Games In English Language Teaching

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences We must up our game as ESL teachers in the 21st century – both figuratively and literally. I use games to engage students and promote learning in my classroom for a wide range of learning objectives. Below is a short list of icebreaker games that I regularly use in my classroom, and I will discuss the learning target(s) that each game aims to facilitate and deliver as well as the context in which the game is used. Since I work with high school age and adult students, the games are geared for English Language Learners in these age groups. As learning communities become more globalized and data give more information on how people learn, one major challenge I find with gamifying learning in the ESL classroom is making the games that I use more...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are many benefits to using games in the classroom, including the creation of an engaging learning experience for students, a positive learning environment, and the potential for students to practice real-life situations with instant feedback. Also, gamification of learning can use students' natural inclination for socialization, achievement, and award. Thus, games can be a great tool for teaching English as a foreign language. Reasons to use games Ready-to-use games Games in grammar and vocabulary teaching Pitfalls of using games Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tassyn M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Games are one of the most important components in an EFL classroom. Foreign language learning games can be considered as a framework to provide a meaningful context for language acquisition. Students can improve their understanding of written and spoken English via games, as well as learn new words, structures, pronunciation, and spelling, all while having a great deal of fun. The Versatility of Games in the Classroom Games Are Not Just About Having Fun The Many Benefits of Games in the Classroom Games Are Not Just For Young Learners Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Shiva R. Games can be used to warm up the class before your lesson...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas What if you could send your students for a real-life treasure hunt without changing your location. What if you could have them have a conversation with "Queen Elizabeth". What if I told you all this would be possible one day, with us changing the games we play in class from analog to digital. in this essay I will show some advantages of integrating digital games as a solid part of any teacher's daily routine for teaching English to students of any age, background or disability and hopefully establish that updating our traditional methods with the surrounding technology can lead to a more successful and effective teaching experience both for the teacher and the student alike. Using games and technology GBL So how can a video game help a teacher?...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In my years of teaching English to students aged 4 to 14, I have found that nothing brings a child more confidence than being able to do something they previously thought impossible or too challenging. Speaking in front of an entire class, having to memorize speeches or dialogues, and being put on the spot in general can all pose a huge challenge for students and can often end in hurt pride and a lowering of confidence. I have seen students hang their heads in shame as they return to their seats after giving an almost perfect speech, hyper fixating on one single mistake that elicited a laugh or two from their audience. While serious practice and formal testing are all part of learning, having the confidence to face these challenges is...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Games are a useful tool for teachers of EFL students because they help with motivation, engagement, and graceful failure (Plass 260-261). I will present a successful example of a teacher using games in an adult grammar class from Indonesia. Second, since I plan to teach online EFL students, I will present free digital games online teachers can use in their virtual classrooms. Advantages of the Theory The First Research Popular Games Access to Materials My Choice Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Christopher C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Many professional articles have been written showing...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences To begin with, I' like to say that I'm pretty excited about writing this summary since this course was an interesting online journey and there are some things to share, indeed. Role of Games Personal Experience Power of Games Are you ready to teach English all over the world? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Denys L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The games play an extremely important role in teaching and particularly/especially during my classes! I consider this to be not just one of the teaching techniques, but the solid, essential, natural, and extremely useful part of the whole world of education. All of us, no...  [Read more]

1. Introduction to ESL Teaching Games for Kids 2. Benefits of Using Games in ESL Classes 3. Types of ESL Teaching Games for Kids 4. Tips for Implementing ESL Games Effectively Incorporating games into ESL (English as a Second Language) classes for kids can make learning fun and engaging. Games provide an interactive way for children to practice and enhance their language skills in a stress-free environment. Whether you are a new teacher looking for fresh ideas or an experienced educator wanting to spice up your lessons, using games can benefit both you and your students. There are numerous advantages to utilizing games in ESL classes for kids. Firstly, games help create a positive and enjoyable learning atmosphere, which can increase student motivation and participation. Additionally,...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas ESL games are games that can be used in the classroom to practice certain language points and encourage active and creative communication between your students. Common misconceptions about games in the classroom How to use games in the classroom Good resources for games to use in the EFL classroom Listen to this blog post Get creative and have fun while teaching English abroad! Related Articles: There are many different games created specifically for use in the English language classroom that can be found online or in any number of resource books. But we are not limited only to those games designed for the class; the majority of games that we played as children or still play as adults can be adapted and used in lessons. Whether games are co-operative or...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences When an English speaker is traveling in the Philippines, it is not uncommon for a friendly conversation with a local to end with the local stating they have a nosebleed and escape from the conversation. In Filipino culture, nosebleeds indicate that the brain is too stressed. Although Filipinos pride themselves in being fluent in English, many are not as confident to speak it when the time requires. BACKGROUND: Too Anxious to Speak INTRODUCTION: Work VS Play MOTIVATION SETTING CONFIDENCE CONCLUSION Are you ready to teach English in an ESL or EFL classroom? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Terence L. This phenomenon of foreign language speaking anxiety is not limited to just the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Using games in the classroom is beneficial for better student learning. Games are helpful when introducing new content, enhancing the learning process, or reviewing learned material. A low-stress atmosphere in the classroom is created easily by adding games. From Gap fill to Fizz Bizz to I Spy they can help the teacher maintain a positive attitude and establish rapport with students. Games create an environment where students want to participate and aren't afraid of correction or failure. Researches on the point Games can be used for all language means Technology and games The importance of games Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ellen P. Vince...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas As a new teacher, grammar was initially very difficult for me to teach. It was difficult to demonstrate grammar patterns succinctly. Luckily, the school that I work for has provided help by having an established curriculum. The key to teaching grammar, however, has been teaching variable inputs in otherwise unchanging structures as part of student-centered games. Strategies on how to teach positive patterns How to teach negative patterns? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Stephen W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. If I were to teach the pattern, "What does Billy like?/ He likes _____", then I...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Games are seen as time wasted. According to my, it is a pointless prejudice. Because some people suppose playing games in the classroom can only be as computer games; on the contrary, fun in the school is more instructive for students' self-improvement. Meanwhile, the research has shown that the classroom games affect students positively, such as having more motivation, having a controlled competitive environment, strategy simulator, peer positive, less stress, enhanced memory, class cooperation, and new knowledge. We will see how games are essential in our education. Motivation Methodology Benefits Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video...  [Read more]

