Korean Job Discussion Forums

[brento1138]

Just wondering. Is there some resource out there for finding out about what some good games are for large classes? I work in a public school, and would like to find some more game ideas for my classes. The class size ranges from 30-42 students. It's a bit tricky, since you need to keep all the students involved... and keep it interesting. The old hakwon games I played with the kids aren't all compatible with the public school classes.

In these public school classes, students often just learn one or two simple phrases with perhaps a bit of variance in the dialogue.

Game ideas and activity ideas needed!

[swetepete]

"Fight Club" is very popular. For high school, "Battle Royale" is cool.

[passport220]

http://genkienglish.net/soldiersninjas.htm

Soldiers and Ninjas

Select 4 volunteers. These students are the soldiers and will be asking the questions. Get the 4 soldiers to stand in a straight line across the room (about 10 feet apart). You are the King and sit in your throne about 10 feet behind the 4th soldier. Assign each of the 4 soldiers a question (eg. What's your name?/ How old are you?/ How are you?/ What sports do you play?).

The remaining students, the ninjas, gather at the starting line about 10 feet in front of of the first soldier. When you shout "Go!" the ninjas run towards the first soldier and form a queue (first come first served). The first soldier asks the first ninja to arrive their assigned question, in this case "What's your name?". The Ninja replies (My name is...) and they janken in English. If the ninja wins, he/she can go on to the second soldier who will then ask him/her their assigned question (How old are you?). The ninja replies and again jankens with the soldier. If they win they proceed to the third soldier and so on...

However, if at anytime a ninja loses at janken to a soldier they must return to the starting line and repeat the whole process again (cue cries of exasperation). If a ninja manages to get passed all 4 soldiers they get to have a showdown with the King! You can ask them any question that you've covered in class, eg. What's your favourite food? The ninja answers and you janken. If the ninja wins you have been dethroned and the ninja is now the King (cue much jubilation) and you must join the other ninjas in an attempt to get passed all the soldiers to reclaim your throne. If you win, of course the ninja must return to the starting line again (cue more cries of exasperation). 20 minutes or so is about right for this game although no doubt the students will want to continues playing.

The good things about this game is that it gives the opportunity for the students to revise/drill dialogue in a fun way without them even realising it. As it takes a very lucky ninja to get passed all four guards without losing at all, students will no doubt have to answer the same questions several times. Now and again let other students become soldiers so they get to practice asking the questions.

Variations? You can have two, three or more lines of soldiers asking questions for bigger classes. You can also use props such as a crown for the King which adds to the fun. If ninjas and soldiers aren't cool enough, you can always build the game around another theme (eg. Lord of the Rings with hobbits and orks).

A couple of things to watch out for. The queues for ninjas waiting to battle with the soldiers can get a bit congested at times. The students tend to wait patiently but this problem can be avoided altogether by having another line of soldiers. This will get things moving much quicker. Also, take the opportunity to walk around and check the students pronunciation and prompting when necessary. A bit of a long-winded explanation which would be aided greatly by some photos but this game works great! Try it!!!

Mat Gutch Kochi Prefecture, Japan.

[butlerian]

[mrsquirrel]

I do a running relay dictations jigsaw thing.

Using a dialog that has been used in class split the class into four teams. One person is the sorter and the rest are runners.

Have the dialogue mixed up at the back of the room on the walls (four separate copies)

Read out a line from it. Ss run to the back and find the line you said and bring it back. Once first team is back read the next one and so one.

Sorter has to get it in order.

Winner is the first team that has it in order.

Noisy but pretty good fun.

[passport220]

[Colorado]

I've played this with a class of 35 middle school boys. It got kind of wild and loud, but it was fun. Definately worth a try.

[xox]

what other games are good for large classes?

[ddeubel]

There are hundreds on EFL Classroom 2.0.


Go here for the most popular - BAAM. http://bit.ly/9gjhQd hundreds made and shared by teachers already. Just put them in groups and go. Appoint a scorekeeper for each group.

Price is Right really is good/interactive too. EAch group has a whiteboard and holds up the prices. The eHyundai game seems to be the most popular.

This book is a handy reference. Also search on EFL classroom 2.0 (search here is useless).

Cheers and good topic!

David
http://eflclassroom.com

[Troglodyte]

Scavenger hunt.

[Fishead soup]

[oldfatfarang]

[RufusW]