Learn English With Games

This proverb tells us that playing has a lot of significance in our life, so why not start playing games to learn English? When we think of learning something new, the first thought that comes in our mind is a book. But have you ever imagined that learning something new could be achieved by playing games. Yes, playing and learning is such a useful combination that makes the children feel relaxed and comfortable. Instead of opting for the old formula of giving books to the children and forcing them to study hard, we could make them play interesting games which would enable them to play and learn at the same time. In this way, they would be able to improve their existing knowledge more easily while indulging in activities they love the most.

Now, let's discuss about the types of games which are helpful in improving English vocabulary and can help anyone in improving their speaking and listening skills.

1- Scrabble

It is one of the most popular word games which is played by forming words from individual lettered tiles on a game board marked with a 15-by-15 grid. It is usually recommended for children of age 8 years and above.

How to play?

It is usually played between two players. The game is played on a square board with a 15-by-15 grid of cells (individually known as "squares"). Before the start of the play, all the lettered tiles are shuffled. Now you can start playing the game by drawing seven tiles and placing them on your rack. With every turn, the players try to form an English word on the board by combining one of more lettered tiles. Each letter has a score (0 Points - Blank tile, 1 Point - A, E, I, L, N, O, R, S, T and U, 2 Points - D and G, 3 Points - B, C, M and P, 4 Points - F, H, V, W and Y, 5 Points - K, 8 Points - J and X, 10 Points - Q and Z) and at the end of the play the total score is calculated. The player, who scores more, wins the game.

Benefits

The game improves vocabulary and spelling.

2- Name, Place, Animal and Thing

This is one of the most loved games of all times and we all must have played this game in our childhood. It is a traditional Indian game which helps in improving vocabulary. All you need to start playing this game is just pen and paper.

How to play?

It can be played between n number of persons. All the players are given a paper and a pen. The players should draw the following four columns on their paper:

Name
Place
Animal
Thing

After the columns have been prepared, two people are chosen to be the caller and a reciter respectively. The caller says "Yes" and the reciter starts reciting English alphabets in his/her mind. After a certain period of time, the caller says "stop" and the reciter speaks the alphabet which he has in his/her mind. All the players (including the caller and the reciter) start writing name, place, animal and thing that starts with that particular alphabet. The player who finishes writing says "stop" and all the other players have to stop writing immediately. Points are allocated for each correct answer. This process is repeated a number of times. At the end of the game, the player with the maximum number of points wins the game.
Benefits

This game helps in improving vocabulary and helps in practicing nouns in alphabets.

Scattergories

It is a memory based game which enhances creative thinking. This is a game played by naming objects within a set of categories, given an initial letter, within a time limit. This game is played by players aged 12 and up.

How to play?

This game is played in a set of 3 rounds. Each player takes a folder with an answering pad and 3 category cards. One player rolls a 20-sided letter die start the game. The game starts with the letter that is obtained after rolling the die. The timer is started. The players stop when the timer stops. This continues for many rounds and at the end of the game, points is calculated.

Benefits

It enhances the vocabulary and social skills.

Learning Study Spanish Languages

Instead of starting with learning phrases you learn all the words that are used to make phrases. Words like to, go, from, and here. It makes sense because when you hear a phrase or sentence you will understand the individual words.

The course also needs an innovative approach to remembering the words you learn. When you click the words you want to learn you need to hear a native speaker say them. You also need to see the words phonetically spelled in English. This is very helpful for studying Spanish because even though Spanish uses the English alphabet the J and H sounds are, among other letters, reversed. You also want see the correct Spanish spelling. After you study the words its good to play a simple multiple-choice word game to test your memory. This is a very good idea because you immediately challenge yourself to remember the words. Learning a language is all about remembering the words. Another interesting idea is a virtual teacher so that when you play the multiple-choice game a teacher pop quizzes you on the words you get wrong.

A page where you can practice spelling either the phonetic or native spelling is handy. If you can spell the words it helps you remember how to say them.

To study Spanish grammar another page that explains the words and gives sentence examples of how to use the words is useful. I find that grammar is not really that important to communication. For example Spanish people say "house my" instead of "my house." Either way you will be understood, but it is still good to know how they speak.

Another feature that I have never seen on any other language learning method used to study Spanish is being able to choose the words you want to learn. If you already know a little Spanish you could make up a lesson of the words you want to learn and load them into a study page and play in the word game, the same as the pre-made lessons. It would be really helpful.

The lessons could be organized into word groups like family, food, body even sports. If a word has an opposite like "hot" you learn "cold" in the same lesson.

The words that you learn first will dramatically improve your chances of speaking and understanding the Spanish language quickly.

As with anything you choose to study it is your desire to learn that makes the results fast or slow. You have to bring that yourself.

Ensure Quality Learning

One of the keys to successful learning is using the "organizing and transforming information strategies". It includes rearrangement of materials, highlighting the important points, drawing pictures, diagrams and charts. Students need to prepare a list of errors they have made, record of their marks and all drafts of their assignments. To familiarize themselves with memorizing strategies, they need to make sample questions, using mental imagery and reciprocal teaching; when one student teaches another or a small group of students. Preparing a time management schedule and sequencing steps allow them to monitor their progression when concluding a problem or performing a given task. These strategies are helpful for them to focus more on their overall goals and objectives.

Self-reflection provides a path which directs their learning into the peak of success. Self-reflection includes self-judgment, self-reaction, self-instruction, self-reinforcement, and task analysis. Self-judgment is the evaluation of the students' own performance against some standards. They also search for causes of errors and attempt to solve their problems. They have to ask themselves to consider the following; Did they accomplish what they plan to do or were they distracted? Did they plan enough time or did they need more time than they thought? Under what conditions did they accomplish the most work? Self-instruction is based on how students instruct themselves. It affects their ability to successfully implement their strategies. Self-reinforcement is based on monitoring motivational pattern that includes competence of students to perform the task, importance of the goals for them, praise and criticism. Task analyses assist them in achieving their goals and make that vision into the reality. It is the analysis of how a task s accomplished, including a detailed description of task and element durations, task frequency, task allocations, task complexity, environmental conditions and any other unique factor involved in or required for one or more students to perform a given task.

One reason why students don't carry out the required standard is lack of systematic plan and good strategy to follow that plan. All it takes is thorough planning for seeking assistance and structuring of the physical study environment. Imitation of exemplary models, seeking social assistance from peers, teachers and parents help them to make learning easier. Environmental structuring strategies i.e., selecting or arranging the physical setting, eliminating or minimizing distractions, break up study periods and spread them over time help them to overcome learning difficulties and achieve required standard.