Parcheesi Board Game for Language Learning

Again this evening, I played Parcheesi for the last five minutes of a lesson. Parcheesi, a classic race-and-chase game has been a favorite for more than 100 years.

Some might find it hard to believe, but this game can be played in or just for five minutes. It can be used in any language lesson, whether one-on-one or a small group. Remember, children do not always have to finish the game (which at times keeps us adults from even starting it).

The game requires only a simple command of language, such as counting numbers, choosing the color, reminders such as Du bist dran! (It’s your turn) etc.

Parcheesi board game (German version)

Capturing the other guy’s man will make any German speaker call out “Mensch!”, hence the name Mensch, ärgere Dich nicht! (Hey, don’t be upset!)

Most foreign students are quite intrigued about learning how to play the game. This game has been on the cover of German dictionaries, is seen at friends’ homes, in shop windows, and just about everywhere.

Being a bit old-fashioned I’d suppose, I am glad to hear when students went ahead to get their own Mensch ärgere Dich nicht to play it with friends and siblings.

Schmidt Spiele 49021 – Mensch ärgere Dich nicht from Amazon.de

Mensch ärgere dich nicht is a German board game created  by Joseph Friedrich Schmidt.

Frankfurt-Hahn Airport and Marketing Ads

Just a few hours ago we arrived at Frankfurt-Hahn airport with Ryanair. We had a splendid time in Trapani, Sicily, but more about that later on my travel blog.

What I noticed today, and not on 3 April (our day of departure), was the marketing ad for the airport. I cannot fathom what company would publish this as an advertisement slogan.

frankfurt hahn airport - Wir können Flughafen

There is no mistake – as the same message is written in English as well.

frankfurt hahn airport - we can airport

What is the message here? Cheap airport, cheap translation?

On a different note, Ryanair is turning into a hardcore flying sales engine. Not only flight attendants, but also pilots have to announce items for sale. If you try to rest, be assured to wake up about every 10 to 15 minutes for an advertisement. On the return flight, among the various offers, substitute cigarettes were also advertised for € 6 a pack. After listening to about five different offers, I would not have been surprised to hear goose down feather bedding being sold on board. These flights look more and more like a cheap Werbefahrt (low-priced bus trips around Germany, geared at the older generation, with the intention of selling high-priced items).

What is good about Ryanair? Well, we had a direct flight to Trapani and arrived safely.

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