James York is a Senior Assistant Professor at Meiji University. He is a key researcher in ludic language pedagogy, the incorporation of games and play into instruction, along with Dr. Jonathan deHaan. Dr. York earned his Ph.D. in Educational Research at the University of Leicester (UK). His research also focuses on task-based language learning, a teaching method that promotes acquisition by having learners work through tasks in the L2. Dr. York is one of the founding members of the Ludic Language Pedagogy journal, along with Dr. Jonathan deHaan, and the two frequently collaborate on books and articles. Currently, Dr. York serves as an associate editor, reviewer and author for Ludic Language Pedagogy and he also runs a Discord server called Kotoba Miners where learners can play Minecraft and read manga to learn Japanese.

Selected Works:

• deHaan, J., & York, J. (2025). Freedom to play: A ludic language pedagogy primer. Peter Lang.

• York, J., Shibata, K., Tokutake, H., & Nakayama, H. (2021). Effect of SCMC on foreign language  anxiety and learning experience: A comparison of voice, video and
  VR-based oral interaction. ReCALL, 33(1), 49-70.  https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344020000154

• York, J., & deHaan, J. (2018). A Constructivist Approach to Game-Based Language Learning: Student Perceptions in a Beginner Level EFL Context. International Journal of Game-Based Learning, 8, 19-40. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.2018010102

Websites:

• Ludic Language Pedagogy (journal) https://llpjournal.org/about.html

• Google Scholar Profile https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ha9MllAAAAAJ&hl=en

• Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cheapsh0t/about

• Kotoba Miners on Discord https://discord.gg/az5vgWn