Every Friday in the International Center, Mark Bordsen rolls in with a suitcase full of board games and a crowd of students not too far behind.

Mark Bordsen is the game facilitator for the English with Board Games Program and volunteers his time to bring a variety of different games for students to play with him.

“I always had the feeling that games are underutilized in education, so I was pleased when the International Center allowed me to bring word games on Fridays to see how the games would work in helping second language learners to improve pronunciation and expand vocabulary,” Bordsen said.

Bordsen also sells some of his games, and he currently gives students the opportunity to win a free game every week by identifying the location of a photo he has taken in different countries he’s visited.

He began collecting games in 1984 to play with his two sons when they were young. Since then, his collection of used games, purchased at garage sales and thrift stores, has grown to more than 3,000.

Katherine Hellmann, the International Programs Associate director, said that Bordsen has a passion for board games and other cultures.

“It’s pretty amazing to hear Mark sit and explain different English vocabulary and slang to students,” Hellmann said. “I’ve never seen Mark sitting at the table with the students without a big smile on his face.”

For its third year, Bordsen has tested more than 100 board games with the international students for the program.

Maraki Workeneh, a sophomore human development major, sometimes goes to play games with Bordsen and finds the games interesting and never easy.

“One thing I like about him is that he challenges students,” Workeneh said.

Workeneh said Bordsen is good at explaining the rules of the game and helps students understand what they’re learning without giving away the answers.

“He is a good teacher when it comes to teaching English,” Workeneh said.

Most students enjoy playing the games, and sometimes the activities go for longer than the scheduled time, Workeneh said.

“I’m thankful for him coming here with a large bag of games,” Workeneh said.

After the end of each game, Bordsen asks the students to rate the game and explain why they liked it in order for him to evaluate the effectiveness of the games in teaching English.

“Even if I have a student that comes in one time, and I can get them to say a word to know the difference and they improve, then I feel good,” Bordsen said.

“I’ve seen a lot of dialogue over the board games because people really relax because they’re just playing a game,” Hellmann said. “When you’re just playing a game you’re not really thinking about your English.”

“When we have American and international students at the table, it’s a beautiful opportunity for them to get to know each other, interact with each other, and share language,” Hellmann said.

Both international and American students are welcome to come play games with Bordsen every Friday from noon to 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.