How to desingn games in english lesons at primary school effectively

THANH HOA EDUCATION&TRAINING DEPARTMENT NGOCLAC EDUCATION &TRAINING OFFICE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE INITIATIVES HOW TO DESIGN GAMES IN ENGLISH LESSONS AT PRIMARY SCHOOL EFFECTIVELY WRITER: Tran Thi Viet Huong Job: Teacher Working place: Minh Tien I primary school Experience initiatives’ subject: English THANH HOA, YEAR 2018 CATALOGUE Contents Catalogue 1.Introduction 1.1.The reason of choosing the topic 1.2.Research purpose 1.3.Research subjects 1.4.Research method 2.Content initiative experience 2.1.The theoretical basis of initiative experince 2 The situation of the problem 2.3 The solution used to solve the problem Page 2 2 3 2.4 Effectiveness of initiative experience 3.Conclusion 12 3.1 Conclude 13 3.2.Suggest 13 15 REFERENCE MATERIALS CATALOGUE OF THE INITIATIVE EXPERIENCES CHOSEN FROM THE GRADES OF EDUCATIONAL 13 16 SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT INTRODUCTION It has been common knowledge that English plays an important part in our life Due to English, we can widen our knowledge to communicate with people all over the world Because of its importance, our education and training department decided that Engish is a main subject from primary to university grade However, It is very difficult to teach and learn English in primary school, especially in the countryside and moutainous places For most of things, I know the importance of inspirating desires of learning English for our fresh men, so I have always tried to find the best ways of teaching to stir my lessons by using some suitable games which make our pupils be keen on their new language and lead them to achieve their new knowledge through lessons actively Through games children are easy to learn,Team games encourage children to work together Moreover, they use all their senses when they play games,Children can use the knowledge they already have about rules and their roles in a game With those criterias, during the past few years, I have successfully applied my experienced initiatives which I courageously write and show out to share with my honorable readers about the topic: “How to design games in English lessons at primary school effectively” In the course of research, I believe that there will still be some errors, I hope to receive comments and advice from my leaders as well as colleagues 1.1 THE REASON OF CHOOSING THE TOPIC In real life, children learn through playing Therefore, using games in English classs can help children’s language learning Moreover, games create a child - friendly learning environment which help Teachers have more chance to develop their pupils’speaking skill – this is the most important skill for new beginners From my thoughts and experiences above I research this topic 1.2 RESEARCH PURPOSE When I write this idea, I would like to contribute my small part to motivate Primary pupils feel like learning this second language and gain better grade 1.3 RESEARCH SUBJECTS In my topic, I just focus on how to use games suitably in each unit of knowledge, such as: Some games focus on vocabulary & fluency, some reinforce accuracy or build up model senences…… 1.4 RESEARCH METHODS 1.4.1 Research, kinds of English tests to find out which can assess the qualifications and the knowledge of the students without any pressure 1.4.2 Research based on observation methods: attending worshops about techniques of teaching primary pupils Or classes of my colleagues 1.4.3 Research based on practice: Teaching with the attendance of some colleagues then discuss to learn from each other 1.4.4 Research based on studying materials related to designing games for primary lesson CONTENT INITIATIVE EXPERIENCE 2.1 THEORETICAL BASIS OF INITIATIVE EXPERIENCE The fact is that Children are not old enough to be able to understand or analyse the structure of a tense or other grammars that make them so confusing In the past I taught some primary classes about model sentences and ask them to explain the usage again but it seemed to me that most of them couldn’t acquire What I taught made my lessons rather boring So I think Teachers shouldn’t only teach basic knowledge in textbooks because learners will be passive and they will not feel confident as well as not flexible to adapt with changing daily life In the past few years methods of teaching have been changed to be with the development of society and communicative method has been used It means that in lessons pupils are centered to develop their creations and activeness through different activities Therefore, suitable games in lessons are the best choice 2.2 THE SITUATION OF THE PROBLEM 2.2.1 Advantages 2.2.1.1 On the part of teachers -Nowadays, there are so many textbooks , tapes or videos that provide kinds of games to motivate children to learn English Besides, Teachers are sometimes attended workshops that encourage Teachers to use games to consolidate knowledge - Have to access and use of new methods in teaching - Creativity, learn some appropriate teaching compatible with the content of the lecture - Teachers use modern equipment well such as computers, speakers, projectors, -Teachers