Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lhasa]

There's a mass of games on this site and I get a headache when I'm quickly looking for a good game to play.

What's your favorite? Don't have to explain it....just name it and I'll try to find it.

Thanks

[ddeubel]

Last One Standing

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[mongolian spot]

games suck.

As does deubels site

[ippy]

1. Typhoon

Easily the best "oh crap! theyve sprung a lesson on me at the last minute, but ive got nothing planned!" emergency stop gap game in the entire world of esl. Prepare typhoon cards (points, minus points, double point, bombs (minus points you give to another team), presents - same but plus points - robbers, and typhoon cards (wipe teams entire points)), and youve got a game thatll take you through any 50 minute emergency.

Also, my absolute favorite no work lesson is this:

Buy the following:

2 * Jenga
2 * Packs of cards
2 * Uno
2 * Game of life or any other board game

Split the class into around 6 groups. Let them rock paper scissors to decide who gets first choice, then let them grab a game. The only rule is the students have to say <whatever the grammar point is that day> before their turn. If they get bored with their selection they can change it any time for whatever is left. Make it a punishment game too though, and stalk them so that if you catch them playing their turn without doing the grammar point they have to stand up and do a punishment.

Ive even sent a table of students to the staff room to sing the school chorus for the funny. I use that as my nuclear option threat

Its great because unlike every other game on the planet, it can literally be used for ANYTHING. Its a bit of an initial outlay, but for lazy teaching, not only does it get the kids actually worked up, but you can use it several times a year without fatiguing them because they freaking love it.

Oh and if you want to use jenga a few times, write some numbers from 1 to 10 on the blocks. Have ten stupid things for the students to do that day (or if youre more straight laced, ten things from the dialogue), when they successfully take out a block they have to do whats on the number. If they knock it down they have to do a special punishment (which could be the full dialogue with the teacher in the style of a horror movie or something).
Again, no crappy ESL game required. Just ten or so thousand won.
What price for an easy life?

[English Matt]

[Demophobe]

[Fishead soup]

[The Gipkik]

[ddeubel]

Guys,

Thanks for the positive words. There will always be nay sayers about games/sites and I guess that's what makes life interesting. I just let it slide. Sunshine this morning, coffee ... all's good.

I just uploaded some awesome materials for playing Clue. Really easy , even low levels can play. Just copy the cards and the students make sentences to guess who did it. The teacher or person who knows who did it - confirms rights / wrongs and the students continue guessing until they solve the crime.

Here's an example of a What the Wordle, mentioned above. Just hit pause to control the pictures. Many more kinds available. The visual aspect really gets students into it.

I know every teacher has to find what works for them. But there are many reasons that games work (depending on the environment / objectives). Many. So, I'd urge teachers to use them for review, for teaching thinking skills, for assessment even.

Cheers,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[mongolian spot]

Im surprised you guys have time to english games.

You must be busy putting on your red nose, face make-up, curly wig, and large shoes.

Perhaps you could help me deubels? How the hell do you make shapes from those baloons for the kids?

[Fishead soup]

[waseige1]

[mongolian spot]

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

Whisper game and hot seat are two of my faves. uncomplicated, little props needed, useful and fun.

[jiberish]

Team spelling, 2 teams, 1 person comes up to the board from each team. You write down a letter and each person has to come up with as many words as they can starting with that letter. For the better students you can make it more difficult by making it like adjectives or verbs that start with a certain letter. Only downfall is I have to give out candy to the entire team.