Product Description
Revised and expanded for it's 25th Anniversary, Barnga is the classic simulation game on cultural clashes. Participants experience the shock of realizing that despite their good intentions and the many similarities amongst themselves, people interpret things differently from one another in profound ways, especially people from differing cultures. Players learn that they must understand and reconcile these differences if they want to function effectively in a cross-cultural group. New features and enhancements include:

* Improved game design is simpler for those with limited experience playing card games.
* Group sizes standardized to avoid confusion during the game play.
* New rules allow for games with as few as two players.
* Partnership play permitted, enabling reflection on the impact of moral support from others.
* Redesigned handouts reinforce the idea that everyone is playing by the same rules.
* Different tournament formats raise new types of communication problems.
* Expanded debriefing section.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 8 reviews)

Games

It took a bit of time for me to figure out the purpose of the game. Once I did , I felt it can be used in my professional work. The big point is to adapt to fit your particular need.
July 01, 2008

Simulation Gaming

This book contains all you need to run one of the most successful simulation games ever devised. The book includes photo-copiable signs for use in the game and all you need provide are a few decks of cards. Unlike most activities of this order, the game is a relatively simple one in which different groups of students play cards with each other use different rules. At first, students playing the game are baffled, then annoyed, then even hostile toward one another.

The game is an excellent way to promote discussion of how our pre-conceptions lead to cultural misunderstandings.

Greg Strong, English Professor, Tokyo

February 17, 2007

Barnga

Very complete -- certainly all you need to create this experiential learning, and in several languages. I simple, yet effective exercise.
February 24, 2006

Not mcuh here

This is basically a card game. There are several variations and learners play the game silently in groups with each group having slightly different rules. As learners move to differen tables they have a diffucult time adjusting to the new rules since no verbal communication is permitted.

Learners are supposed to realize that their frustration at not knowing the rules is similar to not knowing the rules of different cultures. I found this entirely unsuitable for my language students because they already know that different cultures can lead to conflict and because I'm not interested in running a silent class.
September 20, 2005

Great for the Board Room and College Classroom

I'm a college professor who also does diversity training. I use BARNGA in my corporate trainings as well as in my college classroom. Everyone loves it! The simulation is an excellent way of driving home the idea that every environment (an institution, a business, a classroom) has unwritten rules that we assume have been communicated to the uninitiated. When the new person experiences problems, we all too often attribute the problem to a lack of skills rather than to a lack of knowledge about the "rules." This game is a great deal of fun and allows the facilitator to engage the participants in some serious discussion afterward about diversity. Excellent! Get it today! You won't be sorry.
January 27, 2001

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Experiential Activities for Intercultural Learning
by H. Ned Seelye

Exploring Culture: Exercises, Stories, and Synthetic Cultures
by Gert Jan Hofstede, Paul B. Pedersen

Developing Intercultural Awareness: A Cross-Cultural Training Handbook
by L. Robert Kohls, John M. Knight

Cross-Cultural Dialogues: 74 Brief Encounters With Cultural Difference
by Craig Storti

52 Activities for Exploring Value Differences
by Donna Stringer, Patricia Cassiday