The Lessons from Playing Clash of Clans

When I was back in the US, I used to play quite a bit of video games, especially in middle school and high school since I had an abundant amount of free time because I finished my homework quickly. Then at Dartmouth, my playing time decreased a lot unless it was the weekend or during a major holiday and Dartmouth wasn't holding classes. And now in Russia, I almost never play a video game... except for Clash of Clans.

Of the many possible games I could have on my smartphone, it's the only one. I prefer using my smartphone to read books on my kindle app or articles on the internet. In fact, I wouldn't even have a game on my phone if it weren't for one of my students downloading it onto my phone after trying to convince me for weeks that I should play it. Now that I've got Clash of Clans (CoC) on my phone, he wants me to download World of Tanks... yeah, that ain't happening.

I'm not surprised though that my students keep wanting me to download all sorts of games. They're big fans of World of Tanks, Clash of Clans, Assassin's Creed and other war-related video games. Some even like to pretend they're the main character of the latest installment of Assassin's Creed. In some ways, it reminds me of myself when I was a kid and I would reenact WWII battles with my toy soldiers.

Still, I shouldn't get addicted to video games, now that I'm a working member of society and I prefer spending my free time walking with friends or coffee shops. And if I don't meet with friends, instead of playing games, I should try to finish one of the many novel projects I've started.

If only doing were as easy as saying. Genre-wise, Clash of Clans isn't even my type of game. I have always preferred sports games like Madden, NCAA football and FIFA, or first-person shooters like Call of Duty and Halo. The rare ventures outside those two genres were for Star Wars games like Battlefront and Knights of the Old Republic (by the way, it saddens me that Disney just declared the entire expanded universe as non-canon). And when I played a computer game, it was almost always for a real-time strategy game like Age of Empires or Star Wars Empire at War.

While Clash of Clans is related to most of those games in that it's conflict-based, the mechanics are fairly different. You have your own small clan village that you upgrade over time using gold and 'elixir.' The most common ways you receive gold and elixir are by generating it yourself with gold mines and elixir rigs or you can use a small army to raid someone else's village and steal their gold and elixir. You can upgrade your town without attacking but it's a very slow process that can be made even more tedious by other peoples' attacks on you. In other words, if you want to upgrade and not be left vulnerable, you must go on the offensive.

Here's where the departure from other games occurs.

In almost every game I have played on computer or console, I exercised a great deal of control on what happens. Even in Age of Empires, when I'm attacking another person's colony, I can direct individual members of my army and tell them where to attack. This is impossible in CoC. The only control you have is where you place your soldiers when you start attacking, which requires you to know the priority targets for each type of unit. Once you put all your soldiers on the battlefield, the computer controls the rest.

As I've played, I've gotten more used to this mechanic, and in some ways, I enjoy it. The lack of necessity to micro-manage battles is somewhat refreshing, although there are still moments when I'm shaking my head at how units progress through a village. But it's a nice feeling to sit back and watch the cinematic aspect of the battle.

I understand why it's a game my students like to play. You need only a 5-10 minute window of free time to check your village, upgrade something, attack someone and start rebuilding your army. For students who should avoid showing teachers their smartphones, it's an excellent game whereas games like Halo or FIFA require at least 20 minutes to play through a level or a game.

But the philosophic aspects of the game are also interesting. By going through the game, it makes the points, intentionally or unintentionally, that the best one to become better (upgrading your village) is to be active (attacking). Sitting around and waiting will go nowhere quickly, as was my experience when I didn't want to mount many attacks and risk getting my butt kicked attacking a village. Eventually, however, I learned in the game that if I wanted to make my village even better, I needed to be proactive.

There's also an interesting element regarding investing. When you choose to upgrade your gold mines or your elixir rigs, they will stop working for a period of time dependent on how advanced they already are. This forces you to strategize and priotitize which upgrades you want to complete first and which will help you most.

I also mentioned the inability to micro-manage battles. This can also be construed as a lesson that not everything will go perfectly, because in real life, people can't micro-manage. Often the worst leaders are those who try to control every element down to its smallest detail. This prevents their followers from really developing into well-rounded people who can become leaders in their own right. Conversely, the best leaders are those who trust their followers to do the right thing for the right reason. The leaders give their followers a task and allow their followers to accomplish the task however necessary.

