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Top Tips for Playing Games During the ESL Class - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Learning foreign languages is a very exciting and very responsible deal. A significant role in teaching foreign languages, in particular, English, belongs to games in the classroom. Games enhance students' mental activity, helps them consolidate material of the lesson, therefore it's a very important activity. The developing value of the game we can find in itself, because where is a game - there is emotion. Where is emotion, there are attention improvisation and imagination.
How to Implement Games?
Teacher's Part
Examples of Games
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ivan S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions... [Read more]
Christmas Board Game - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This Christmas board game is the perfect game to play in your ESL classroom to practice the present simple and present continuous tense.
Create a sentence, affirmative, negative, or a question, with the prompts in either present simple or present continuous tense, depending on the time word. Then answer the question with your own ideas. If a person isn't specified, use anyone you'd like.
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Fun EFL Winter Word Search - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This is a fun word game puzzle to play with your EFL students during the Christmas holiday season.
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Vocabulary Review Board Game - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This printable board game is great for practicing vocabulary words with your students. Play the game as a reward or when you have some time left at the end of your class.
This board game is the perfect activity to review vocabulary and help your students with their speaking skills. Print it out and play it with the whole class or play it in your virtual classroom.
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Candy Cane Word Search - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This is a fun word game puzzle to play with your EFL students during the Christmas holiday season.
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"How often do you...?" Board game - Frequency Adverbs - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This board game practices the frequency adverbs. It's a fun game to play with a small class as well as a bigger class in groups, for example.
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Roles That an ESL/EFL Teacher Plays in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
One of my favorite aspects of teaching is the role of the teacher in the classroom. To some, the role of the teacher is only to teach people information that they then regurgitate during a later exam. However, to me, teaching is a fascinating profession because a teacher is many things to many different students.
Instructor
Friend
Role-model
Conclusion
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Derek G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The most prominent role of a teacher is the conveyor of information. Whether the class is about learning a second language, mathematical equations, or writing a... [Read more]
Question Words Roll the Dice - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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With the fun dice, you can play a game involving the question words. For example, you can use this to ask questions about a text they have just read in class.
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The Point of Using Games in a TEFL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching language to children is a rather delicate and complex process that requires a careful approach and patience from the teacher. To make this process more vivid and interesting for children, it is necessary to remember the existence of such an important and very useful tool as games.
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Basis
Motivation
Approach to games
Teaching point
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Aleksei K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
In my opinion, games act like some kind of a magic wand which forms the foundation of trust between the teacher and the child, helps to build a... [Read more]
Features of ESL Games in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
A lot of activities can be settled and performed in a classroom to teach a non-native language. From tasks until routine exercises, a wide range of dynamics might be applied for a teacher. But games have different and unique features for a lesson, and its matter and characteristics need to be debated for developing consistent teaching of content.
What is a Game?
What is the Game for?
Game Directions
Sense of Competence
Communication
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Fábio A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
First of all, it must keep in mind the concept of a game, which could be described as... [Read more]
A-Z Lower Case Alphabet Board Game - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This a fun and simple game like Snakes and Ladders for students to play with young ESL students to practice upper case letters of the alphabet.
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The Importance of Games in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
"Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play, children learn how to learn." O. Fred Donaldson (Pulitzer nominated author, and renowned play researcher).
Traditional Approach
Two Styles of Teaching
Effects of Game Play
What Games to Use?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kristel-Ann I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
In a traditional school, students are expected to study the lesson from the book and from what the teacher discussed. It is a straight discussion without activities, and evaluation is through worksheets. They could only play games after school hours. Nowadays, schools... [Read more]
Top Online Lesson Plan Resources for New and Advanced Teachers - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Teaching Ideas
For many new and experienced EFL teachers, one of the most challenging aspects of their career is coming up with lesson plans that are both engaging and effective. Even if your employer provides a specific textbook to follow as a curriculum, you will often find that this can be rather dull for the students unless you spice things up by adding in some fun and original ideas from an outside source. By searching online you will find a huge amount of sites offering all manner of resources of varying quality and relevance. To save you the hassle of searching through them all, we have listed our 5 favorite websites that you can use to find quality lesson plans free of charge.
Using English
TEFL.net
ESL Galaxy
British Council
Bogglesworld/Lanternfish
Listen to this... [Read more]
The Practical Value of Games in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Education and teaching are always changing. Thus, teachers are constantly thinking of new ideas and techniques they can implement in their classroom and teaching plan to more effectively educate their students. Presently, the notion of games within the classroom is widely popular among teachers. One may think that this relationship between games and learning is ironic, as most individuals classify games as a hindrance to education. However, through its engaging attributes, the tendency to boost class morale and motivation, and overall improvement within student's creativity, games in the classroom that inspire education are very effective when teaching.
