Introduction
A language game is an activity which both
the teacher and students enjoy doing and is fun. The main objective of using
games in class is to get students to relax into and enjoy using the language. Games can be
used at any stage in a lesson: at the beginning to diagnose what the students can or
cannot do; during the lesson for language practice purposes; or at the end as
reinforcement and 'reward'.Some teachers think that playing a game in class is
difficult to organize, or that it results in chaos! Sometimes it does, it depends on the
game and on the teacher's managerial skills. However, the following game can be played
with a group of young learners (or old learners), and does not result in a lot of noise.
Neither does it require any preparation.
Think Fast
Aim: to practice items of old and newly learnt vocabulary.
Class time: variable, but usually frequent short sessions of the game are better
than one long session. Sometimes it may be best to set a time limit on the game so that
the game has an identifiable end. Then, the student who has given the most words is the
winner.
Preparation time: none
Resources: a paper ball, or soft ball
Procedure:
- Select a group of students to come out to the front of the class. Perhaps one student
from each row. You need around 6 or 7 students for each round of the game.
- Ask the students to stand in a circle.
- Write a vocabulary topic on the board, e.g. clothes, transport, food.
- Tell the students that you will give the ball to one of them. That student must say a
word related to the vocabulary topic before s/he throws the ball to someone else in
the group. Whenever the student is given the ball, s/he must say a word related to the
topic within five seconds otherwise they are 'out' and must sit down. The last student to
sit down is the winner. If the topic is 'clothes' then you might expect something like:
S1: shoes (throws ball)
S2: shirt (throws ball)
S3: hat ... and so on.
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Caveats:
- You can play the game with the same topic many times, even in one lesson. For instance,
the first time you play the game ask a 'good' group of students who you know will be able
to handle the vocabulary well to form the group. Then, after they have finished the game,
form another group with weaker students to play the game with the same topic. In this way,
the weaker students will benefit from hearing the vocabulary first before they try to play
the game.
- Remember to have a strict rule that only those who are playing the game can say a word.
All the other students must sit quietly. Otherwise the game becomes a shambles with lots
of different students shouting out words.
- Once the students have the idea of Think Fast, you can set the topic of the game
as homework. Students then think about the vocabulary topic and may even try to learn some
new words on their own in preparation for the game.
Lindsay Miller
Department of English
City University of Hong Kong |
