Using Games to Teach ESL
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Reference Education -> subcategory Language.
Using Games to Teach ESL
Overview
Teaching English as a second language (ESL) can be challenging, particularly when trying to keep students engaged. Making learning enjoyable and effortless helps ensure that students not only understand the material but also retain it. Since language hinges on meaning and context, immersing students in the experience of language can greatly enhance their learning. One effective way to achieve this is through games.
Benefits of Using Games
Lee Su Kim, the author of "Creative Games for Learning Class," emphasizes that games help sustain students' interest in learning by fostering interaction and communication. As language fundamentally serves as a tool for communication, games encourage students to practice English naturally.
Creating a relaxed learning environment reduces student anxiety, which in turn, makes it easier for them to absorb new information. Ideally, students should be able to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-life situations.
Effective Use of Games
Incorporating games into ESL instruction requires thoughtful planning and execution. They should not be mere icebreakers or fillers, but integral components of the instructional strategy. Used correctly, games can be powerful motivational tools. Here are a couple of suggested games and their applications:
Charades
Divide the class into small groups and partition the board accordingly. Each group selects one member to draw a phrase and another to guess what it is. The rest act as coaches. The instructor presents a phrase to the representatives, and the first group to guess wins the round. Keep the rounds brief to encourage quick thinking and communication. This activity is particularly effective for reviewing idiomatic expressions.
Guessing Game
Write a word on a piece of paper and attach it to a student's back without them seeing it. Do the same for all participants. Students can ask each other up to three yes-or-no questions to figure out their word. This game is ideal for those with a basic understanding of sentence structure and serves as an introduction to formulating questions, which involves reversing word order.
Using games not only makes learning fun but also enhances the overall educational experience by allowing students to practice real-world language skills.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Using Games to Teach ESL.
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