I'm reminded about one of my friend's short stories about Bill Gates (at least I think it was Bill Gates). My friend said that Bill Gates would give the hardest tasks to his laziest workers because he knew they would find the most efficient way of accomplishing the task.

Anyways, I doubt my 12-year old students will pick up on these elements of the game considering how young they are, but maybe in time they'll notice these small lessons.

Anyways, in the next week or so, I'll write a blog post that recaps what's currently happening as well as my experience organizing a short class on public speaking in English. I just felt like writing a shorter, more light-hearted post that held a couple interesting anecdotes.

I will provide you with some pictures of the view outside my apartment last week. We had some snow during the night that stuck around for the morning before melting away.

TEFL Adventures: Experiencing the Life of a Traditional Russian Village

This article previously appeared on the International TEFL Academy website. To view the original article complete with pictures, click here.

When the snow starts melting and the ice begins disappearing, Russians celebrate the imminent arrival of spring and sun with a week-long festival known as Maslenitsa. During this period, Russians visit their friends and family and eat blins (crepes) with one another. In a way, my school, Gorchakov Memorial School, where I teach English in Russia, continues the week-long celebration in its own unique fashion.

Each year in the beginning of March, students, staff and alumni of the school travel to the shores of Lake Ladoga. There, located off the massive still-frozen lake, is a traditional Russian village called “Mandrogi.” Owned by the Gutsait Group, the same group that is responsible for Gorchakov Memorial School and runs several restaurants in the Saint Petersburg/Pushkin/Pavlovsk area, Mandrogi is an ideal location to spend a couple days to relax and learn about some aspects of old Russian culture.

However, this trip was anything but relaxing for me as students, staff and alumni were divided into six teams which competed in a massive game that took place over the course of our stay in Mandrogi. One team was completely made up of teachers, another was just alumni and the students were separated into four different teams. The team with the most points would win the game and the “Gorchakov Cup.” In order to earn points, teams would compete in different mini-games that depended on their physical and mental abilities.

Our schedule over the three days remained fairly constant. In the morning, I explored what Mandrogi had to offer by participating in different master classes with sixth graders. Then, after lunch, everyone would return to the main building where we competed in mini-games, and in the evenings, we would play “Strategy,” a table-top game that combines the luck of Risk with the general board layout and tactics of Stratego.

The most interesting part of our visit was the master classes, which were small tutorials on how to make something considered common in traditional Russian villages. For example, last year, the students learned to prepare peroshki (pastries) as one of their master classes. While this year didn’t have peroshki baking, the classes offered were still fairly interesting.

This year’s master classes included: making horseshoes at the blacksmith’s, weaving bags or rugs, making ceramic bowls from clay, crafting wooden birds or flowers and painting pieces of wood. We could also make color prints using a printing press. My print was a simple golden sun with the words “Hakuna Matata.” One of the students jokingly said my print lacked imagination but let’s be honest, I’m probably the world’s worst artist! Still, it was fairly enjoyable despite being outdone by that same student who made a print based on Lord of the Rings… much cooler than mine.

Instead of working in my traditional role as a TEFL teacher, I was more of a medium for practicing English conversational skills. While I do have some skills in speaking Russian, my Russian comprehension is oftentimes far worse than my students’ English comprehension. Consequently, the students have to act as translators so that I could understand what the master class instructors were saying. By facilitating this communication, the students helped the instructors teach me how to split wood and craft a wooden ‘bird of happiness,’ work with metal in order to make a horseshoe and shape clay into a ceramic bowl. Without the aid of the translation skills my students employed, I might have easily been hopelessly lost.

After lunch, we would resume our big game by playing mini-games, of which my favorite was a paper airplane making contest to see who could make the plane that could fly the farthest. I showed some students how I used to make paper airplanes as a student, and three teams used my airplane design. They might not have won but I’m happy that my design performed respectably well. It consistently scored second-highest of the designs that were used. That being said, there were moments when my plane’s design got caught by the wind and turned right back at us for a score of zero. Alas…

During our limited free time, I played billiards or ping pong with students. If the pool table and ping pong table were busy, I would find a ball and a couple paddles and play ping pong off the ground. In some ways, ping pong off the ground is harder to play and it’s impossible to really keep score, which just makes it more fun than normal table tennis.

In the end, the alumni team emerged victorious. We celebrated the finale with a small fireworks celebration, which went pretty well until the box fell over. Fortunately, the box was pointing away as it fired its last two shots into the snow. It was an event we all found it pretty funny and laughed a lot about.