In the field of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), incorporating games and activities is a popular and effective method to engage students and enhance their language learning experience. Games and activities can range from simple word puzzles to more complex role-playing scenarios, all designed to make the learning process more interactive and enjoyable for students. By integrating these fun elements into lessons, teachers can create a dynamic and stimulating environment that motivates students to actively participate and practice their language skills. There are numerous benefits to using games and activities in TEFL teaching. Firstly, games make learning enjoyable and can help alleviate the stress and pressure often associated with language learning. They provide a break from...  [Read more]

Sara Stojanovic TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas With the introduction of technology, teaching English as a foreign language has changed a lot. Computers opened many new doors for both the teacher and the students. Technology has allowed us to use many resources that were unavailable before. Kahoot Scavenger Hunt Tow Truths One Lie Conclusion Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! With the outbreak of the pandemic, most of the language teaching and learning switched to the online variant. Despite having all the previously stated advantages, online language teaching can be challenging as well. When the teacher is not physically present, the students can get distracted...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas "Who wants to play a game?" I would ask my students this question whenever I start a lesson. The resounding answer would always be, "Me!" In all my years of teaching, I have yet to see a student refuse to play a game. Games are effective teaching tools because it makes learning interesting and fun. I can tell you more reasons why games are good for teaching. Now let me give at least six of them. Listen to this blog post: 1. Practical Importance 2. Social Importance 3. Critical Thinking 4. Memory 5. Creative Thinking 6. Confidence Related Articles: Firstly, games make you practice a lot. As the saying goes, 'practice makes perfect.' In everything you do, whenever you play a game over and over, your mind gets better at it too. For example, when students...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information In the teaching of productive skills and the teaching of receptive skills activities will usually involve some form of game and our consideration here will be the use of games in the classroom. Watch the video about this topic A game is an activity that; Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! We can start with a definition of what we actually mean by a game and basically this has three components. 1) Has rules2) Should have (for its use in the classroom) a teaching point 3) Should include an element of fun So that will be our working definition for a game that we are going to use in the classroom. There are many different types of games and they range...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences All humans are raised with an innate love for games. Since we were all children, playing games was our pastime activity. When comes to teaching either young learners or adults, in-class games are the foundation stone of learning. Business English The Effect of Games Strategy Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Pavlina M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching Business English (BE) to clients/adults must be a fun procedure. There are many reasons why a teacher must use games when teaching English in class regardless of students' age or occupation. To begin with, students can learn with...  [Read more]

In a TEFL setting, incorporating games and activities is crucial for engaging students and enhancing language learning. Games and activities make the learning process more enjoyable and interactive, motivating students to participate actively in the lessons. They provide a fun and relaxed environment that reduces anxiety and fear of making mistakes, allowing students to practice language skills in a low-pressure setting. Moreover, games and activities help improve students' retention of vocabulary and grammar rules by making learning memorable and meaningful. There are various types of games and activities that can be used in a TEFL classroom to promote language learning. Vocabulary games such as word searches, bingo, and memory matching help students learn new words in a fun way. Grammar...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In the following essay, I consider something like a continuum from task to the game to assessment, but only in the bookend learning moments of "input" and "output." I often think of learners in my classrooms as a gray box—not quite a "black box," the inner workings of which are completely mysterious, but a thing into which we only ever have uncertain, provisional insight. We can do all sorts of theorizing about language acquisition and psychometry but will never have anything as exact as a litmus test. However accurate my notion is, it motivates me to focus on things that are much more knowable and observable: the inputs and outputs of a learning situation. My Personal Experience Teacher as a Medium of Real Life Communication Activate Phase of The...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When we start to learn new things as children, we tend to do that with the help of games. That is why in many classrooms of young learners, we find games to be a highly popular medium amongst educators. It is a way of absorbing and processing a piece of information in a fun and educational way. But when we grow up, we somehow forget the necessity of games in the classroom. Ice Breaker Ways to Include Games into Your Lesson What Games to Choose? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Anna B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. When it comes to learning a second language, children immerse themselves in...  [Read more]

