subject: Benefits Of Using Games In Teaching The Adult Students [print this page] Benefits Of Using Games In Teaching The Adult Students
Have you ever wondered why your English teacher makes use of games in your adult class? If they do utilize games, are you enjoying, are you learning, or are you tired of all the games? Read on to know about the good and bad reasons for using games in an adult class.
Students commonly complain that they are playing games in their English class instead of doing serious study. Most instructors however, neglect such complaint, because serious study and playing games could often be the same thing and most teaching specialists agree that games are sometimes useful. If you think that your English class utilizes too many games and you would like the teacher and school to pay attention to your complaints, you might need to check that with your class. Below are the reasons that are true and the good reasons that are not.
Good reasons for using games in an adult class
1. More drilling/controlled practice
There is a boundary to how many times you can repeat the same sentence or grammar before your brain switches off. However, with some games, it would be possible to repeat the same language numerous times in fascinating ways. This could improve your ability to produce the next time you encounter a real conversation in English.
2. Fun and memory
When you are having fun with the language that you are using, you are more likely to make an impression on your memory. This could be easier to recall in the future.
3. Class spirit
Many classroom games can help the students be acquainted with each other and learn to work together. The team spirit produced can improve your motivation to come to class and perform your best; thus, help increase you English skills.
4. Know when you are doing well
When you are learning a foreign language, you might find it difficult to determine whether you are speaking well or speaking badly. In a game with points, you could see clearly whether you have done well or not.
5. Warmers
There might be times when you need to warm up before your brain is ready to learn the new language. The excellent means of doing this is usually with a short game.
6. Using various parts of your brain
Normal classroom learning usually makes use of your memory quite frequently for vocabulary learning and sometimes, makes use of the logical area of your brain for things such as working out grammar rules. If you could also engage other areas of your brain with skills such as drawing, hand-eye coordination, and music, this could aid you to learn the language more fully. The easiest means of bringing these things into class is usually with language games.
7. A natural way of learning
Most people believe that babies learn a language naturally by means of imitating people around them and then interacting. However, what is rarely remembered is that children just spend a lot of time playing around with the language for amusement with the use of nonsense words, puns and skipping rhymes. Adults require the similar playful and creative attitude to the language they are learning for them to be encouraged and really get to feel they have mastered the language.
8. Competition and motivation
You might find it faster to learn a language when you feel a dose of healthy competition. This can motivate you to work harder to produce more complex and/or accurate language.
9. Most students like games
Other students in your class might find it enjoyable with games. They might be motivated to learn English and increase their concentration if they have a short term goal such as getting points when playing games. As long as the games have a serious teaching point, any student can definitely learn from it.
10. Students complain about games for the wrong reasons
Some students tend to overlook their own lack of effort and blame their bad test scores to the games. If the instructor finds out that you or the other students are complaining about the games when the games are really not the problem, you might not be taken seriously.
11. Variety
For you to master a language, you need to approach it in various means. Ruling out things that could be considered games could cut down the number of diverse ways in developing your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.
12. Remembering the language by the game
An excellent way for you to remember a language is to picture the place or conversation where you first heard it. The people and place in the classroom is usually the same and the instructor can make every lesson memorable. The best method would be to use a different game each week.
Bad reasons for using games in an adult class
Killing time
A good language learning game should have a clear purpose and should finish when the students are capable of moving on to another lesson. You could ask your teacher to explain the reason for each game prior to playing it.
Learning just like kids
Adults are different from children in ways of learning a language. You can ask your teachers to explain their language teaching philosophy, if they seem to be making the assumption that you should learn just like children.
The teacher just want to try something new
Usually, good teachers would like to try new ideas on how to make the lessons better and more interesting in class. However, this does not always mean that the new game will yield the best lesson for the day. If you believe that your instructor is being a bit experimental with your class, a good way to approach this situation would be to suggest things that you think would be relevant to do again.
It is fun for the teacher
Some teachers find it amusing to use games to add enjoyment for the class and for them to have fun as well. However, if you and the majority of the class believe that it is best to finish the game, show that you want to move on to another lesson by opening your book.
The teacher believes smiling faces means happy students
Many instructors are surprised when a student who was smiling, laughing, and participating in the class games would complain that there are too many games in class. If you did enjoy the game, but believe that they are not useful, it is best to explain exactly what's on your mind to your teacher, rather than say that you "did not like the games".
The teacher does not know what else to do
Many English teachers are trained to make use of games in class. If the institute orders them to stop using games, it could be difficult for them to think of other interesting and motivating alternatives of practicing the language. However, you could suggest means that could help your teacher come up with brilliant methods to make the learning fun and enjoyable with minimal use of games.
