GB2390034A

GB2390034A - Board game for learning foreign languages

Info

Publication number: GB2390034A
Application number: GB0214434A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Robertson Ainsley; Stephen Laurence Foster
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-22
Filing date: 2002-06-22
Publication date: 2003-12-31
Also published as: GB0214434D0

Abstract

A game apparatus comprises a board or a graphical depiction of a board with a track marked on the board which is divided into a plurality of segments, a playing piece for each player, a random number generator to determine the number of segments moved along the track by the playing pieces during play and a plurality of sets of cards. The cards in each set contain questions relating to a particular foreign language and include words or phrases to be translated into that language. Each set is associated with at least one segment of the track, such that when a player lands on that segment a card from the set of cards associated with it is used to ask the player a question. A plurality of topics or "day trips" are carried at random throughout at least one of the sets of cards, such that in the event of the question on a card from the said at least one set being answered correctly the topic marked on it can be collected. The game may be played in two stages with each stage being played on a separate track.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"A GAME"

The present invention relates to a game apparatus.

5 According to Me present invention there is provided a game apparatus comprising a board or a graphical depiction of a board, there being a track marked on the board, the track being divided into a plurality of segments, one of which defines the start of the track, a playing piece for each player, a random number generator to determine the number of segments moved along the track by the playing pieces during play, a plurality 10 of sets of cards, the cards in each set containing questions relating to a particular language and including words or phrases to be translated into that language, and each set being associated with at least one segment of the track, such that when a player lands on that segment a card from the set of cards associated with it is used to asked the player a question, means for supplying the correct answers to each of the questions' and a 15 plurality of topics or "day trips", which topics are also carried at random throughout at least one of the sets of cards, such that in the event of the question on a card from the said at least one set being answered correctly the topic marked on it can be collected.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the game apparatus comprises six sets of cards. Five of these sets contain questions relating to the geographical area 20 depicted which must be answered by the players to progress through the game and ultimately to win it. The sixth contains instructions to the played which they must follow. Of the five sets containing questions, at least one of these contains relatively

simple questions. Conveniently the six sets of cards fall under the following headings: a) Welcome to ---

b) I Love -----

c) Hotel 5 d) Shopping e) Out For The Day f) An Evening Out and segments of the track corresponding to each of these sets are marked up accordingly.

The cards in the "I Love -" set contain instructions to the players. Those in 10 the "Welcome to -----" contain simple questions. Those in the four remaining sets contain questions relating to these activities and obviously these may be substituted with questions on alternative topics or aspects.

The game is played in two stages with questions from the or each set containing the relatively simple questions only being asked during the first phase. By answering a 15 predetermined number of these questions correctly a player is able to progress to the second phase ofthe game. Preferably, on answering a question correctly a player is also able to collect tokens which represent points or preferably money.

Preferably, the segments of the track corresponding to the "Welcome to ----" set of cards are paired with or run parallel with the segments corresponding to the other sets 20 of cards containing questions i.e. sets (c) to (f) as identified above. However, the track may take the form of a figure of eight with the first stage of the game being played on one loop and the second stage played on the other.

The rules of the game may provide that on answering a question card correctly the player keeps that card and further, that on completing each circuit of the track, that is to say on passing the "Start" segment, is asked the questions on all the cards collected again to obtain additional tokens.

S Having completed the first stage of the game by answering the requisite number of questions from the "Welcome to " set the player progresses to the second stage in which questions from the other sets are asked. By answering the question on a card from one of these sets correctly the player is able to collect the day trip identified on that card.

This may be signified by marking the collected day trip offs play sheet listing all the day 10 trips or by picking out a card matching the collected day trip.

In a preferred embodiment of the game the players may agree a predetermined number of the total number of day trips available which must be obtained to win the game and each player may even be required on starting the game to identify which of the available day trips he or she will collect to make up that number. In this event it is 15 envisaged that the players will not be informed of the day trip carried by a card unless they answer the question on it correctly. Thus the incentive is to answer all questions put to a player correctly in order to eventually collect all of ones specified day trips.

It is also envisaged that the players may have to purchase the cards on which they have answered correctly using the tokens collected in the first stage of the garne.

20 Additional segments may be included around the track which provide for missed turns, additional tokens, the opportunity to exchange unwanted day trips with other players and the purchase of a day trip without having to obtain a question card marked

with that day trip.

