Teach English in DaojiAng Zhen - Yongzhou Shi

One of the most vital teaching tools I feel are available to me is games in the classroom. I think this is one of the most engaging ways to teach a class a subject, especially a new language. Imagine you are in a foreign country, you don't speak the language and you are finding it difficult to connect with your new class who don't have as much of a grasp of the concept as you'd like them to. I think one of the most universal languages are found in games. I feel playing a game in the classroom is a great ice breaker for the students and teacher to establish a healthy relationship in a fun and educational enviornment Playing classroom games increases overall motivation. In my previous experience, I find students become more motivated to pay attention and participate in class after a game. Games can also increase class morale and help students take part in a team. Using games in a lesson, as part of teaching and learning, helps to create positivity around the lesson, motivating students with their participation and creating a positive attitude towards learning. Playing a range of games can increase memory. As they play a game, young learners need to remember important details about a topic but also use their working memory to think and act quickly. I feel this is also a massive benefit specifically to young learners. From my personal experience, I think that starting or finishing a lesson with a game helps create a positive memory of the lesson they are about to begin or have just finished and they are both entering and leaving the classroom with a smile on their face. This reinforces a positive mentality with the student giving them a chance to become a better student and take the English language in a lot easier and having fun while doing so. I think that classroom games are especially important with young learners, many children are entering a new enviornment and are hesitant to take part in any classwork or group discussions. A classroom game is a great way to integrate them into the class and allow them to make friends while doing so. I think creating a group enviornment in the classroom is vital for young learners as it puts them in a community with other children their own age and helps them grow as people whilst having a great foundation in the English language. Although very important, having to answer questions on a worksheet, or produce a page of text can be quite daunting and stressful for some students. It can also create a negative perception of a students’ learning environment. I find that allowing students a break in the classroom to play a game relieves a lot of stress and gives them a lot more energy to continue with the work given to them after a game is finished. Playing games requires students to pay great attention to detail. As games can move quickly, when playing a game, a student needs to be alert and attentive. By carrying out a classroom game, many students go back to their desks full of energy and ready to take part in any classwork they have to finish. In conclusion, I think that classroom games are vital in TEFL teaching as they connect a teacher and students of a completely different culture under an umbrella of the fun and excitement that is a classroom game. It breaks the ice between students who may not have met before and it energises students for the day ahead leaving a positive atmostphere in the classroom aswell. References : https://www.teachstarter.com/gb/blog/10-benefits-playing-games-classroom-gb/