Time to hike up the mountain! In this cooperative Digi-Game, students work together to reach the top by answering questions that explore how language changes depending on formality and context. With every correct answer, their character climbs higher up the trail, through forests, over cliffs and across snowy peaks.

Throughout the game, students are challenged to distinguish between formal and social language. They’ll decide which phrases or word choices are more appropriate in different settings, such as school reports, casual conversations, job interviews and text messages.

At the end of the hike, a polaroid snapshot is taken to show how far the team made it up the mountain. The game encourages students to replay and persist until they reach the summit!

Key Learning Outcomes:

• ✅ Identify features of formal and informal language
• ✅ Understand how context influences language choices
• ✅ Distinguish between social and academic communication styles
• ✅ Build confidence with tone, audience and purpose
• ✅ Develop cooperative skills through shared gameplay goals

How to Play:

1. Students are presented with a question about appropriate language for a specific context.
2. Each correct answer helps the team climb further up the mountain trail.
3. Scenery changes visually represent their progress, offering encouragement.
4. At the end of the game, a snapshot shows how far the team climbed and how many questions they answered correctly.
5. Replay the game to climb higher and work toward full mastery of the concept.

Ideas for Classroom Use:

• 💡 Use during grammar or writing units focused on tone, audience and formality
• 💡 Ideal for Year 5–6 students developing awareness of register in written and spoken language
• 💡 Pair with editing activities where students rewrite texts in both formal and informal tones
• 💡 Replay in teams to encourage collaboration and reinforce language awareness

Top Teacher Tips:

• 💛 Let students personalise their experience by choosing from six characters before the game begins
• 💛 Select the number of players or teams at the start of the game to suit individual, paired or group play
• 💛 Send the QR code home for students to revise language choices in a fun and cooperative way

Let’s Hike – Formal vs Social Language supports students in exploring language variation through a goal-driven adventure that rewards persistence, teamwork and clear communication!