Overview

The idea for this project began when the marketing team researched after-school programs that were using game-based learning to teach English. Initially, they considered using Fortnite to integrate English lessons, but after a deep dive into its features, they decided Minecraft was a better fit. Its open-world nature and the vast number of scenarios where students could practice conversational English made it the ideal platform for our curriculum.
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Once the decision was made and approved, I teamed up with a colleague to create the curriculum. We designed custom Minecraft maps, developed English lessons, and built a learning structure that allowed students at Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels to improve their English while engaging with the game.

Concept

Where English Meets Imagination

We built the curriculum around seasonal and level-specific lessons—each one themed to keep students engaged. For example, Fall lessons might include spooky Halloween builds, while Winter focused on Christmas-themed vocabulary. Every lesson introduced vocabulary tied to that theme, and students were encouraged to apply what they learned through creative in-game challenges.

Design and Development

What We Designed

Minecraft Maps

We built a variety of themed Minecraft worlds—including seasonal maps (like Halloween and Christmas), survival challenges, and creative mission zones. Each world was carefully designed to align with English learning goals, helping students apply vocabulary and practice conversation through fun, in-game tasks.

Lesson Plans, Slides, and Worksheets

Each lesson came with a full set of materials: teacher slides, student worksheets, and mission instructions. These supported different learning levels and made it easy for instructors to guide students through the lessons.

Central Google Sheet for Organization and Tracking

To keep everything organized, we maintained a detailed Google Sheet linking to all lesson materials and tracking which lessons each student had completed. It acted as both a curriculum hub and a progress tracker for teachers.

Key Learnings

What I Learned

Working on this project really taught me how to make learning feel fun and meaningful at the same time. I learned how to design lessons that don’t just teach vocabulary and grammar, but actually get students using English in a way that feels natural through gameplay. It pushed me to think creatively, adapt materials for different skill levels, and find the right balance between structure and freedom in a virtual world. I also got to work closely with a team of educators and creators, which helped me grow not just as a curriculum designer, but as a collaborator.

Next Steps

What's Next

This project is ongoing, with continuous improvements being made to ensure it evolves alongside student needs and learning trends. Current next steps include:

Developing Advanced Lessons: Expanding the curriculum with more challenging missions for higher-level learners.

Creating More Interactive Content: Introducing new game mechanics that support teamwork and real-time communication.

Expanding Teacher Resources: Providing more support materials and training to help teachers deliver lessons effectively.

Feedback Integration: Regularly incorporating feedback from students, parents, and educators to enhance the learning experience.