should use bodylanguage in teaching if necessary 2.2.1.2 On the part of students - The majority of school students are eager to be taught this new language - They are very active and so industrious 2.2.2 Disadvantages Besides the above advantages, teachers and students exist back: 2.2.2.1 On the part of teachers Teachers also use several methods that are not child –friendly for primary pupils , so children sometimes don’t know the reason why they have to learn the lessons which make teaching and learning no meaningful 2.2.2.2 Teaching equipment Equipment used for teaching English is limited Some equipments are spoiled or outdated inconsistent with teaching More importantly, there is no function room which is also a challenge with Teachers to organize a game without any noise to classes around 2.2.2.3 On the part of students Pupils have no chance to practice at home because there is no English environment around them So schooltime to learn English is rather little.Moreover, some children are shy to communicate in English Before applying the games in lessons, I took a class survey to see the differences I chose class 4A at Minh Tien primary school with total pupil is 31 to a small test after learning theme 1(from unit to unit 4): This is the result before I apply the experience initiative: Result of before applying the experience initiative N G Excellent Good Fair Weak attitude To o like dislike Hesit de tal ation SL A 31 % 19 S % L 10 32 S % L 11 36 S L % SL/ Sl/ % % 11/36 6/19 Sl/ % 15/4 QUESTIONS OF A SMALL TEST PART - READING Question 1: Read and match 1p What nationality are you? A Yes, I can Can you cook? B It’s on the fifth of November What day is it today? C It’s Monday When’s his birthday? D I’m Vietnamese * Answer: ;2; 3; PART -writing Question 2: Fill in the blanks 1p Am _ rica We _ nesday M _ rch s _ im Question 3: Reoder the words to make meaningful sentences 2p is / today / What / date / the / ? -> ………………………………… I / volleyball / can / play / -> ……………………………………… What / you / on / / Tuesdays / / ? -> ………………………… from / Linda / is / England -> ……………………………………… * After finishing this test I did a survey to ask their attitudes : I ask:do you like this test?you tick “ x” in one of the squares :  like  dislike  hesitation *Comments after checking: the result of the survey showed that primary pupils felt so bored to exercises ,they were not keen on the subject,They had difficulty in practising both at home and at school and it seemed to me that they had no reason of learning 2.3 THE SOLUTION USED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS 2.3.1.Using games in lessons to build up students’ skills: The fact is that children love games and are always inventing new games to amuse themselves.Using games in class is a natural way for children to learn For example ,to practice vocabulary and pronunciation,we can play games which focus more on accuracy.This type of game require children to remember and repeat words and phrases.These games are more controlled and fluency practice games because we want the children to be more accurate in their language use In both fluency and accuracy practice.It is important that games help children to use chunks of language and not just single words or sounds Playing games really helps children improve vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar in a fun way but it is important that your games have a clear language focus.Before class,you need to prepare games carefully to make sure that they provide good language practice 2.3.2 How to design games in English lessons: It’s important that games must be suitable with the contents of each lesson, it means that Teachers must choose which games focus on grammar,vocabulary, Fluency, accuracy or so on Games are so meaningful and ceate a child–friendly learning invironment Games are suitable with Teachers and Pupils as well as school’s facilities Games wake up all children’senses, develop their creations, attract their attention, And enhance learning 2.3.3 Learning games’structures: -Name of the game -Aims of the game: To practice or revise which skill(vocabulary,fluency or accuracy…) -Game’s materials: Describe kinds of things used to play games -Number of players:how many people can join in a game -Rules of games: *First of all,get your pupils’attention before you start giving out the instructions *Plan what you are saying *Give short instructions *Make sure your instruction are in alogical order,using such signposts as first,second,next… *Always demonstrate what the students should be doing *Check that students understanding before starting, Short and simple instructions together with gestures are more efficient 2.3.4 How to play games: - Allowed time: from to minutes -How to organize: First,Teacher introduces name of the game, guide pupils to play by modeling the games(should be twice).This is a very good way of helping children to learn and remember rules of the games so they don’t have to remember long and difficult spoken instructions -Start playing game: Pupils are participants and Teacher plays as a referee -Teacher gives comments about results of game: Pupils’attitudes,mistakes should be avoided, or