There are many games that can be used in the TEFL classroom, from simple games that only require a pen and a whiteboard to more elaborate board games. There are some games that have been specifically designed to be used in English language classes, while other, everyday games that we usually play for fun can also be adapted to be used with your students. You can even create your own games! There are many misconceptions about using games in the classroom. Some people believe that studying should be serious and that there is no place for this kind of “entertainment” in the classroom. Others believe that games are only for children and that adults are not interested in playing when they should be studying. Neither of these assertions is true, research and experience has shown...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas "Play is our brain's favorite way of learning" – Diane Ackerman. Game Rules Adaptability to Age Differences Other Groups Types Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Danila E. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I could not agree more with the quote above as playing games in the classroom has many advantages:The main thing needed for a successful process of learning is, of course, motivation. And playing games certainly increases students' interest and their willingness to participate in the class....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Games have many elements that make them a powerful learning tool, many of them related to communication, collaboration, and a competitive motive that drives children and adults to do their best, encourage them to be creative, and use imagination. Playing games in the classroom have so many benefits and applying different approaches is not only a necessity in today's context but also a way for the teacher to feel personal satisfaction with their work. Researches show that game-based learning fosters student creativity and enhances learning levels. The classroom is the place, where students feel comfortable to participate in activities and to explore and to study. When teachers are in the classroom it is important to understand student's behavior....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas "As an ESL teacher, you may feel that your students aren't paying attention, or participating in class even though you have the perfect lesson plan." Teaching Tool Icebreaker Rapport building and confidence boost Observing tool Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Angela G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The thought of playing or using games as a teaching tool inside the classroom may sound intriguing, whether you're a student, a parent of a student, a tutor, a friend of a student or someone just interested in gaining more insight into either learning or teaching English as a second language....  [Read more]

  The Power of Gamification in Teaching Incorporating Gamification in ESL Curriculum Benefits of Gamified Learning Environments Gamification Tools and Platforms for English Teaching Designing Engaging Gamified English Lessons Overcoming Challenges in Gamification Implementation Gamification for Different English Proficiency Levels Assessing Student Progress in Gamified Classes Professional Development in Gamified Teaching The Future of Gamification in English Language Education Gamification in teaching English is a powerful tool that leverages game elements to enhance learning experiences. By integrating game mechanics such as points, levels, and rewards into lessons, educators can increase student engagement and motivation. ITTT is a leading provider of TEFL and TESOL courses that...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas A lot of activities can be settled and performed in a classroom to teach a non-native language. From tasks until routine exercises, a wide range of dynamics might be applied for a teacher. But games have different and unique features for a lesson, and its matter and characteristics need to be debated for developing consistent teaching of content. What is a Game? What is the Game for? Game Directions Sense of Competence Communication Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Fábio A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First of all, it must keep in mind the concept of a game, which could be described as...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas "Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play, children learn how to learn." O. Fred Donaldson (Pulitzer nominated author, and renowned play researcher). Traditional Approach Two Styles of Teaching Effects of Game Play What Games to Use? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kristel-Ann I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In a traditional school, students are expected to study the lesson from the book and from what the teacher discussed. It is a straight discussion without activities, and evaluation is through worksheets. They could only play games after school hours. Nowadays, schools...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The use of games in the class can activate the atmosphere of learning, reduce learning pressure, and stimulate learning interest more. Independent and selective learning is good for developing students' multiple intelligenceand promoting the formation of good feelings. There are five benefits of games in the classroom. Listen to this blog post: Creating positive atmosphere Stimulating interest in learning Positive attitude Good feelings Intelligence Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Michael F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The first is reducing students' learning pressure. Students are...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Learning English as a foreign language can sometimes become overwhelming. When people seek to learn English, their reasons can vary immensely. It could be because they want to travel to an English-speaking country, or it is possible that they are interested in English literature, or maybe it's their job requirement. In any case, their time in the class is important to them. Besides lots of expectations, there are also many inhibitions to overcome, and little time. Games are the most powerful tool to help release pressure, boost motivation and create a fun, friendly, positive learning environment. Games are very effective to increase confidence. Games can be used to practice target vocabulary and grammar. Games bring students together. Are you ready to...  [Read more]