens who enjoy fantasy and competitive gameplay, it’s an exciting blend of strategy and pure action.
3. Galactic Skater
- Rating: ★★★★★
- Description: Set in a galaxy of floating cities, Galactic Skater is an adrenaline-fueled space-skating game where players race through cosmic tracks, “grinding rails” and “catching air” across asteroids and alien landscapes. The game is packed with “high-speed chases” and “intergalactic tournaments,” with rewards for pulling off the wildest stunts. With customizable boards and characters, it’s ideal for teens who love sci-fi and extreme sports. The fast-paced gameplay and “otherworldly graphics” make it unforgettable.
4. Underworld Heist
- Rating: ★★★★☆
- Description: In this heist-based action game, players lead a gang through the dark underworld of a sprawling city. Each mission requires “stealth tactics,” “strategic planning,” and “split-second decisions” as players navigate heavily guarded locations. Underworld Heist offers “intense shootouts,” “escape sequences,” and “character upgrades” as you climb the ranks to become the city’s top crime boss. With co-op options and a complex storyline, it’s perfect for teens craving high-stakes action and gritty challenges.
5. Cyber Ninja Warfare
- Rating: ★★★★★
- Description: This futuristic ninja game drops players into an AI-controlled city full of cyber-enemies and hidden threats. As a cyber ninja, players “slice through opponents,” “dodge lasers,” and “hack into security systems” to complete missions. Cyber Ninja Warfare focuses on “close-combat techniques” and “stealth maneuvers” with an upgrade system for weapons and abilities. Packed with “intense combat sequences” and a “cyberpunk atmosphere,” it’s an action-filled game ideal for those who love sci-fi and martial arts.
Now it’s time to copy, paste and print the reading materials. Make one copy of the first batch for each student, and then make copies of the second batch and cut out each game description individually so that each student gets one game description.
In class, meet your students and introduce the topic with a lead-in task. For instance, we can think of some conversation questions related to video games or do a Google search on ‘most popular videogames’, then click on ‘Images’ to look at the photos and discuss those games.
Then we are going to give the students the first handout with the video game reviews and allow enough time for them to read them. Do they know those games? Have they ever played them? Would they play them? Do they sound appealing? Do they agree with ChatGPT’s rating? If they had to include their own review, which game would they add, and which game from the list would they remove?
Then we are going to set up groups of 3-5 students and give each student a different review from the ones generated with the second prompt. They will have a minute or two to read them in silence and then explain what the games are about in their own words to the other students in their group. We should circulate, help them with vocabulary, and also invite them to use paper or online dictionaries when needed.
Finally, in plenary mode again, they can share their opinions about the games concocted by ChatGPT, whether they would be worth playing and how many stars they think the games should get.
As a follow-up, we could assign a writing or speaking task where students write about video games or record themselves talking about video games.
This activity is also adaptable to other topics such as books, movies, things to do in cities, adventure parks, or extreme sports, for instance.
AI in ELT 