Engagement Power
Attention-Grabbing Power
Revision Applicability
Ice Breaker
Do you want to teach... [Read more]
The Best Ice Breaker Games Every EFL Teacher Should Know - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
hi guys hey linda here from itt with another live session this week i'm so happy to be here again hope to see many of you guys today thanks so much for joining if you're listening to this as a podcast episode thank you so much for the download we recently just hit 3500 podcast downloads which is super exciting thank you so much for your support and um yeah today's topic i'm really excited about because it's something a little bit different than what i'm usually talking about and today i'm going to share with you the the best icebreaker games that every efl teacher should know so yeah i'm gonna be showing you guys what fun games you can play in your classes i know that some of you are already teaching and you probably know some of these games or you know versions of these games so feel... [Read more]
5 Challenges of Teaching EFL to Kindergarten Level Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Susan W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
1. Self-introduction
2. Reasons for practicing as an EFL Teacher
3. Ways in which EFL will guide me achieve my goals
4. Games and activities in the classroom
5. Planning my New Lesson
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I am Susan and I'm 40 years female from Kenya and I have graduated with a bachelor's degree in Art in Education. I have been teaching young learners in Kenya for two years and I was invited to teach English in southern China and I am ready for the new challenge teaching abroad.
I decided to do a TEFL test online so that I can acquire the... [Read more]
Name 3 Things Board Game - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This is the perfect board game to play as a time filler activity for your ESL class. Your students take turns rolling the die and naming three things around the topic on the board.
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5 Important Reasons to Use Games in The Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
"Learning is not a game, although you learn by playing"
1. Useful Method
2. Students' Needs
3. Rapport Between Students
4. Way of Evaluation
5. Encouragement
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When we teach it is not only a matter of writing on the board and expecting the students to absorb all the information and knowledge we have, it's a matter of thinking and sharing what we know with the students. The best way of doing this is by connecting with them through games.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Juan G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
As a teacher, I believe that games bring you a methodology for teaching... [Read more]
Where can I get free TEFL lesson plans? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
For educators in the TEFL field, having a structured lesson plan is a key to successful teaching. While some prefer crafting their own, others benefit from readily available online resources. Leveraging free online resources not only saves time but also offers insights into diverse teaching strategies. If you are looking for free TEFL lesson plans, there are numerous online platforms worth exploring. Here is a curated list of recommended sites where you can access these invaluable resources:
Where can I get free TEFL lesson plans?
UsingEnglish.com
TEFL.NET
The British Council
Lanternfish ESL
ThoughtCo
BusyTeacher
English Is a Piece of Cake
The Internet TESL Journal
iSLCollective
Online English Expert
Off2Class
This website offers over 1,000 free lesson plans for English teachers, sortable... [Read more]
How Might Language Teachers Productively Blur the Line Between Tasks, Games, and Testing? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
In the following essay, I consider something like a continuum from task to the game to assessment, but only in the bookend learning moments of "input" and "output." I often think of learners in my classrooms as a gray box—not quite a "black box," the inner workings of which are completely mysterious, but a thing into which we only ever have uncertain, provisional insight. We can do all sorts of theorizing about language acquisition and psychometry but will never have anything as exact as a litmus test. However accurate my notion is, it motivates me to focus on things that are much more knowable and observable: the inputs and outputs of a learning situation.
My Personal Experience
Teacher as a Medium of Real Life Communication
Activate Phase of The... [Read more]
6 Striking Benefits of Games in the ESL Class - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Games are one of the most important components in the classroom. They include activities that have goals and rules at the same fun time. There are lots of benefits to playing games in the classroom. Students can practice important skills by playing an educational game in a small group or with a partner. Whole class games are great means to review skills for a test or at the end of the unit. When students need a brain break or during an inside recess, action games work perfectly. Games can be given for homework to provide fun, engaging and differentiated practice. Games can be played in all subjects and at all grade levels. Games are fun as well as beneficial. Here are important benefits that we should use games in the classroom:
1. Games are motivating... [Read more]
Games as a Teaching Method for Adult ESL Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
When we start to learn new things as children, we tend to do that with the help of games. That is why in many classrooms of young learners, we find games to be a highly popular medium amongst educators. It is a way of absorbing and processing a piece of information in a fun and educational way. But when we grow up, we somehow forget the necessity of games in the classroom.
