More than words

Duration: 15+ min
Number of players: 2+ player/s
Materials/ Tools needed: Card set “More than Words”
Publisher: Tell your story LTD
Language: EN, LV
Links: https://stastustastiem.lv/product/more-than-words/

Short description

“More than Words” – is a card game with the aim to encourage conversations about life, values and other important things, thus learning more about yourself and others. Each card may serve as an impulse to reflect on

the content and meaning of a specific word – what it means to use, what is our attitude to it, how we relate it to ourselves and our personal and professional life. The method invites us to consider if, what and how we would like to change something in ourselves and why.

The cards encourage conversations about important things which we do not discuss often enough.

Educational value/ Learning Objectives

  • Icebreaking
  • Promote discussions and dialogue to build a stronger team and to get to know each other better.
  • Develop personal and professional skills – tolerance, empathy, communication,
  • storytelling, presentation, argumentation, active listening, language training, time management, creativity, etc.

Recommendations for use

Just take the cards and talk!

Individually – take a random card, look at it and reflect on what the specific picture and word tell about yourself. Try to think of 5 reasons why this picture is connected with the specific word and consider how these reasons relate to you. Words are different, you can select the cards which are more suitable to a specific group and purpose. You can also create discussion groups about topics, words and pictures of individual cards.

In a group – each player selects 5 cards without looking and arranges them in front with pictures facing up. Players are asked to reflect on the meaning of the five selected pictures and words in their lives, business, career etc. If a player cannot/does not want to relate some card to himself/herself, it is possible to put the specific card back in the middle of the table explaining the reason for, and take another card explaining his/her choice. At the end each player has 5 cards containing words and values of special importance in his/her life.

Be creative! Make new rules of the game which are most appropriate for your needs!

Good luck!

Tips and Tricks for Facilitators 

How to adapt game for different groups, topics, occasions/needs

Depending on the situation/ needs you can select cards with specific words/ drawings (in the full deck there are 75 cards). 

Feedback questions

You can also give cards to the learners and invite them to go outside for a walk during which they answer questions, speak, and share thoughts! To highlight the education aspect, after playing the cards short debriefing sessions could be very useful.

Here are some questions that can be used:

● Individual self-reflection

○ What can I learn from this activity?

○ Which card (word, picture or both) made me think the most?

● Pairs conversations

○ Did you find some answers that surprised you? Which ones and why?

○ What was the most challenging? Why?

● Discussions in groups

○ What competences can you develop through this game?

○ How would they help you in a professional and personal life?


Further discussion topics

Life goals and values
Professional development 

Lifelong learningDiversity