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Game On – Using Icebreaker Games in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
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]
Games as a Game-Changer in an ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
7 Non-Trivial Online ESL Games - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
There are many famous games used by TEFL teachers that students know like the back of their hand. If you want to change up your online lessons and bring even more fun in your teaching, check out these seven non-trivial online ESL games to help you in every stage of the TEFL class.
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1. Connect The Dots
2. Simon Says
3. Online Word Chain
4. Catchphrase
5. I Went to The Market and Bought
6. Don't Say Yes or No
7. Would You Rather?
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For this activity, you will need to prepare a digital image and share it with a student during the online class. You... [Read more]
Top 3 ESL Games for Teaching Online - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
ESL teaching games for kids - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
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]
Online ESL Game Design Workshop for Teachers - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Hello everybody and welcome to the ITTT weekly live stream. It's Liza here and I'm super excited that this stream happens every week and we can talk about teaching and TEFL and stuff like that. So welcome and thank you for joining me.
Watch the live session here
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Today, we are going to talk about online ESL game design. Last week I started showing you the game I was designing, it was Monopoly. Today I'm going to show you the outcome of the game and also tell you a little bit more about online game design.
Thanks a lot for letting me know that you are watching and right now please let me know at what stage of your ESL career... [Read more]
ESL Games For Better Teaching Results - TEFL Blog
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
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Playing Games in an ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
The Writing Game - ESL Board Game - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This board game aims to put more fun (and competition) into writing. With the prompts given on each square, players or teams try to make sentences and get to the finish line first.
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Features of ESL Games in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
Why Use Games in Your ESL Lessons? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Trying to make your class fun and exciting for young learners can be quite difficult at times. The best way to get around teaching young learners is to add games in each lesson. Kids can learn a foreign language without really trying, they soak up the new language like a sponge. It is up to the teacher to be the facilitator in the learning process and make it happen. To be effective in the classroom you have to be able to engage with your young students. By making your lessons lively and interesting you can achieve just that.
Reasons to use games
Games in the classroom can also improve cooperation with other children.
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Edgar... [Read more]
Most Popular Games in the ESL Teaching - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
Online Esl Game Design Workshop For Teachers Miro Canva Power Point - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Open description to navigate through the chapters! ✅ This live session will talk about game design for online ESL lessons based on a famous board game - Monopoly. As a bonus, everyone who'll stay till the end of the event will get a Monopoly template for Miro! #TEFL#BestTEFL #TeachEnglishOnline Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: https://bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: https://bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: https://bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want: https://bit.ly/3ltqEPL Mentioned in the video: Canva 30-days trial for amazing visual design: https://bit.ly/3rlsQf0 Miro Collaborative Whiteboard: https://bit.ly/3lOiwe6 Plugins for Miro... [Read more]
7 Great Games for Your ESL Conversation Class - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
Teaching speaking skills is an important part of an ESL class. Sometimes, entire conversation classes are established that focus solely on speaking. Here are 7 great games for your ESL conversation class.
1. Mystery Party Guest
2. Choose Your Victim
3. Ice-breaker Jenga
4. 20 Questions
5. Apples to Apples
6. Get to Know You Bingo
7. Create A Game
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Write down the names and key points about five celebrities and assign them to the same amount of students in your classroom. One by one, a student enters a "party" with another student playing the host. The host must then find out the identity of each guest by having a conversation with everyone.
Have your students stand in a circle. Choose a specific... [Read more]
The Most Useful Games in The ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Nowadays there is a wide variety of how to teach English. Every teacher uses his or her unique methodologies and techniques to make lessons more informative and entertaining. One of the approaches could be using educational games in the classroom.
Games in the classroom are a great tool for teachers as they can be adapted to different ages and levels.
Furthermore, playing games motivate kids to study better and naturally use English.
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kristina S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Within this essay, I would like to clarify why using games in the classroom for... [Read more]
Five Fun and Adaptable Games for ESL Classes - TEFL Blog
Shirin Sophy
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Today's pedagogical approaches put considerable emphasis upon the importance of providing students with the opportunity to have a joyful educational experience through adding enough and well-located variety to the lessons. One practical way to do so is designing and adding aimful games to your plan in order to inject positive energy into your lessons, improve the mood of your class and make your lessons stick in students' long-term memory.
Pizza game
Hot seat
Hot potato
Spelling games
Whisper chain
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Since not only young learners but also grownups enjoy playing fun games while taking English lessons,... [Read more]
Games and Their Role in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
7 Games to Cheer On Your ESL Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Defining games for kids can open up a broad prospect but in this topic, we are going to specifically talk about the various games that kids can not only enjoy but can incorporate in their learning curriculum.
1. Monopoly
2. Pictionary
3. Taboo
4. Tongue twisters
5. Bingo
6. Charades
7. Hangman
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Playing games in the classroom helps kids to feel more relaxed and friendly with the teachers.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sonal L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Learning becomes more of a fun activity for them rather than the same boring schedule which makes them lethargic and least interested in studying.... [Read more]
Top 3 Tools For Creating Interactive EFL Activities - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
The online mode of teaching has become a primary one in the COVID-19 era. For many teachers, remote work is not easy especially due to a different approach to creating materials.
Listen to this blog post:
1. Google Slides
2. LearningApps
3. WordWall
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If you still struggle with games and activities for your activate phase of the lesson, take a look at the following three tools that can help you to versatile your Zoom classes and make your students super happy!