knowledge they have just practiced -After the game:Teacher should give reward for the winning team , it may be aclap,points,songs,sweets,pens…Which motivate children to learn better, besides If someone breaks rules of a game, Teacher should give them a child – friendly punishment such as: run one leg, dance or sing a song…It’s important that Teacher must be fair which makes children feel comfortable and ready to receive any punishments if they lose a game 2.3.5 Introduce some games for types of practicing skills at primary classes: I would like to introduce some games I have ever applied in my lessons: Game 1: Body labeling Materials: -A white board -14 sticky labels (or ‘post-its’ ) for each group of or students -A3 size paper for each group (option-see below) Head Arm shoulder eye hand nose mouth finger body leg toe foot knee thumb Aims of the game: to build children’s pronunciation and grammar Procedure: Use flashcard to teach or review the target vocabulary Check that the children know the words to practice pronunciation Write the words from the box above on the white board, eliciting the vocabulary from the children Put the children into team of or Give each group 14 sticky labels Students write one different word on each label Option A One child from each group is selected to be the ‘body’.The other children in the group put the sticky labels on the correct part of the body.The winning team is the first to stick the label to all correct body parts When they stick the label to the body part ,the children have to say:here’s the mouth , here’s the toe etc While the children are playing, monitor and check which words the children can’t remember or any problems with pronunciation At the end of the game , check the meaning of the words and practice pronunciation with the whole class You can this by having a drawing of a body or skeleton on the whiteboard Point to a body part and the class shouts out what it is Drill the pronunciation of the word Then write the word next to the body part.Repeat this for the words which children had problems with while playing the game Recording:Ask children to draw a skeleton or body in their vocabulary note books and label the body parts Important note: This game is great fun , and good for energizing pupils However , if you feel that it’s not appropriate to use the children themsves as the body , then you can use Option B for stage of the game: Option B: Give each group an A3 piece of paper and ask them to draw a skeleton or human body (or prepare one for each group yourself before the lesson) Each group sticks the labels on the correct part of the skeleton or body on the piece of paper The winning team is the first to stick the notes to correct body parts After the game :Teacher congratulates the winner and gives reward for the winner such as :a clap or candy… Game : The skeleton game Materials: - A white board - A set of written instructions (see below ) and one dice for each pair of children - A4 size paper for each child Children play this game in pairs Aims of the game: to build children’s pronunciation and consolidate their vocabulary Procedure: Prepare a handout with the following instructions and give one to each pair of children (or show the onstructions on the white board ): Play this skeleton game with a friend : Instructions:  Roll the dice You must get 1= a body to begin  When you get 1, draw a body on your paper  Take turns, roll the dice and draw the different parts of the body on the skeleton Don’t forget ! you must have a body before you can draw the shoulders , arms , legs or neck; you must have a head before you can draw the eyes, ears , nose and mouth !  The first person to finish his/her skeleton is the winner ! 1=body , ear 2= head , eye 3= neck , shoulders 4= arm , nose 5= leg , mouth 6=hand , foot Read the instructions with the children Model the game first and check they understand what to , eg Demonstrate how to play the game to the whole class, The children in each pair take turns in throwing the dice and then drawing a body part The winner is the first child to complete the skeleton with all the body parts Before the children play ,teach them useful functional language they need to play the game and let them practice repeating this language Eg “you start”,“It’s your turn “,”A five, good! I can draw a leg ”; “ oh ,no! I can’t draw anything.”; “I’ve finished!” While the children are playing ,monitor and note any problems with the meaning of the words or pronunciation At the end of the game ,spend sometime checking meaning of words , or practicing pronunciation After the game: Teacher congratulates the winner and gives reward for the winner such as: a clap or candy… Game 3: Bingo Materials: A black board Aims of the game: A great game for practicing/ reviewing almost any language area, for very young children you could use this game to revise letters of the alphabet For older learners, you could make it more challenging by giving definitions of words instead of just the words Procedure: Draw a word grid on the board and ask pupils to copy it Have them the words they have learnt in their lessons Lists the words on the board Each pupils chooses nine