Dare to Speak 2 is an innovative board game designed to help mitigate speaking anxiety in the workplace.

Evolving from its original version, Dare to Speak 1, introduced in 2013, which focused on English language

learning, the game has expanded into multiple languages, including Bahasa Melayu (Minda Kritis), Mandarin

(Fun with Mandarin), and Arabic. Dare to Speak 2 incorporates gamified learning principles by combining the

concepts of Snakes and Ladders with Monopoly, offering learners a fun and engaging gamification platform to

expose and practice workplace communication. The project uniquely incorporates authentic film dialogues

with workplace themes to expose learners to different forms of phrases in offers, acceptances, and declines,

helping them manage speaking anxiety, and at the same time, are perceived as polite in real professional

scenarios. With existing recognition awards (Silver 2013 and 2015; Gold 2018) and prior registered intellectual

Speaking anxiety remains one of the major barriers to effective workplace communication. Employees,

particularly fresh graduates, often struggle to express themselves due to a lack of confidence, limited exposure

to professional language use, and fear of negative evaluation (Horwitz et al., 1986; Woodrow, 2006). In

workplace settings, this anxiety can affect employability, professional growth, and overall organisational

productivity. Employers consistently report that effective communication and interpersonal skills are among

the most highly valued competencies, yet many new employees fall short in these areas (OECD, 2019; Robles,

2012). This highlights a pressing need for innovative solutions that go beyond traditional classroom instruction

to equip learners with practical communication skills in safe and motivating ways.

al., 2014). These findings suggest that gamified tools could serve as a powerful medium to help learners

practise workplace communication while simultaneously addressing their anxiety.

Dare to Speak 2 was developed as an innovative response to this challenge. Evolving from the original Dare to

Speak (2013) (Figure 1), which was designed to support English language learning, the game integrates the

mechanics of Snakes and Ladders with Monopoly to create a dynamic board game experience. What sets Dare

to Speak 2 apart is its incorporation of authentic film dialogues, which expose learners to real-life expressions

of offers, acceptances, and declines in workplace scenarios. This combination of gamification and authentic

input provides learners with opportunities to practise language in a contextually rich, engaging, and low-

anxiety environment (Schwienhorst, 2002). By merging entertainment with purposeful practice, the game not

only strengthens communicative competence but also empowers learners to build confidence in managing

speaking anxiety among Malaysian students in Malaysian universities (Lingaiah & Ishak, 2023; Mohd Sobri

Paridaluddin et al., 2023; Ong, L. S., & Zuraidah, M. D., 2022; Rahmat, N. H., (2021). This anxiety can lead to

misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and decreased confidence. Although language instructors aim to

prepare students for such challenges, there is a lack of targeted, interactive teaching methods that focus on

specific workplace communication needs, like offers, acceptances, and declines. ESL learners need to be

exposed to have good workplace communication.

Workplace communication requires employees to interact effectively through offers, acceptances, and declines.

However, many individuals experience speaking anxiety that hinders their ability to respond appropriately in

professional contexts (Horwitz et al., 1986; Woodrow, 2006). Traditional training methods often fail to address

the psychological barrier of anxiety, focusing more on linguistic accuracy than communicative confidence

Dare to Speak 2 is a board game that combines the principles of Snakes and Ladders and Monopoly. Players

navigate the board by answering communication-related tasks derived from authentic film dialogues. Each task

requires learners to practice speech acts such as making offers, accepting or declining politely, and responding

to workplace scenarios.

This study is utilizing Design and Development Research (DDR). In this study, the ADDIE model, which

consists of five fundamental areas, is used as a support model for game design and development

The game has evolved from its first version (2013) designed for English, to localized versions in Bahasa

Melayu, Mandarin, and Arabic. Collaboration with linguists, language educators, industry practitioners, and

workplace trainers makes the product holistic and adaptable across contexts. The methodology involves

competence and confidence as key employability skills for graduates entering the workforce (OECD, 2019;

Robles, 2012). Dare to Speak 2 offers a practical and engaging solution that bridges the gap between academic

preparation and workplace expectations.

What distinguishes Dare to Speak 2 from other training tools is its unique blend of gamified learning and

authentic film dialogues, which not only enhances linguistic ability but also helps participants overcome

speaking anxiety in realistic workplace contexts (Kapp, 2012; Prensky, 2001). The multilingual adaptability of

the game, which already expanded into Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin, and Arabic, further increases its market

reach, making it suitable for diverse cultural and professional settings.

In terms of scalability, the physical board game can be complemented with a digital or mobile application

version, allowing for broader distribution and integration into blended learning environments. Such

may further support sustainable commercialisation, ensuring that Dare to Speak 2 continues to evolve and meet

the dynamic needs of workplace communication training.

The novelty of Dare to Speak 2 lies in its integration of gamified learning with authentic workplace dialogues,

providing not only language practice but also psychological support in overcoming speaking anxiety (Horwitz

et al., 1986; Kapp, 2012). Unlike conventional board games or training modules, this product addresses both

the linguistic and affective dimensions of communication competence, making it a unique pedagogical tool. Its

multilingual versions demonstrate adaptability across different cultural and linguistic contexts, which is critical

education, corporate training, and cross-cultural professional environments.

Future Developments May Include Digital Versions, Mobile Applications, and Ai-Driven Personalised

Feedback. Such Expansions Align with The Growing Shift Towards Digital and Blended Learning Ecosystems,

Where Gamification and Adaptive Technologies Have Been Shown to Significantly Increase Learner

Engagement and Retention (De-Marcos Et Al., 2014). By Leveraging These Technologies, Dare to Speak 2

Can Scale Its Impact, Making Communication Training More Accessible, Personalised, And Sustainable.