200 games for the foreign language classroom

In language classes, learners assume that they have to be successful in the target language that they do not know. In addition to this, learners can feel much anxiety about potentially being criticized or even punished by their teacher when they make a mistake. To combat this, games are essential as they can help to reduce anxiety , increase positive feelings and improve self-confidence because there is no fear of punishment and criticism for learners when they are practicing the target language freely.

Games are a great way to practice new vocabulary. Instead of going home and memorizing word lists, they actually get to use them, which, in turn, helps them remember more. Games can also help students to get rid of inhibitions when it comes to actually speaking the language, which is a problem for many students. Games help them to be more creative and spontaneous when using the language, helping them overcome shyness.

In fact, games can help students enhance their communication skills in general, even outside of the classroom. In fact, in many cases adults are even more nervous than children when it comes to communication and trying new things in the classroom. However, in a friendly competitive environment, they can often become less afraid to ask questions or re-frame their own thoughts.

Games can help them to better convey their thoughts and intentions to their teammates. Of course you do! You were learning to count, to reason, to develop strategies, to negotiate, to debate and argue, to make decisions, to think critically. Even when you were thinking to yourself, you were still developing skills in your first language!

If playing games is so beneficial for initial language acquisition, why not use them in the foreign language classroom? Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. They can read grammar explanations at home and you can spot check to ensure that they have learned the basics—old-school grammar drills still do have a purpose!

Then you can move on to grammar games to reinforce what they have learned. Ever thought of giving your students language data, sitting back and watching them try to figure the rules out for themselves? Not all students want to be linguists , so why spend valuable class time on such an activity when you can get your students speaking at the outset? Do something tried and true : playing grammar games is a great way to getting your students to speak!

Grammar outside of context is difficult to remember and hard to master. By designing games where students are able to utilize what they have learned, they establish linguistic patterns for later use. Just as teachers have their own styles, students have their own preferred learning style and know which is most effective for them. Grammar games provide a variety of input types , auditory, visual, total physical response to name but three, that allow students to learn in a style most effective for them.

Thinking creatively is thinking critically. Grammar games give students the opportunity to be creative. FluentU takes authentic videos videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons. You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Click here to check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

When students are being drilled in class, they are sometimes self-conscious about speaking and making mistakes. When playing a grammar game , students get so wrapped up in the moment that this self-consciousness goes away.

They speak more freely. You listen and assess what they truly understand and are able to use. Playing games in the language classroom should have a specific pedagogical purpose and a specific outcome. Games are not something you should use because you are tired or you want to entertain your students. Games will help to reinforce student responsibility.

No student wants to be left out of playing a game, and no one wants to be the person making the same mistakes over and over again. If students are required to be familiar with the grammar before arriving to class, the learning environment playing games creates—wanting to win—will ensure that students do their reading! If you use non-confidential information from your students in some of your games, you will allow them not only to learn the language but also about each other.

This will help to create positive bonds in class and bring your students closer together. Give candy, postcards, stickers. This game is perfect for encouraging a little healthy competition between classmates and friends! It improves vocabulary, and it encourages creativity. How to Play: Before you split your players into teams, write enough words on pieces of paper and keep them all together so that each team can draw one in turn. You can also adapt the game to the level of knowledge of the group, so you can use it to practice verbs, nouns, adjectives, sentences, difficult words, etc.

Flip a coin to decide which team goes first and once you have your first player, have them draw a paper. He will have to act out the words until his team guesses what it is or until the time runs out. It improves memory and vocabulary. How to Play: I believe this game is best suited for teenagers and adults, because it would be too complicated and less fun for children. It is also perfect for winding down! What you have to do is give each player the lyrics to a popular, fun song from the target language.

The players will have to translate as many words as they can in 15 minutes, without using a dictionary or their phones; they can only use their knowledge. The same can be done with nouns, adjectives, prepositions, and so on.

After that, give them the correct translation of the lyrics and take the time to discuss the meaning of the song so that they have context. It improves vocabulary, speaking skills, and listening skills. How to Play: This game can work for all ages and levels!

All you have to do is split the players into two or more teams, depending on how many there are. Place a chair in the middle of the classroom facing the other players, with its back to the board. They should have a time limit of around 5 minutes or less and the game can go on for as long as you want! Games help us improve and they motivate us to learn beyond our limits.

Language Learning games for the classroom are one of the best ways to promote language learning. Try it. View Products. Recent stories. Moku Read More. August 21st, Moku Mundo! Language, arts and laughs for all ages Read More.

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