Games are an effective and valuable tool for teaching and learning in both the ESL classroom and the regular classroom. Games provide a fun way to acquire, digest, and express new knowledge. There are a variety of games that encourage and foster learning. The teacher should express expectations and effectively implement the use of games in the classroom. Everyone wants to take part in an active and energetic class.

Games are useful for learning for several reasons. They break the monotony of the typical classroom setting. They are fun and create a sense of play instead of learning. They allow the lessons to become more student oriented rather than teacher oriented. They challenge students to use and apply their new found knowledge. They provide incentive or motivation to learn the language especially to win the game. Games also teach students how to interact effectively with each other. They encourage team work, kindness, and good sportsmanship. Games are an amazing instrument to teach more than just knowledge. They also teach excellent character traits. Games are extremely important to the success and fun of everyone in the classroom.

There are many types of games that can be incorporated into the classroom. They really can be used anywhere throughout the lesson in order to make class more exciting or to break it up. Some of the most typical games used in the ESL classroom are hangman, pictionary, charades, and word searches. Many of the games are old childhood favorites. Other games can be easily created with a beanbag or ball. There are also a plethora of games found on the internet or in books. Games may vary according to the age students in a class. For younger students, using games with more movement is helpful. There are many games available online, in books, in creative minds, or in memories that can be utilized and integrated into the class.

Games can be very fun when properly administered. It’s important to make sure as a teacher that you explain the rules and process in clear and simple terms. Students sometimes need to be reminded of the teacher’s expectations when playing. All students enjoy friendly competition. Just be sure to foster the friendly competition with specific rules on respect and kindness. Everyone can be successful and truly benefit from a properly taught game.

Games can be especially useful in the ESL classroom. Learning a foreign language is extremely strenuous and can be quite boring. Games enable the acquisition and practice of different language elements in a fun and amusing setting. Games in the ESL classroom encourage communication in English and allow for practice of the various skills including writing, reading, speaking, and listening. They are truly an effective way to engage and entertain students in attaining and using the language.

If you include games in your lesson plans, your class is sure to be lively and pleasurable. All students, young or old, enjoy playing games. Games are a necessary and integral part of an exciting and dynamic classroom.

References:

• Kim, Lee Su 'Forum' Vol. 33 No 1, January - March 1995, Page 35.
• Vernon, Shelley How to Effectively use Games in the Preschool and Elementary ESL Classroom article 87, 02/24/2007
• Graham, Richard; Elementary School EFL ESL Games!

Andrea Burnett