Engage Students with Fun and Interactive ESL Online Games

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Idea 1: Grammar Auction
• Idea 2: Pictionary
• Idea 3: Thumbs Up Game
• Idea 4: Simon Says
• Idea 5: Story Cubes
• Conclusion
• Additional Tips and Resources
• FAQs

Article

Introduction

Welcome to our new series of videos called "How to Teach English Online." In today's video, we will be discussing five ideas for online EFL games that focus on drama and vocabulary. These interactive games are designed to engage your students and make the online learning experience enjoyable.

Idea 1: Grammar Auction

The Grammar Auction is a classic game that can be adapted for an online class. Before the lesson, prepare a list of about 10 sentences, where some are correct and others are grammatically incorrect. Divide your students into groups and provide each team with a budget. Present the sentences one by one, and students must bid on the sentence by guessing if it is correct or not. At the end, reveal the correct answers and determine the winner based on the number of correct sentences they purchased. This game adds a competitive element to learning grammar and encourages active participation.

Idea 2: Pictionary

Pictionary is an excellent game for revising vocabulary. At the beginning of the lesson, ask each student to draw a picture representing a word studied in a previous lesson. Send the prompts privately through the chatbox. Students race to guess the correct word, and the first one to answer correctly earns a point. This game encourages creativity, critical thinking, and quick recall of vocabulary.

Idea 3: Thumbs Up Game

Utilize the reaction buttons available on online platforms, such as the thumbs-up button, as a cue for readiness. Prepare a list of questions, incorrect sentences, or definitions. Read them out, and students must indicate their readiness by giving a thumbs-up or typing a specific word in the chatbox. Students who answer correctly earn a point. This game promotes active listening and quick thinking.

Idea 4: Simon Says

Though usually associated with younger learners, Simon Says can be adapted for adults as well. Instead of "Simon Says," substitute it with your name or any other cue. For example, ask, "Ola says, what's the past participle of the verb bring?" Students must respond correctly in the chatbox. If someone answers without the cue, they are out of the game. This game encourages accuracy, attention to detail, and following instructions.

Idea 5: Story Cubes

Story Cubes are an excellent tool for practicing various language skills, including grammar and writing. Divide your students into breakout rooms and provide them with a story cube generator. Each team will use the generator's picture prompts to create a short story. Once the stories are completed, teams return to the main session and present their stories to the class. The most creative or amusing story wins. Story Cubes foster creativity, teamwork, and storytelling skills.

Conclusion

These five interactive games offer engaging ways to teach English online while focusing on drama and vocabulary. Incorporate these games into your online lessons to make learning enjoyable for your students. Remember to adapt the game mechanics according to your students' proficiency level.

Additional Tips and Resources

• Encourage students to share their own game ideas and adapt them for online use.
• Use game-based learning platforms or interactive tools to enhance the gaming experience.
• Provide clear instructions and guidelines to ensure smooth gameplay.
• Keep track of points or rewards to add excitement and motivation.
• Stay updated with online teaching resources and communities for new game ideas.

FAQs

1. How can I make the games more challenging for advanced learners? For advanced learners, you can increase the complexity of the sentences or prompts in the games. Use idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, or more advanced vocabulary to challenge their language skills further.

2. Can these games be adapted for one-on-one online lessons? Absolutely! These games can be easily adapted for one-on-one online lessons. Adjust the game mechanics accordingly and ensure active participation from the student.

3. Are there any online platforms or tools specifically designed for language learning games? Yes, several online platforms and tools cater to language learning games, such as Kahoot, Quizizz, and Genial.ly. Explore these platforms to find interactive game templates or create your own.

4. Can I incorporate these games into other language areas besides grammar and vocabulary? Certainly! These games can be adapted for other language areas, such as speaking skills, reading comprehension, or pronunciation practice. Modify the prompts or questions according to the specific language skill you want to target.

5. How often should I incorporate these games into my online lessons? The frequency of incorporating these games into your online lessons depends on your teaching style and the needs of your students. Aim for a balanced mix of interactive games, along with other instructional activities, to create a well-rounded learning experience.

Remember, teaching English online can be engaging and fun with the right games and strategies. Experiment with different ideas, adapt them to suit your students' needs, and enjoy creating a dynamic learning environment.