Jonathan deHaan is an Associate Professor and director of the Games Lab at the University of Shizuoka in Japan. His work involves the integration of games and play into language learning, a practice known as ludic language pedagogy. He and Dr. James York are prominent researchers in this field. In addition to ludic language pedagogy and game-based learning (both tabletop and video games), Dr. deHaan’s research interests also include multiliteracies, media education and simulations. Dr. deHaan completed a Ph.D. in Educational Communication and Technology at New York University, an M.A. in TESOL at Michigan State University and a B.A. in English Literature at Dordt College. Along with Dr. James York, Dr. deHaan is a co-founder of the journal Ludic Language Pedagogy, where his current roles include associate editor, reviewer and author. 

Selected Works:

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

• deHaan, J., Reed, W.M. & Katsuko, K. (2010). The Effect of Interactivity with a Music Video Game on Second Language Vocabulary Recall. Language Learning and Technology, 14(2), 74-94. https://doi.org/10.64152/10125/44215

• deHaan, J. (2008). Acquisition of Japanese as a Foreign Language Through a Baseball Video Game. Foreign Language Annals, 38, 278-282. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2005.tb02492.x 

• 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.co.jp/citations?user=jopJtIYAAAAJ&hl=en

• Games Lab at University of Shizuoka: https://sites.google.com/site/gamelabshizuoka/