Having collected together all or the requisite number of day trips a player must then answer correctly all of the cards collected during both the first and second stages of the game to win it. If he fails in this he may be required to miss turns or to complete 5 another circuit of the track before attempting to answer them all correctly again.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows the playing board and each of the six sets of cards used to play the garne.

Referring to the drawing it will be seen that the board depicts Spain. It may be 10 assumed therefore that the questions to be asked relate to Spain and to the Spanish language. Players learn Spanish words and phrases by answering multiple-choice questions asked by a playing partner from cards picked up during the game according to their position on the board at that point. A player who answers the question correctly retains the card, and has to answer the same questions later in order to progress in the 1 5 game.

The game works in two stages which for consistency with the game concept a holiday around the country depicted - are referred to as "Week I " and "Week 2."

In Week 1, players are required to answer questions on Spain and the Spanish language. By answering correctly they earn points or tokens represented by peseta 20 banknotes. In Week 2, players can buy cards representing different types of day trip by answering more questions on Spain and the Spanish language correctly and by paying an

appropriate amount of money, according to their position on the board. The object of the game is to collect all or a predetermined number of the day trips available. Where the players elect to collect a predetermined number the players may be required to identify at the start of the game which day trips they will collect to make up that number. It is 5 envisaged that the game will comprise 14 day trips in total and that the players will collect 7 of these. The 7 to be collected are listed at the beginning of the game so that they can be matched off and the winner of the game is the first to collect all the day trips specified on their list and then correctly recall the answers to the questions on all the cards in their possession.

10 The 14 day trips are 1. Glass bottomed boat, 2. Flamenco concert; 3. Jet skiing, 4. Cycle ride; 5. Car hire; 6. Old town; 7. Tapas bar; 8. Restaurant; 9. Bullfight; 10.

Football match; 11. Disco; 12. Coach tour; 13. Sherry factory; 14. The beach, though it should be obvious that others may be specified.

The game provides for unwanted day trips to be exchanged with over players for 15 those required. The game also provides for unobtained day trips to be matched off without actually collecting a question card representing that day trip.

The board shown in the drawing defines a circular playing track which is divided into 32 segments. It will be seen that the majority of these are divided into two with one half containing the legend "Welcome", and the other half containing one of the legends 20 "Hotel", "Day Out", "Evening Out" and "Shopping". It will be understood that during Week 1, questions from the "Welcome to Spain" cards are asked and during Week 2 questions from the "Hotel", " Out for the Day", "Shopping" or "An Evening Out" cards

are asked. Players move playing pieces around the track in turn according to the throw of a single die.

The 32 squares are marked in sequence as follows: 1. Cambio/Aeropuerto 5 2. Hotel/Welcome To Spain 3. Out For The Day/Welcome To Spain 4. I Love Spain 5. An Evening Out/Welcome To Spain 6. Shopping/Welcome To Spain 10 7. At The Hotel/Welcome To Spain 8. Spanish Market 9. Siesta 10. An Evening Out/Welcome To Spain 11. Out For The Day/Welcome To Spain 15 12. At The Hotel/Welcome To Spain 13. Shopping/Welcome To Spain 14. I Love Spain 15. Out For The Day/Welcome To Spain 16. An Evening Out/Welcome To Spain 20 17. Spanish Market 18. At The Hotel/Welcome To Spain 19. Out For The Day/Welcome To Spain

20. Shopping/Welcome To Spain 21. An Evening Out/Welcome To Spain 22. I Love Spain 23. At The Hotel/Welcome To Spain 5 24. Out For The Day/Welcome To Spain 25. Spanish Market 26. Shopping/Welcome To Spain 27. At The Hotel/Welcome To Spain 28. An Evening Out/Welcome To Spain 10 29. Siesta 30. Out For The Day/Welcome To Spain 31. 1 Love Spain 32. Travel Shop The square following No. 32 is No. 1 again.

15 In the centre of the board is a map of Spain with cartoons in each region, up to several dozen in all, representing the speciality or character associated with that region.

For example, Seville is illustrated by a flamenco dancer; Costa Blanca by a beach with sunbathers; Barcelona by the Gaudi Cathedral; and so on.

Also in the centre of the board are six areas for the placement of the six sets of 20 cards to be used during the game. In addition to the sets mentioned above there is also a set entitled "I Love Spain" which contain directions to players. It will be seen that located in the track are segments carrying the same legend and when a player lands on

one of these a card from this set is picked up.

