S.P.A.R.K. For Conversational English

S.P.A.R.K. is an inclusive, dynamic card game that everyone enjoys!

Our big goal is to be a vehicle for inclusion/equity, and this deck was designed specifically for folks for whom English is a second language. It’s often times used in classes for English Language Learners or English Speakers of Other Languages.

We encourage students and teachers to practice active listening and try out the S.P.A.R.K. acronym, which helps us show up with more empathy and intentionality. Each round of the game participants reflect on a new prompt and share their experience, the premise being that—we’re all experts of our experience, and that everyone’s story matters. See more step-by-step instructions in your S.P.A.R.K. deck.

*Designed and co-created with ESOL educators and students with intentionality
*Powerful tool for creating conditions for equity and inclusion
*Great community-building tool
*Also great for dinner-table-talk for parents with teenagers
*Here are more connections to ESOL / ELL tools and strategies 

THE SHARED AGREEMENTS (SECRET SAUCE) FOR THIS S.P.A.R.K. EXPERIENCE:
(share before engaging in any activity below)
· S – Share your truth / story
· P – Pause + listen FULLY (ears, eyes, heart + body)
· A – Ask questions in between turns (show curiosity rather than certainty)
· R – Respect each other
· K – Kindness always wins