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In the context of primary and secondary education, particularly in the area of vocational and career guidance, the use of educational board games to develop teaching and learning processes is not very common.

In this regard, this article seeks to promote and enhance the role of board games that foster conversations and deep reflection on various aspects related to students’ academic and career decision-making from 7th to 12th grade.

This article suggests combining traditional vocational and career guidance tools – including academic and career interest tests, digital platforms with psychometric tests, and printed guides – with non-traditional tools such as board games related to future career paths.

The first learning objective of an educational board game is for students to become aware of their level of knowledge on the broad range of career and higher education institution options, both in their home country and abroad.

A second objective, closely related to the first, is to help students reflect on the factors that influence a well-informed career and institution choice. These factors include developing solid study habits, adopting active and healthy lifestyles in terms of diet, sleep and exercise, and recognising the importance of mental health challenges when selecting a future career.

All this can be taught and learned in a traditional expository manner but it can also be developed through board games that incorporate these concepts. In particular, there are two educational games that promote the learning objectives mentioned above.

The first is “What Are You Looking For? A Vocational Game”, which consists of a set of dice and cards with questions related to professions, self-knowledge, personality traits, scholarships and university application processes. The advantage of this game is that it allows students to have fun while learning from their peers’ responses. Additionally, the role of the counsellor is to guide the learning process and generate questions and reflections rather than simply providing information.

Another interesting and useful board game, presented at the first international conference of the Future Pathways programme, part of the International Schools Partnership, is “My Career in Play”. This game consists of a deck with two types of cards: one set featuring images related to various professions, and another set of positive and negative cards that reference protective or risk factors impacting career paths (study habits, substance abuse, mental health, academic self-esteem, etc).

Both games can be used in classrooms from the 7th to 12th grade to foster a relaxed and supportive class environment where students can learn and reflect on their future paths without experiencing anxiety about the uncertainties ahead. These games also encourage peer learning and contribute positively to a healthy school environment. Similarly, they can be used in family settings, where the role of parents and caregivers is vital in supporting their children’s decision-making process.

The use of educational board games is particularly beneficial for students with special educational needs, as well as for those in their final years of high school who must navigate various challenges related to career decisions, elective subjects or their future paths in general.