Teacher Discussion Forums

Dear colleagues,

I would like to ask you to write some ideas on the following topic: What should I be aware of while using games and funny activities at English lessons? or What can happen if I dont use these activities the right way?

I was asked to give a seminar on Games topic and I would like to see it from different perspectives and share the ideas and opinions with my colleagues.

Thank you very much for your time and effort.

Have a beautiful day,

Luba from Slovakia

The most important thing to be aware of is: your goal.

Some teachers just let kids play games to fill time. That's not an effective goal. It's much better to have goals that include not just having fun, but also practicing specific language points that have already been introduced and mostly understood. Almost any game is okay if it has a good language learning rationale behind it (and it's fun--fun is important to increase language learning motivation and is therefore a goal, too).

-EH

thank you

Before using any games a teacher should determine exactly what the game actually teaches. Many games are 'fun' but teach little or nothing of the target language. The classroom should be primarily a risk free environment in which all students feel confident enough to involve themselves in whatever is taking place. This priority stands above fun, or games.

My experience has shown me that teaching with games is the most effective way to teach to have a motivated class, and to give pupils the greatest possible talking time. Something to watch out for is that the game really does involve the whole class, or most of the class most of the time. There are plenty of games out there where in fact most of the class just sit passively while one student says or does something - and this is not that far removed from traditional teaching methods, even though a game is being used.

Do you use games as a reward at the end of a lesson or are they more often the main activity? Would you consider filling an entire lesson (of say 40 minutes) with a game? Personally, I think motivation is the key - if children are having fun, they are generally more motivated to speak the target language and will necessarily learn more. There is no duller way for children to learn a language than through the use of endless worksheets and grammar-based activities (in my opinion of course!)

Hello,

To reply to the question in the previous post, it depends on the level of my class.

For beginners I teach exclusively with games and throw in the odd activity sheet for children over 6 - although I also use writing games for the over 6.

I try and stay away from hundred of photocopies of an activity sheet which takes 2 minutes to complete. I also stay away from colouring in and arts and crafts - which are of course worthwhile things to do - but in a language class I think there are better ways to use the time.

For intermediates there is a mix, and for advanced students I use fewer games, and replace these instead with quizzes, tests, and discussions.

Regardless of the level I use games to teach new vocabulary - it's fast and effective. I also use games to introduce new grammar, and for revision.

For a very large class, which may be difficult to control, there are certain games which I use where people have a chance to speak, and which you can play without the classroom becoming chaotic.

If you would like to see some examples of the games I use, please go to www.teachingenglishgames.com and sign up - it's free and you can sign off any time.

Kind regards
Shelley

Shelley - thanks so much for your reply. You have reassured me as i will soon be teaching my first ever primary age efl class and had thought I might predominently use games. I wonder how you make sure there is a progression during the term? My classes will be large with a huge ability range so that is my main concern. Thanks for your link to your website. I'm sure it'll be a great help.