The cards in the remaining five categories catty multiple-choice questions on Spain or the Spanish language. Each of the cards in the categories "An Evening Out", " Shopping", "Out For The Day" and "At The Hotel" also carry the name of one of 14 5 day trips referred to above.

Also on the board is an area representing the bank, for storing the peseta banknotes not currently held by players.

Before starting, each player takes a form printed to representing a passport. The form requires the player to fill in their name, date of playing the game, and to choose and 10 write down the seven day trips from the list of 14 printed on the form. These 14 day trips are those which appear on the cards mentioned above. The object is to collect cards representing these seven day trips during the game by answering questions in Spanish.

As an alternative to the printed form a wallet representing a passport may be used, which contains the 14 represented trips, of which the player chooses 7 to be played in 15 another area in the wallet these are the trips which the player will endeavour to match with the trips represented on the cards.

The cards in the six categories are placed face down in piles on the appropriate areas on the board.

Each player selects a playing token and places it on square No. I, the Aeropuerto.

20 Players start out initially with no money. Each player moves in turn by shaking one die and moving that number of squares clockwise round the board. Two or more players may land on the same square.

In Week 1 each player must complete at least one circuit of the board. During this stage of the game only questions from the "Welcome To Spain" cards may be answered and if answered correctly collected. Conveniently, every time a player lands on a "Welcome To Spain" square, the player to their immediate right picks up the next 5 "Welcome To Spain" card from that pile and asks the player who landed on the square the question on the card. If the answer is incorrect the card is replaced at the bottom of the pack. If the answer is correct the player answering keeps the card and takes lOOO pesetas from the bank.

In Week 1 the segments marked Spanish Market and Travel Shop are not in use 1 O and therefore when Landed on the player shakes the die again.

During Week 1 if a player lands on an I Love Spain segment the player takes the next card from the I Love Spain pile of cards and fallows its instructions. The player then replaces the cards face down at the bottom of the pile from which it came.

If a player lands on a "Siesta" segment nothing happens.

15 It will be understood that because these segments are not in play in Week 1 they can be used to denote a "Welcome to Spain" segment, such that on landing on one a question from this set of cards is asked.

Week 1 can be completed by a player when he or she has made sufficient circuits of the track and/or collected the predetermined number of "Welcome to Spain" questions.

20 This first stage of the game is completed by the player being asked again all the questions on the cards they have collected. For each question answered correctly, that player takes a predetermined amount, typically l OOO pesetas, from the bank and proceeds to Week 2.

Once a player has entered Week 2 the four sets of cards titled "Hotel" "Out for the Day", "Shopping" and "An Evening Out" are used by that player; other players may still be in their Week 1 and continue playing using the "Welcome to Spain" cards until they enter their own Week 2.

5 In Week 2 each time a player lands on an 'At the Hotel', 'Out for the Day', 'An Evening Out' or 'Shopping' segment the player to their right takes the next card from the top of the pile for that category and asks the player who just landed on the square the question on the card. If the player answers incorrectly, the card is replaced face down at the bottom of the pile from which it came. If the player answers correctly, they may (but 10 are not obliged to) pay 2,000 pesetas to the bank in order to keep the card. The card has the name of a day trip on it. The identity of the day trip is unknown to the buyer before purchase. It may or may not be one of the player's specified personal choices.

Some cards are marked 'Any day trip'. These count as any day trip of the purchaser's choice. A player holding a card marked with this may change the day trip 15 they represent at any point in the game. These cards remain with their original purchaser throughout the game. They cannot be exchanged in the 'Spanish Market' (see below).

If a player lands on an 'I Love Spain' square, the player takes the next card from the I Love Spain pile of cards and follows its instructions as they did during Week 1. The player then replaces the cards face down at the bottom of the pile from which it came.

20 If a player lands on a 'Siesta' square, nothing happens.

When a player passes Cambio, or lands on the square itself (but not at the start of the game) the player to their right takes all the Week 2 cards held by the player who has

just landed on or passed Cambio. The player who has taken the cards asks all the questions again. If the player who has just landed on or passed the Cambio answers all correctly, that player takes a bonus from the bank for each correctly answered question.

After all the questions have been asked, the cards are returned to the player who had them 5 originally. In Week 2 only, if a player lands on a 'Spanish Market' square, that player has the opportunity to exchange an unwanted day trip (that is, a card from the An Evening Out, Shopping, Out for the Day, or At the Hotel categories) with another player for one required. The player who landed on the Spanish Market square can ask one of the other 10 players if they have a specific day trip. They can continue to ask the nominated player for day trips until they find one they want. At that point the player can attempt to answer the question on that card and if the question is answered correctly the nominated player must give up the card. However, any cards marked 'Any day trip' are not included under the "Spanish Market" arrangement.