Yes, it's that easy! This tool is like a magic wand for ESL teachers because it's easy to use and very flexible in adjusting dozens of favorite... [Read more]
How Games in the Classroom Create Valuable Lessons - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Most everyone has a favorite game that they play over and over again. Games go further than just a simple competitive interaction between two people or teams. In a way, games teach the average person how to navigate life with two outcomes; either the joy of winning or the disappointment of losing. Although it is not necessarily bad to lose it is an inevitable outcome for each person who participates. The idea is to learn from the failure to gain experience in which you can strategize a new way to achieve victory. The act of winning is simply the reward for playing the game as it is expected to be played. The main concept of games is competition and how we as human beings are constantly competing whether we realize it or not. As we go about our day to day... [Read more]
The Importance of Using Games in the ESL Environment - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
One of the things I have learned in this course is the importance of motivation. Both teachers and students have to be motivated so that the teaching and learning environment in the classroom can be a fun and enjoyable experience.
The Easiest Way to Motivate
Class Starter
Experience Exchange
Great Ideas
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Carol T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
There are many ways a teacher can motivate the student to learn, and one of the tools is the use of playing games in the classroom. Games are effective because aside from keeping the students interested, they are a great... [Read more]
Games as a Teaching Method for Adult ESL Students - TEFL Blog
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?
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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]
6 Striking Benefits of Games in the ESL Class - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Games are one of the most important components in the classroom. They include activities that have goals and rules at the same fun time. There are lots of benefits to playing games in the classroom. Students can practice important skills by playing an educational game in a small group or with a partner. Whole class games are great means to review skills for a test or at the end of the unit. When students need a brain break or during an inside recess, action games work perfectly. Games can be given for homework to provide fun, engaging and differentiated practice. Games can be played in all subjects and at all grade levels. Games are fun as well as beneficial. Here are important benefits that we should use games in the classroom:
1. Games are motivating... [Read more]
Why Games are an Integral Part of ESL Classrooms - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Learning an unfamiliar language is no easy feat and with the globalization of the English language, more and more people are faced with the task of learning English to better their lives. It is no secret that English is one of the more difficult languages to learn given its many peculiarities and the lack of clues to pronunciation. This makes learning English not only more complicated but often frustrating for students who have difficulties understanding certain concepts. This is where games can have a huge impact.
Motivation and Interest
Confidence
Needs
Useful Materials
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Randi B. Please note that this blog post might not... [Read more]
Top Tips for Playing Games During the ESL Class - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Learning foreign languages is a very exciting and very responsible deal. A significant role in teaching foreign languages, in particular, English, belongs to games in the classroom. Games enhance students' mental activity, helps them consolidate material of the lesson, therefore it's a very important activity. The developing value of the game we can find in itself, because where is a game - there is emotion. Where is emotion, there are attention improvisation and imagination.
How to Implement Games?
Teacher's Part
Examples of Games
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ivan S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions... [Read more]
The Importance of Games Usage in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Why are games important? Why do we play games? How do people play games in the class? These are the questions people usually ask.
Students learn through the process of playing the game.
Inactive stage of the class.
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jessie l. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Normally their concern is what they can learn from the games? In my opinion, playing games in the classroom is not only for fun but also for practicing and reviewing what you have learned. In my class I have always enjoyed playing games, I have used many different games as well.
Students may be able to understand a new... [Read more]
Flashcard Games for ESL 5-7 Years Age Groups - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Games are often used in the classroom to aid in the learning process. They are effective in keeping attention and interest by making learning fun. Flashcards are a useful tool when learning English and can be used in many games and activities. Flashcards can contain anything from pictures of fruits and animals to numbers and vocabulary words. The website eslkidsstuff.com provides many different games involving flashcards. All games could be adapted to any level of a learner, but the following games were chosen for younger children keeping in mind their need to move around and have fun to remain focused and interested. "But a child's attention span - their willingness to stay rooted in one activity- is often fairly short." (Harmer, 2007)
Musical... [Read more]
Games in the Classroom: What are EFL games? - TEFL Blog
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!
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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]
Games in an ESL Classroom: Are They Really That Important? - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Did you say games in a classroom? Is that even possible? Many people around the world cannot imagine or accept that education can be fun too. However, it is very important to motivate, entertain and vary the class activities in order to avoid class boredom. Entertainment in class is also important because it helps to establish rapport in the class (it creates a relaxed, fun and motivated environment) and it works as an evaluation tool (gives us information about the student's' knowledge). One particularly telling definition of games was explained by Diane Ackerman, a famous American poet and essayist, who stated that "Play is our brain's favorite way of learning".
Building Class Relationships With Games
Using Games as a Evaluation Tool
Yes,... [Read more]
How Games Help Students to Learn in an ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Games play an essential role in students' language acquisition regardless of other numerous sources they can be exposed to. Other sources include pictures, stories, poems, flashcards, videos and so on and so forth. Flashcards, for example, serve the purpose of a visual stimulus and aim to help visual learners in particular. The visual learning style often refers to a way of learning in which a person acquires language when information is associated with images. What about other learning styles? This essay aims to emphasize the importance of games in the classroom context and how beneficial they are for language acquisition.
The Importance of Games
Example Game: Pictionary
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... [Read more]
