Using games

Arif Saricoban and Esen Metin, authors of "Songs, Verse and Games for Teaching Grammar" explain how and why games work for teaching grammar in an ESL classroom.

They say, "Games and problem-solving activities...have a purpose beyond the production of correct speech, and are examples of the most preferable communicative activities."
They go on to explain that grammar games help children not only gain knowledge but be able to apply and use that learning.

 Allowing the students to "practice and internalize vocabulary, grammar and structures extensively. They can do this through repeated exposure to the target grammar and because students are often more motivated to play games than they are to do deskwork.
Plus, during the game, the students are focused on the activity and end up absorbing the grammar subconsciously.

 Saricoban and Metin, to use games is that "the use of such activities both increases the cooperation and competition in the classroom." Indeed games can be used to add excitement through competition or to create bonding between the students, and between the students and teacher.

 students anxiety towards language learning decreases as games are employed. Games are student-focused activities requiring active involvement of learners.

games provide learners with a chance to direct their own learning.

Advantages of games
focus students attention on specific structures, grammatical patterns, and vocabulary items. can function as reinforcement, review and enrichment.

involve equal participation from both slow and fast learners.

can be adjusted to suit the individual age and language levels of the students. contribute to an atmosphere of healthy competition, providing an outlet for the creative use of natural language in a non-stressful situation.

 can be used in any language teaching situations and with all skill areas (reading, writing, speaking or listening). provide immediate feedback for the teacher.

ensure maximum student participation