I 5 Also in Week 2 only, if a player lands on the 'Travel Shop' square, that player may take one card from the top of any of the 'Hotel', 'Out for the Day', 'Evening Out' or 'Shopping' piles. The player on their right asks them the question on the card. If it is answered correctly, the player answering may pay 2,000 pesetas to retain the card.

However, it does not have to count as the day trip marked on the card. The player 20 keeping it can count this card as any day trip of their choice. However, once specified, the new day trip represented by the card cannot be changed, and its new value applies only to the first holder of the card. The player with the card must write down the new

I; day trip represented by the card on their passport. In the case of an exchange with a player who has landed on the Spanish Market, as described above, or in the case of an exchange when the player holding the card has landed on the Spanish Market and is exchanging with another player, the card reverts to its original day trip.

5 If a player does not have enough money to buy a trip, the player must continue going round the board until they have earned enough money to start buying trips again.

If a player has no money and an 'I Love Spain' card instructs them to pay money, the instruction is ignored.

The first player to collect all day trips they specified originally is the winner.

10 However, to win, that player must answer all their collected questions again. The player gives all their cards to the player on their right, who asks them all the questions, including all those on the 'Welcome to Spain' cards. If the questions are answered correctly that player wins the game. If the player answers one or more questions incorrectly, that player receives all their cards back and must miss the next two turns. If no other player 15 has collected their seven day trips in the meantime, the player may then attempt to answer their questions correctly again.

Finally, it will be understood that whilst the game apparatus has been described with reference to a physical board it may be embodied in computer software and played on a PC or games console.

20........................................................................ ....................................................................

Claims

1. A game apparatus comprising a board or a graphical depiction of a board, there being a track marked on the board, the track being divided into a plurality of 5 segments, one of which defines the start of the track, a playing piece for each player, a random number generator to determine the number of segments moved along the track by the playing pieces during play and a plurality of sets of cards, wherein the cards in each set contain questions relating to a particular foreign language and including words or phrases to be translated into that language, and each set being associated with at least 10 one segment of the track, such that when a player lands on that segment a card from the set of cards associated with it is used to ask the player a question, and a plurality of topics or "day trips", which topics are carried at random throughout at least one of the sets of cards, such that in the event of the question on a card from the said at least one set being answered correctly the topic marked on it can be collected and wherein the apparatus 15 fiJrther comprises means for supplying the correct answer to each question on the cards.

2. A game apparatus according to claim I, comprising six sets of cards.

3. A game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein five of the six sets contain questions relating to the geographical area depicted on the board which must be answered by the players to progress through the game and ultimately to win it and the 20 sixth set contains instructions to the players which they must follow.

4. A game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein ofthe five sets containing questions, at least one of these contains relatively simple questions.

S. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which the game is played in two stages with questions from the or each set containing the relatively simple questions only being asked during the first stage and in which a player can only progress to the second stage after correctly answering a predetermined number of these

5 questions.

6. A game apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a player is able to collect a token on answering a question correctly, which token represents points or preferably money.

7. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the segments 10 of the track corresponding to the set of cards containing simple questions are paired with or run parallel with the segments corresponding to the other sets of cards containing questions.

8. A game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the track takes the form of a figure of eight with the first stage of the game being played on one 15 loop and the second stage being played on the other loop.

9. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein having progressed to the second stage of the game questions from the other sets of cards are asked and by answering the question on a card from one of these other sets correctly a player is able to collect the day trip identified on that card.

20

10. A game apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each collected day trip is marked off a play sheet listing all the day trips or by picking out a card matching the collected day trip.

11. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the players agree a predetermined number of the total number of day trips available which must be obtained to win the game.

12. A game apparatus according to claim 1 1, wherein each player is required Son starting the game to identify which of the available day trips he or she will collect to make up that number.

13. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein players may purchase the cards on which they have answered correctly using tokens collected in the first stage of the game.

1014. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein additional segments are included around the track which provide for missed turns, additional tokens, the opportunity to exchange unwanted day trips with other players and the purchase of a day trip without having to obtain a question card marked with that day trip.

15. A game apparatus according to any preceding claim, in the form of 1 Scomputer software to be played on a PC or games console.