Teaching English Using Games

1. Teaching English Using Games

5. The Rules of Playing Games • A game must be more than just fun. • A game should involve “friendly” competition. • A game should keep all of the pupils involved and interested. • A game should encourage pupils to focus on the use of language. • A game should give pupils a chance to learn, practice or review specific language material. • A game should be familiar by children.

8. Game 1 • Mother, May I…? • Directions: There are children and one “mother”. Pupils have to ask permission from the “mother” before making a move. Pupils are using language to try to get close to “mother”. The one who gets there first will be “mother” next time.

9. Example: Pupil 1: Mother, may I take 3 baby steps? Mother: Yes you may. Pupil 2: Mother, may I take 5 large leaps? Mother: No, but you may take 1 small leap. Debriefing: This can be used for asking questions, learning vocabulary (size, numbers, words of motion), politeness.

10. Game 2 • Find a Pair • Directions: Teacher takes 12 picture cards of fruit. There are two cards with apples, two with oranges and so on. He puts the cards face down on the table. Children have to find two the same and say what they are. The person who has the most pairs at the end wins the game. • Debriefing: This game can be used for reviewing learnt vocabulary.

11. Game 3 • Jeopardy Review • Directions: Have 5-7 grammar categories. Each category has 4-6 questions worth from 200 to 1000 points. Split the class into teams. The first team must choose a category and an amount. The harder questions are worth more points. Have one pupil keep track of points on the board. Pupils love this. • Debriefing: This game can be used for reviewing grammar material before a test.