Teaching Tip: Ideas for Games in Adult English Classes

Learning a new language can be both challenging and rewarding, and one way to make the journey both enjoyable and effective is by incorporating games! Games offer a dynamic and interactive way to engage learners, promoting a comfortable environment that encourages active participation and language acquisition. Let’s take a look at how teachers can effectively integrate games into adult English classes, making the learning process not only educational but also entertaining.

Why Incorporate Games?

Incorporating games into English classes for adults offers several benefits, such as:

• Creating a relaxed and non-threatening atmosphere, reducing language-learning anxiety
• Promoting active participation, enhancing engagement and retention of new vocabulary and grammar structures
• Encouraging healthy competition, motivating learners to challenge themselves and each other
• Providing real-world context for language usage, making it more relevant and memorable
• Offering options for various learning styles, ensuring that visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and social learners are all involved

Types of Games for Adult English Classes:

There are many games that can be adapted for adult English learners. Here are a few examples:

• Word Bingo: Create bingo cards with words instead of numbers. Call out definitions, synonyms, or example sentences, and players mark the corresponding word on their cards. This website allows users to create up to 30 free bingo cards: https://myfreebingocards.com/
• Pictionary: This classic drawing and guessing game can be adapted for English classes by using vocabulary words or phrases. It encourages learners to visualize and communicate using the language. Choose a word, draw it, and see if your learner(s) can guess what it is. Then, switch roles.
• Role-Playing: Engage learners in real-life scenarios like ordering food at a restaurant or making a hotel reservation. This promotes conversational skills and builds confidence. Using real-life materials such as restaurant menus or hotel brochures can bring an added feeling of authenticity. If you are teaching in a 1-1 class, you can play one of the roles with your student.
• Trivia Quizzes: Craft trivia questions based on language concepts learned in class. Divide learners into teams and see who can answer the most questions correctly. Our Jeopardy Games for each book can be a great way to have learners test their knowledge of different sections of the books: https://intercambio.org/resource-hub/jeopardy-review-games-by-book/
• Sentence-Building Games: Choose a random vocabulary word and encourage learners to make a sentence. This customizable spinning wheel can be a fun way to randomly choose a word: https://pickerwheel.com/
• Story Cubes: These dice with images spark creativity. Learners roll the dice and use two or more of them to construct sentences or tell a story. Try out these free virtual story dice: https://davebirss.com/storydice-creative-story-ideas/

Integration into Lesson Plans:

Incorporating games into adult English classes can make learning more enjoyable and effective. By tapping into the power of playfulness, teachers can create an environment that fosters language acquisition, builds confidence, and encourages active participation. Remember, the key is to align games with learning objectives, provide a variety of activities, and maintain a positive and inclusive atmosphere. So, let the games begin, and watch as your learners embark on a language-learning journey filled with fun and progress.