The Power of Games
This time, the materials are taken mainly from Lewis and Bedson (1999)
Why use games in EFL classroom?
¨ Games are fun and children like to play them.
¨ Games add variation to a lesson and increase motivation by providing a plausible incentive to use the target language.
¨ Playing games is a vital and natural part of growing up and learning.
¨ Through games children experiment, discover, and interact with their environment.
What is Language Game?
¨ A language game is a game that emphasizes on language practice/ language use
¨ Language games are a healthy challenge to a child analytical thought.
¨ What makes language game different from other activities is the presence of a visible set of rules which guide the children’s actions and an element of strategy – children must successfully apply their language skills.
Basic points to consider in using games
¨ A game must be more than just fun
¨ Play different games from lesson to lesson
¨ Vary the order in which you play games
¨ Always end an activity when the fun is still at its peak
¨ Think ahead
¨ Making games into part of the syllabus
Integrating games into syllabus
¨ Games can either supplement the core material or replacement of activities
¨ Games can fill the materials which are not covered in the curriculum
¨ Games can make lesson planning easier
¨ Games can serve as a valuable backup if something unexpected happens
¨ Games can be used to introduce new materials, to practice, to relax or energize a class
Rousing and Settling games
¨ Rousers Games
- wake a class up, get the adrenalin going
- movement games and games where there is an element of competition
¨ Settlers Games
- calm a class down,
- craft activities and games which focus on listening and also computer/internet games
Useful game-playing terms
¨ It’s my/your/his/her turn
¨ Whose turn is it?
¨ You’re out
¨ Roll the dice
¨ Shuffle the cards
¨ Don’t peek (look)
¨ No cheating
¨ Make a circle
¨ Line up
¨ Turn around
¨ Shut your eyes
¨ Pass the ball, doll, etc.
¨ Discard (throw away)
¨ Deal the cards
¨ Move one step forward/backward
¨ Spin the ball
Game types
¨ Movement games
¨ Card games
¨ Board games
¨ Dice games
¨ Drawing games
¨ Guessing games
¨ Role-play games
¨ Singing and chanting games
¨ Team games
¨ Word games
