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Best Games for ESL Teachers AbroadPublished on 10/08/2013 by Emma Lander
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1599 Shares These games are perfect for the ESL classroom Games and fun activities are a vital part of teaching English as a foreign language. Whether you're teaching adults or children, games will liven up your lesson and ensure that your students will leave the classroom wanting more. Games can be used to warm up the class before your lesson begins, during the lesson to give students a break when you're tackling a tough subject, or at the end of class when you have a few minutes left to kill. There are literally hundreds, probably thousands, of games that you can play with your students. EFL games are used to test vocabulary, practice conversing, learn tenses - the list is endless. This list of ten classic ESL games every teacher should know will help get you started and feeling prepared. Having these up your sleeve before stepping into the classroom will ensure your lessons run smoothly, and, should things get a little out of control, you'll be able to pull back the attention of the class in no time. Don't have a job yet? Check ourteaching job boardfor the latest openings around the world! Board Race There isn't an EFL teacher I know who doesn't use this game in the classroom. Board Race is a fun game that is used for revising vocabulary, whether it be words from the lesson you've just taught or words from a lesson you taught last week. It can also be used at the start of the class to get students active. It is a great way of testing what your students already know about the subject you're about to teach.
How to play: First, watch this helpful video of real teachers using this game in the classroom byBridgeTEFL: This is best played with 6 students or more - the more, the better. I've used it in classes ranging from 7-25 years of age and it's worked well in all age groups. Here's a step by step explanation:
2. Call My Bluff / Two Truths and A Lie Call My Bluff is a fun game which is perfect at the start of term as a 'getting to know you' kind of game. It is also a brilliant ice breaker between students if you teach classes who do not know one another -- and especially essential if you are teaching a small class size. The game is excellent for practicing speaking skills, though make sure you save a time for after the game to comment on any mistakes students may have made during the game. (I generally like to reserve this for after the game, so you don't disrupt their fluency by correcting them as they speak). With older groups you can have some real fun and you might be surprised what you'll learn about some of your students when playing this particular EFL game.
How to play:
Simon Says This is an excellent game for young learners. Whether you're waking them up on a Monday morning or sending them home on a Friday afternoon, this one is bound to get them excited and wanting more. The only danger I have found with this game is that students never want to stop playing it.
How to Play:
Take your students outside for interactive games Word Jumble Race This is a great game to encourage team work and bring a sense of competition to the classroom. No matter how old we are, we all love a good competition and this game works wonders with all age groups. It is perfect for practicing tenses, word order, reading & writing skills and grammar.
How to play: This game requires some planning before the lesson.
Hangman This classic game is a favorite for all students but it can get boring quite quickly. This game is best used for 5 minutes at the start to warm the class up or 5 minutes at the end if you've got some time left over. It works no matter how many students are in the class.
How to play: In case you've never played, here's a quick rundown.
Pictionary This is another game that works well with any age group; children love it because they can get creative in the classroom, teenagers love it because it doesn't feel like they're learning, and adults love it because it's a break from the monotony of learning a new language - even though they'll be learning as they play. Pictionary can help students practice their vocabulary and it tests to see if they're remembering the words you've been teaching.
How to play:
The Mime Miming is an excellent way for students to practice their tenses and their verbs. It's also great for teachers with minimal resources or planning time, or teachers who want to break up a longer lesson with something more interactive. It's adaptable to almost any language point that you might be focusing on. This game works with any age group, although you will find that adults tire of this far quicker than children. To keep them engaged, relate what they will be miming to your groups' personal interests as best as possible.
How to play:
Don't be afraid to be a little goofy Hot Seat This is one of my students' favorite games and is always at the top of the list when I ask them what they want to play. I have never used this while teaching ESL to adults, but I imagine it would work well. Hot Seat allows students to build their vocabulary and encourages competition in the classroom. They are also able to practice their speaking and listening skills and it can be used for any level of learner.
How to play:
9. Where Shall I Go? This game is used to test prepositions of movement and should be played after this subject has been taught in the classroom. This game is so much fun but it can be a little bit dangerous since you'll be having one student in each pair be blindfolded while the other directs them. So make sure to keep your eyes open! It is also excellent for the adult EFL classroom, or if you're teaching teenagers.
How to play:
10. What's My Problem? This is a brilliant EFL game to practice giving advice. It should be played after the 'giving advice' vocabulary lesson has taken place. It is a great way for students to see what they have remembered and what needs reviewing. This game works well with any age group, just adapt it to fit the age you're working with.
How to play:
These games will keep your students engaged and happy as they learn! Remember, these are just ten on the hundreds of different EFL games that you can plat with your students. As you get more confident in the classroom, you can start putting your own spin on games and eventually make up your own. Whatever the age of your students, they're guaranteed to love playing EFL games in the classroom. An EFL classroom should be fun, active and challenging and these games are sure to get you heading in the right direction. What games do you love to play with your ESL students? Let us know in the comments! Photo Credits: Travel to Teach.
Teenagers: Games · Share A guide to using games in the classroom with lots of games and activities. Many of these games can be used by all ages. Games make us laugh. We all like to laugh. Pleasure is very motivating. Laughter makes us more awake and relaxed – and not only I say so, so does the Department of Cognitive Psychology, University College, London. Laughter raises blood pressure just long enough to increase oxygen and blood supply to tissues. It alters the breathing cycle so that more oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide exhaled. Muscles throughout the body tense and relax during laughter in exactly the same way as with stress reduction techniques such as yoga. · If we find something funny, it is often memorable as it strikes a resonant chord within us. · Many games are competitive and while I do not like the idea of making children feel like failures when they do not win, team games promote co-operation and if teams are regularly mixed up, everyone’s a winner. · Some games rather than being amusing, encourage us to use our knowledge of the world around us rather than linguistic knowledge, which brings the world into our classroom. · If lessons are long or daily we need to have plenty of variety, while still focussing on English language development – games provide variety. · Games can be used as a ‘carrot’ with less motivated students. The promise of a game at the end of class may encourage them to complete less inspiring activities well. There’s a game there Many activities can be made into games by making them competitive. For example course books usually have grammar exercises. I get my students to work on these in ‘teams’. The teams with most right get a point and we collect points on the board during a lesson, so that points from later games and exercises can be added. The team with the most points at the end is the winner. I rarely give prizes (teachers are not rich!) but the joy of winning is enough. Again I must stress that I mix up teams form one lesson to the next so that the same students are not always the winners! The games Not all may be suitable with all ages, especially with the under eight year olds. You know your students and what their language level is, but don’t underestimate what they are capable of especially when it’s presented as a game. Date: 2016-03-03; view: 719
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