Using Games to Make Language Learning Interesting, Innovative, and Fun
November 22nd, 2008Games are Useful in Language Learning
We can successfully use games in the language learning classroom to teach and practice numerous skills including:
Vocabulary
Spelling
Grammar and structure
Idioms and expressions
Pronunciation
Listening and speaking
Factors Affecting Choice of Games
What kinds of games we can use will depend on their intended purpose. Whether it’s to introduce a topic, practice a particular skill or aspect, or reinforce previous learning topics games help by providing much-valued practice while effectively lowering the affective filter of the students (Krashen and Terrell, 1993). Other factors which can impact our choice of games are:
The number of students
The size of the classroom
Classroom environmental aspects
Length of time
Materials, realia or aids available
Kinds of Games
We can vary the kinds of games considerably to help our students to make learning interesting, innovative and more fun. Useful and commonly-practiced games available for almost all teaching and learning venues consist of:
Board games
TPR and physical movement games
Inter-active games
Strategy games
Online and computer games
Create Good Language Learners
By using a wide variety of language learning games in the EFL or ESL classroom the teacher is able to promote a number of qualities which positively contribute to a lowered affective filter and improved language acquisition. You should include games among your strategies to promote these qualities that make for a good language learner (Rubin, 1975)
Willing and accurate guessing
Language related Risk-taking
Uninhibited communication
Spontaneous language practice
Self-monitoring of speech
Attention to language meaning
Where and How
Where you can get an ongoing variety of pre-produced games, how to use them creatively in the EFL or ESL classroom and techniques for creating your own games customized to meet the needs of your students will be discussed in future postings.
Prof. Larry M. Lynch is a bi-lingual copywriter, expert author and photographer specializing in business, travel, food and education-related writing in South America. His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News and Brazil magazines. He lives in Colombia and teaches at a university in Cali. Want lots more free tips, help and information on learning English or another foreign language? Go now to: http://bettereflteacher.blogspot.com/
Tags: EFL, English, ESL, language acquisition, language learning games