I feel incredibly grateful to the school for allowing me to travel to Mandrogi with the students, and to the International TEFL Academy and the online TEFL class for helping to prepare me for this experience, as well as my career as a TEFL instructor.

Suffice to say, I can’t wait until next year to see what we do next. From what I’ve heard, the activities change in some way each year. Personally, I hope the peroshki making master class returns next year!

TEFL Adventures: Telling the History of Easter through Theater

Of the many tasks at Gorchakov Memorial School I must do, one of them is to help run a drama club in English. The instruction is given in English, the performance is in English and the script is in English. The only parts of the club where we use any Russian is when we translate the script and provide Russian subtitles for the audience, and when we translate English words that the students don't know and the meaning of the word isn't easily explained.

Last October, the English Department organized a historical play I wrote that reenacted "The Gunpowder Plot," which occurred in 1605 when treasonous individuals, including the infamous Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the British Parliament. Complete with costumes, makeup, subtitles and a backdrop, we had a fairly sizable turnout enjoy our play. I wound up having to stand in for one of the students who was absent that day due to illness. Following the play, in reference to the upcoming British holiday known as "Bonfire Night," we had barbecued sausages, roasted marshmallows and threw effigies of Guy Fawkes into a big bonfire.

After a Nativity Play that was staged just before Christmas, the reformed English Department (we shrank from four teachers to two... me and a new head English teacher who joined the school from Donetsk) found itself faced with having to write, stage and organize a play just before the school.

To try and smooth the transition process, I wrote a simple skit based on the characters from Harry Potter as I knew many of the students enjoyed Harry Potter. However, the play failed as the students voiced their desire to have a play that explained the history of a holiday and how Englanders and Americans celebrate it. After a long discussion, we came to a consensus that Easter would be the new holiday we would depict, thus beginning hours of research and playwriting which would end with an Easter play.

For example, apparently the tradition of decorating Easter eggs started during the Middle Ages when nobles of families gave one another gold-covered Easter eggs. The act of giving eggs became popular but it was too expensive for commoners to take part, so they began to give normal hard-boiled eggs which had been painted or dyed. We learned this fact and many mores while we were researching the play. The hardest part was simply determining how to demonstrate these facts without relying too much on simply talking.

Below are photos of the play, which included music, costumes, Russian subtitles and props. In the end, I found myself wearing some bunny ears that a student had made. Still, the performance went fairly well and I learned quite a bit of history about Easter's non-religious origins and the ways different cultures celebrate Easter. After the play, I then gave a very short lecture about Easter in the United States (i.e. White House Easter Egg Roll, Easter Egg hunts, coloring eggs), Canada (Hot Cross Buns) and Germany (an egg-cracking game called Ostereierditschen), which then led into a very short quiz to involve the audience and test how much they understood.

Pagans, before Easter became a religious holiday, used to worship and praise Ostara, who was the goddess of spring and fertility. Here the students are walking around chanting Ostara's name and praying to her for a good harvest. They eventually present Ostara with a gift basket filled with eggs which Ostara happily accepts and awards her followers with a good harvest.

And here's where I'm giving my small lecture on Easter traditions in England, America, Canada and Germany.

TEFL Adventures: Answering Questions About My Life in Russia

To read the full Q&A article that was posted on the International TEFL Academy website with pictures, please click here. Select questions are posted here.

What sparked your interest in going to teach English abroad?

I’ll be honest when I say that before last year, I never imagined that I would be teaching English in a foreign country. In high school and most of university, I was always interested in sports and politics, so most of my career prep went towards those areas. While the subject matter is different, I can say I use some of the skills I learned while working in those areas. Both areas are very writing intensive and require command of the language, as part of being a successful TEFL teacher is to be able to teach writing.

But it wasn’t until I was already teaching English that I became interested in teaching English. It was during a study-abroad program in Saint Petersburg that I decided to volunteer and help teach English at a foreign language center. In the beginning, it was simple a way for me to spend my free time and stave off boredom while possibly making some friends. I succeeded on all counts, but I also developed an interest in English. It helped that my students were enthusiastic at being able to practice English with me.

What were some of your concerns before teaching abroad?

The only one I can think of was how much my life would be affected by the sanctions and situation in Ukraine.

What did your friends and family think about you moving and teaching abroad?

