Heads Up!

 Heads up!

Laura Rátóti and Gellért Bojtor

Part 1 – The Game

Level and Language Outcomes

Through participating in this game, high school students will practice listening and speaking skills, and also revise a set of words. It is a challenging game, as due to the time limit, they quickly have to use language strategically in order to explain the words to their partner.

Materials needed

  • Prepared cards with the words on them – each set of cards are about different topics

  • Stopwatch

Object of the Game

To guess as many words as possible within one minute.

Rules of the Game:

  • The participants form pairs

  • Everyone gets a set of cards

  • The players must not see what is on their own cards.

  • Each person has 1 minute to explain as many words from the other person’s cards, and the other person have to figure out the expressions as quickly as they can. 

  • When they figured out a word, they move on to the next until the time is up. 

  • Everyone receives one point for every word they have figured out. 

  • After both person has played their own cards, the pairs change their set of cards

  • If a person can’t explain the word to their partner, they can pass

  • If a person can’t figure out the word from the explanation, they can pass

Score keeping:

After both players have played their own cards, they note how many words they solved in the time period and receive one point for each word. After the final round is played, they count their points. The person who got to most wins the game.

Part 2 – Reflection

I really enjoyed playing this game with the group. I saw that they enjoyed it as well, as it was a competition and they had to be quick so it was an adrenaline rush. It is a very quick game; it can be quickly implemented into any lesson. It is easily adaptable, as they can play only 1-2 rounds, or even more, depending on the number of set of cards prepared by the teacher. It is also very easily adaptable for each level and age. It can be suitable for revising vocabulary items, but it is not an easy game for the learning phase. 

I also liked this game because the players didn’t have to perform anything in front of the whole class. In my opinion, in many cases, games are ruined when all eyes are on one single person. Not everyone is comfortable with that. In this game, it’s only you and your partner, so it is much more comfortable. As they are not put in front of everyone, they are not stressed about their language, so they may perform better.

Although it is a very enjoyable game, it takes very long to prepare. Collecting the words, cutting them took lots of time. It’s worth preparing them once, choosing words that can be used in several classes and levels, so that they can be reused later on. For every set of vocabulary topic or textbook part, it is too much procedure. 

It is a great game, as the students have to take part actively. They can’t lay back and not participate. However, what’s the best, is that the teacher only guides the game, doesn’t take an active role. The teacher gives them the cards and checks the time, but the game and how it goes is totally up to the participants. 

It can be also switched up in a way that each pair gets a set of cards, and take turns. This way, fewer sets of cards are needed. LR

Part 3 - Appendix

Words list

Sleeping bag

Compass

Matches

Sunscreen

Knife

Bug spray

Rope

Backpack

Tent

Fishing gear

First aid kit

Blanket

Flash light

Hiking boots

Adoption

Cousin

Divorce

Engagement

Wedding

Aunt

Triplets

Toddler

Honeymoon

Single

New-born

Bridesmaid

Niece

Sibling

Rainbow

Thunderstorm

Lightning

Fog

Weather forecast

Heat wave

Flood

Snowflake

Global warming

Raindrop

Wind

Cloud

Tornado

Humidity

Worried

Excited

Bored

Fed up

Surprised

Furious

Calm

Exhausted

Disgusted

Angry

Enthusiastic

Relaxed

Sad

Annoyed

Impulsive

Generous

Sensible

Honest

Clever

Hard-working

Arrogant

Outgoing

Shy

Friendly

Modest

Patient

Talented

Brave

Nun

Drummer

Hunter

Inventor

Nurse

Astronaut

Politician

Librarian

Lifeguard

Pilot

Soldier

Magician

Flight Attendant

Dentist

Scotland

Australia

Hungary

Spain

Italy

USA

Mexico

Germany

Japan

Egypt

Switzerland

Romania

Greece

France

Theatre

Popcorn

Screen

Trailer

Nachos

Seat

3D glasses

Movie

Action movie

Actor

Ticket

Money

Dark

Drama

Draw

Forget

Forgive

Sleep

Lie

Know

Spend

Build

Drive

Fly

Fall

Understand

Sell

Send

airport

passport

suitcase

backpack

map

take off

hotel

cruise

check-in

book a flight

taxi

tour

flight

airplane

toaster

microwave

light bulb

stove

hairdryer

vacuum cleaner

oven

fan

television

washing machine

refrigerator

dishwasher

blender

air conditioner

sour cream

ice cream

tea

coffee

flour

mushroom

bacon

pepper

lobster

mustard

pie

jam

donut

butter

tissue

razor

toothbrush

deodorant

hair brush

tooth paste

mouthwash

dental floss

tweezer

perfume

body lotion

soap

hair clips

scissors

bakery

bookshop

butcher’s

restaurant

mall

library

church

post office

pharmacy

hospital

petrol station

florist’s

fire station

museum

ambulance

tractor

taxi

skateboard

bicycle

scooter

dump truck

helicopter

carriage

train

caravan

bus

metro

hot-air balloon

Titanic

Spiderman

Star Wars

The Lord of the Rings

The Godfather

Cinderella

Frozen

Aladdin

Jurassic Park

The Lion King

The Wizard of Oz

Harry Potter

Grinch

Batman

kangaroo

leopard

squirrel

hedgehog

fox

deer

butterfly

whale

octopus

jellyfish

penguin

crab

giraffe

elephant

desert

forest

island

jungle

cliff

coast

beach

river

volcano

mountain

hill

ocean

valley

city

suspect

prison

detective

police officer

gun

handcuffs

fingerprint

lawyer

judge

witness

oath

courtroom

hammer

robber

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