Activity (Listening & Vocabulary, All Levels)


 Activity

Szőcs Gábor


Part 1: The Game

Level & Learning Outcomes

Level: Pre-Intermediate

Improves listening, increases competence to describe words, improves logical skills, helps enhance creativity


Materials needed 

  • Previously cut-out pieces of paper (See Appendix)

  • whiteboard

  • hat

  • markers


Object of Game

Players can describe, draw or show with body language a word pulled out of a hat


Rules of Play

  1. Each player has to come out one by one.

  2. They pull a piece of paper  out of  a hat.

  3. They silently read the words on the paper.

  4. They should choose whether they want to draw, describe, or show it 

  5. Those students who can figure out what the secret word was get a point


Scorekeeping

The scores are kept individually. At the end, we announce the winner of the game.


Part 2: Reflection

As a Teacher Trainee at a gimnázium, I recently introduced a language learning game to a group of eighteen 7th graders, and I'm pleased to share my reflections on the experience. The game was designed for pre-intermediate level students and aimed to enhance their listening skills, vocabulary acquisition, and creativity while focusing on job-related vocabulary.

            The game required minimal materials: pieces of paper with job names, a hat, markers, and a whiteboard. Its simplicity made it accessible and easy to implement, which was particularly advantageous in a classroom setting. The rules of the game were clear: students would take turns pulling out a piece of paper from the hat, read the job name by themselves, and then choose to describe, draw, or use body language to convey the word to their peers.

From my observation, the students thoroughly enjoyed the game. They were enthusiastic about participating and eagerly awaited their turn to showcase their skills. The variety of communication methods allowed students to engage with the vocabulary in different ways, catering to diverse learning styles and preferences.

One of the game's strengths was its emphasis on listening comprehension. As students listened to their peers' descriptions or observed their drawings and gestures, they were challenged to decipher the secret word. This aspect of active listening not only reinforced their understanding of the vocabulary but also promoted valuable communication skills.

Throughout the game, I kept track of individual scores, which added a competitive element to the activity. The students were motivated to earn points by correctly identifying the secret word, fostering a sense of engagement and participation.

In conclusion, the language learning game was a resounding success. It effectively combined educational objectives with enjoyable gameplay, providing an engaging platform for students to practice their language skills. The positive feedback from the students reaffirmed the game's value as a valuable tool for language instruction. As an educator, I'm thrilled to have facilitated such a rewarding learning experience for my students. SG

This game was played in a revision lesson for A2 level high school students in which the aim was to revise the words learned in the unit. On the cards, there were names of jobs, which students had to explain, draw, or act out. There was also a small symbol on the card that showed what the task was, but in some cases, I let students decide whether to explain, draw, or describe the word. This gave shy learners more confidence. The students were motivated by working in teams and the competitive situation also increased their engagement.

I think games like "Activity" can make learning more fun and engaging, helping to motivate students to participate actively in class. As a team-based game, it promotes cooperation and collaborative problem-solving among students. It improves their communication and listening skills and fosters creative thinking. Burai Gréta


Part 3 Appendix

Word list

doctor

computer programmer

cook/ chef

driver

teacher

musician

farmer

tour guide

gardener

auto mechanic

waiter/ waitress

salesperson

hair stylist

secretary

scientist

engineer

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hangman (with a Twist) B2 Vocabulary

  Hangman Rátóti Laura, Fodor Balázs Part 1: The Game Level & Learning Outcomes The level of the game is B2 level, as most of the words are advanced. Playing this game can check and improve spelling and can engage students with vocabulary. Materials needed word cards (see appendix) some way to assign a topic (e.g.: cards) whiteboard for drawing, scoring Object of Game To get the most points by guessing correctly. Rules of Play Divide the group into two teams. The topics are introduced, matched to the suit of the playing cards After a coin toss, the starting team is decided. A member of a group draws a card. Then, they choose a  card from the respective category, but cannot look at it. The card is given to the teacher, who indicates on the board how many letters the word contains. The starting team can guess for a letter first. If any team’s guess is correct on their turn, they can guess again. If any team’s guess is wrong on their turn, then it's the oth...
Read more

Introduction and Index

Image
From February 12 to May 12, 2024, twenty eight teacher trainees participated in a semester-long seminar about using games in langauge teaching.  These are the listening games that were inspired by the class. All the games are ready-made games that English teachers across the globe can copy and adapt for their own classes.  Index of Games In describing the levels of players, we have adopted the CEFR scheme of labeling: A1/A2 Beginner, B1/B2 Intermediate, C1/C2 Advanced.  In indexing the games, however, I have organized according the the length and nature of discourse. PHONEMES Choose a Corner WORDS Activity                                              Taboo    Hangman (with a Twist) Word Battle Heads Up                                      ...
Read more

Taboo (Listening and B2 Vocabulary)

 Taboo Kertész Laura, Fodor Balázs Part 1: The Game Level & Learning Outcomes The level of the game is B2 level, as most of the words are advanced. Playing this game can c heck and improve the oral skills and proper understanding of vocabulary. Materials needed taboo cards (see appendix for examples)  Editable and printable whiteboard, or a sheet of paper for scoring Object of Game To get the most points by describing and guessing correctly. Rules of Play Divide the group into two or three teams. A member of a group draws a card. On the top of the card they will see the word to be described. Below the word are the four taboo words, that must not be used by the student. The student has 80 seconds in total to describe the word drawn. In the last 60 seconds, the other teams can steal the point, if they guess correctly. If a word from the taboo list is used, the student has to draw another card and describe the new word. The timer is not reset. If the groups cann...
Read more