Games
What
and why?
At
secondary school level, games are a lively way of maintaining student
interest in the language. Games in CES are an integral part
of the course. They are fun but also part of the learning process
and students should be encouraged to take them seriously. In general
they need not be compulsory - students may prefer to do something
else while another group plays a game. Most of the games in CES
expect students to create some input before they play. This gives
a sense of 'ownership' and extends the language learning element.
Practical
ideas
As
with all GROUPWORK,
the success of the game depends on the clear instruction to the
students. Make sure that they understand the aim of the game and
the rules before they start. (Initially, these are probably best
explained in the MOTHER
TONGUE).
- You
will need to make sure that you have a supply of dice and counters
permanently available.
- The
best number of students for a game is probably four (six maximum)
otherwise the game will move too slowly and the others will get
bored while waiting for their turn.
- Students
can choose a 'leader/referee' for the game before they start,
to decide on disagreements.
- While
they are playing you can be MONITORING
AND GUIDING.
- Make
sure they know how much time they have to play the game: 10-15
minutes is probably enough for most of the games in CES.
Don't start a game 5 minutes before the end of a lesson! You can
give students a 'five minute warning' before the time is over
so they can work towards the end.
- As
the course progresses, you can get the students to invent their
own games and decide their own board.
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