Ice Breaker
Ways to Include Games into Your Lesson
What Games to Choose?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Anna B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
When it comes to learning a second language, children immerse themselves in... [Read more]
Why Games Are So Important in the English Language Classroom - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Games are one of the most important components in an EFL classroom. Foreign language learning games can be considered as a framework to provide a meaningful context for language acquisition. Students can improve their understanding of written and spoken English via games, as well as learn new words, structures, pronunciation, and spelling, all while having a great deal of fun.
The Versatility of Games in the Classroom
Games Are Not Just About Having Fun
The Many Benefits of Games in the Classroom
Games Are Not Just For Young Learners
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Shiva R.
Games can be used to warm up the class before your lesson... [Read more]
What are some useful ESL teaching resource books? - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
The market for ESL teaching books is very large and all the major publishers have some form of involvement in the production and selling of these resources. There are many different types of books and resources that are used in ESL teaching and we will consider three main categories.1) General teaching theory books2) ESL book series3) Activity resource books
General teaching theory books
ESL book series
Activity Resource books
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As an ESL teacher unless you spend your entire career teaching kindergarten, you are going to have to teach English grammar. There are many books that cover this well and you... [Read more]
Games in the Classroom - The Antidote to Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
When an English speaker is traveling in the Philippines, it is not uncommon for a friendly conversation with a local to end with the local stating they have a nosebleed and escape from the conversation. In Filipino culture, nosebleeds indicate that the brain is too stressed. Although Filipinos pride themselves in being fluent in English, many are not as confident to speak it when the time requires.
BACKGROUND: Too Anxious to Speak
INTRODUCTION: Work VS Play
MOTIVATION
SETTING
CONFIDENCE
CONCLUSION
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Terence L.
This phenomenon of foreign language speaking anxiety is not limited to just the... [Read more]
10+ Activities for Teaching English Winter Camp - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
Having to organize and hold a winter camp is a daunting task, especially for new teachers who haven't done it before. For these kinds of English camps, teachers typically create up to 10 lesson plans for the duration of the camp. Winter camps can last anywhere between one week to a month or even longer. The main goal of an English camp is to have a fun and memorable time with the students while practicing their English.
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It's all About Fun… and Props!
Making Sock Snowmen!
Making Christmas or New Year's Cards
Have Handouts Ready
Powerpoint/Computer Games
Board Games
When Your School Doesn't Have a Budget or Supplies
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video... [Read more]
Why Playing Games in Class is Important? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
All humans are raised with an innate love for games. Since we were all children, playing games was our pastime activity. When comes to teaching either young learners or adults, in-class games are the foundation stone of learning.
Business English
The Effect of Games
Strategy
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Pavlina M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Teaching Business English (BE) to clients/adults must be a fun procedure. There are many reasons why a teacher must use games when teaching English in class regardless of students' age or occupation.
To begin with, students can learn with... [Read more]
The Art of Teaching Younger EFL Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
I have 3 years of experience in teaching English in a few kindergartens in Beijing, China and some experience in teaching adults in a training center.
Differences Between Teaching Children and Adults
Principles in Teaching Kids
Learning Atmosphere
Teacher's Responsibilities
My Personal Experience
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When I started in kindergarten, it was very difficult because I didn't have enough information about how to make a proper lesson plan. I didn't have enough materials, games, songs, and it took me a lot of time to collect all the necessary information for teaching and creating my teaching plan. Without experience, it wasn't easy for me to build a good rapport between me and my... [Read more]
Key Functions of Playing Games in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Learning through games has become more common over the years. The traditional academic-oriented learning method of repetitive memorizing is slowly becoming outdated, and most students prefer to learn in a fun and interactive environment.
Boosting Curiosity and Creativity
Exams vs. Games
Benefits of Games
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Katherine I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Children of all ages love to play, from the tiny infants to the toddler who sings ABC songs, to primary children who plays memory games. Children learn important skills by playing. Playing enhances children's... [Read more]
English in Early Childhood: Alumni Teaching Experience - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
For two years I have been teaching Italian children in a nursery, a group of 5,2-3 years old. They are still not able to speak well their mother tongue and have a short vocabulary. They have no experience yet in being taught traditionally, may still use pacifier and diaper, so how can you teach so small children English and is it even worth it? Shouldn't they first learn their native tongue? Many parents think so.
Difficulties
Flashcards
Songs
Books
Gymnastics
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I am sure they benefit from being exposed to English vocabulary and getting used to the sound of English as young as possible. But of course, it must be done in the right way, they are not going to study English but... [Read more]