Are you familiar with the beloved game “Alias”? The Yeshivot and Ulpanot Bnei Akiva have a new hit designed to help students across the network prepare for the English matriculation exam. The veteran education system in the national-religious sector has introduced a card game reminiscent of the popular title, aiming to encourage students and let them study for the English exam in an experiential, enjoyable and effective way.
The new game, called “Word Dash,” includes more than 500 words from the English matriculation vocabulary list. It was launched during a special conference in Kfar Saba attended by about 80 teachers from across the network.
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Who isn't familiar with the game 'Alias'?
(Photo: Bnei Akiva Center for Yeshivot and Ulpanot)
The conference featured hands-on pedagogical creation workshops, artificial intelligence-based tools, and a talk by Rabbi Yona Goodman, head of the network’s Education Administration, on the link between language and values. Later, all staff members received a complete game kit, along with an instruction manual and ideas for integrating it as an integral part of English lessons in the schools. The teachers also tried the game, which was initiated by the network’s English coordinator, Rina London, and showed great enthusiasm.
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80 teachers from across the network attended the conference in Kfar Saba .
(Photo: Bnei Akiva Center for Yeshivot and Ulpanot)
Pnina Kinderman, the network’s pedagogical coordinator who is leading the initiative, explained: “In recent years, the English matriculation exam has placed a strong emphasis on vocabulary, and that is a real challenge for students. We do not really favor methods like dictation and rote recitation, so we created an experiential and effective alternative in the form of the Word Dash game, which allows students to practice 540 words through play. In this way the learning is absorbed more deeply, and the confidence of our boys and girls to speak English will keep growing.”