On the whole, they were all pretty excited for me and supportive. My parents’ biggest concern was whether I’d be safe from any anti-American sentiments. So far, I’ve escaped such problems. I also haven’t heard of others experiencing such problems.

Tell us about your English teaching job!

I work a minimum of 50 hours a week. Any additional time I spend is my choice. My pay is dependent on the number of hours I work (there's one bracket for 45-hours and one bracket for 50-hours).

I'm able to save most of what I earn outside of paying my apartment rent. Part of my job involves eating meals with the students so I eat for free. It just depends on what I do during the weekends. In my case, I like to frequent coffee shops, especially Starbucks near the Ploschad Vosstaniya Metro Station.

Gorchakov is a private boarding school for males between ages 10 and 17. I also receive holidays and summers off.

Please explain the cultural aspects, public transportation, nightlife, social activities, food, expat community, dating scene, travel opportunities, etc...

CULTURAL ASPECTS: Despite the sanctions and political situations involving Russia, I’ve really not had much of an adjustment problem. In some ways, when I’m walking through the city streets, especially along Nevsky Prospect, I almost feel like I’m back in America. However, in a working environment, Russians only greet you once each day whereas I feel many Americans greet each other many times a day. Also, if Russians look at you with a very serious face, it doesn’t mean they don’t like you.

MAKING FRIENDS: Friendships are important to Russians. It’s not uncommon for some Russians who have lived in the city all their life to have friendships that started back in elementary school.

PERSONAL SPACE: In the metro, excluding summer, you will be so packed into the metro that you can barely move. People just want to get home as soon as possible, and they’re willing to sacrifice their personal space to get there. Just don’t get uncomfortable if a person’s right next to you and is invading your space.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: The easiest way to get around the city is by metro. Currently, it costs 31 rubles to ride the metro. However, I recommend you get an electronic card that you can load. Not only due you avoid lines for tokens, but the more you ride the metro, the cheaper it costs. The next easiest way of getting around is by “marshrutkas,” also known as mini-buses. The price depends on the marshrutka and where you want to go. Most go to at least one metro which means it’s more convenient to ride a marshrutka to the metro if you live 20 minutes away from the metro. Unless you want the exercise, of course…

NIGHTLIFE: I can’t say much on this question because I’m not very big on going out. I do know that the few times I’ve gone out, the nightlife has been busy, even during the winter. It just depends on which weekend you go out. Dumskaya Street next to the Gostiny Dvor metro station tends to be a popular place for foreigners.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: It’s pretty easy to be social in Saint Petersburg. There are a lot of parks and museums that are free or very cheap. You can even just walk around the city and view the different types of architecture from the Winter Palace to Peter-Paul's fortress. I personally prefer going for walks in the park with friends followed by a trip to a cafe to drink coffee or hot chocolate (I always choose coffee). You learn quick that the big coffee cafe chains like Coffee House, Schokoladnitsa and Starbucks are pretty expensive. However, the best value place is Starbucks as you can get a venti size for less than you get at Schokoladnitsa for a tall. I am probably biased though about Starbucks considering I come from Seattle.

FOOD: There’s your popular American chains such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Subway. There are more Russian brands like Teremok and Chaynaya Lozhka (Teremok is much better). From what I’ve heard from some vegetarians, it’s difficult to be a vegetarian in Russia but there are some vegetarian cafes and vegetarians options at more expensive restaurants. With sanctions though, I have seen prices at many places go up a little.

For people on a budget, buying the inexpensives ‘blins’ (crepes) from Teremok or Chaynaya Lozhka is pretty effective. There’s also Shaverma (doner-kebabs), but the danger with Shaverma is the types of meat that may be used. You should ask your Russian friends for any good Shaverma places they know.

And on a small note, ordering a cup of water at restaurants isn’t free like it is in the US.

ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE ENGLISH TEACHERS

What advice would you give someone planning or considering teaching abroad? Would you recommend teaching in your country?

Don't be surprised if students don't want to learn grammar from you. Students tend to prefer having English-speaking Russians explain the grammar because they had to learn it the same way as well. Instead, students prefer native-English speakers more for conversation practice and learning the differences between formal and informal ways of speaking.

Also, most students learn the British form of English, so you might way to familiarize yourself with some of the biggest differences between American English and British English.

As for teaching English in Russia, I would recommend it even though the currency is weak and the visa requirements are tough.