words from the lists to copy into their grid While they are doing this ,copy each word onto a piece of paper Put the pieces of paper into a bag and mix them up Select pupils to pick out a piece of paper and call out the word Pupils with that word in their grid can cross it out.The quickiest pupil to cross out an entire row of words in their grid and call out Bingo is the winner Alternatively , you can continue the game until one pupil has crossed all the words After the game :Teacher congratulates the winner and gives reward for the winner such as: a clap or candy… Important note : A great game for practicing/reviewing almost any language area For very young children you could use this game to revise letters of the alphabet For older learners, you could make it more challenging by giving definitions of words instead of just the words, Eg, teacher says “this shop sells bread and cakes” The children have to cross out “the baker’s” Game 4: Bees find words Materials: -Two flowers with petals, each flower has different colours, each petal has different numbers and sides behind sticked with magnet 10 + 10 bees written words and sides behind sticked with magnet: one four six two seven five nine ten eight three + colourful chalks Aims of the game: To check children’s vocabulary, create exciting atmosphere to learn in class Procedure: - Choose two teams , each team has members Teacher devides the board into two parts, each part has a flower and five bees arranged disorderly, then introduce name of the game: I have two flowers , there are numbers on each pental, there are words on each bee Your task is to lead the bee go with the word Two teams stand in two down lines, when you hear “start”, you quickly match the bees with the words correctly you inturns intil the last member The fastest team with the most correct matching is the winner After the game: Teacher gives reward for the winner such as: A clap or candy… Notes: You can change numbers in pentals in English and viceverse Besides, There maybe a word not suitable on each pental and find the way for bee to go with words and how to change Game 5: Pastimes Materials : There’s no need any preparation Aim of the game: To check children’s vocabulary, create exciting atmosphere to learn in class Procedure: Teacher draws two suns with rays of sunrise,devide class into two teams, give each team a chalk to write on the board any word ,then quickly give chalk to an other member in team When children hear “start”, each member of the team quickly writes on the board any word, only one word a turn , you can write two or more times Then move to other members of their team The game finishes from to minutes After the game :Teacher congratulate sthe winner and gives reward for the winner such as: A clap or candy… Notes: If there are the same words in each team, they only get one word Game 6: Simon says…… Materials: There’s no need any preparation Aim of the game: This is a classic and fun game You can play this game to revise the target grammar and /or vocabulary items with pupils Procedure: The teacher (or a pupil) instruct the class to carry out actions by saying ,for example, Simon says turn right or Simon says turn left If the teacher doesn’t begin the instructions with Simon says, pupils shouldn’t follow the instruction Anyone who fails to follow an instruction preceded by Simon says, or follows an instruction not preceded by Simon says, is out of the game The last pupil who remains is the winner After the game: Teacher congratulates the winner and gives reward for the winner such as: A clap or candy… Game 7: Slap the board Materials: A black board or rolled – up newspapers 10 Aim of the game: This is a fun game which reinforces the association between written and spoken words Procedure: Teacher devides class into pairs and line them up Give three of the pairs each a rolled –up newspaper Put flashcashs of the target vocabulary on the board, or write it on the board directly Call out a word and the three pairs should slap the corresponding word or picture on the board The quickest pair to slap the correct word/ picture stays in the game and will play with another two pairs of pupils The pair which remains till the end of the game is the winner After the game: Teacher congratulates the winner and gives reward for the winner such as: a clap or candy… Game 8: Kim’game Materials: A piece of cloth, collect a group of items of the same type, e.g.fruit Aim of the game: This is a memory game for revising vocabulary Procedure: Teacher arrange the items on a desk and cover them with a piece of cloth, without pupils seeing them Have a brief discussion with the class on what might be under the cloth, based on the shape and size of what they can see Divide the class into groups Show the class the items under the piece of cloth for 60 second Then cover the items again and ask each group to write down the names of as many objects as they can remember Groups get a point for each correct item The group with the most points wins the game After the game: Teacher congratulates the winner and gives reward for the winner such as :a clap or candy… Game 9: Physical line - up Materials: Slips of paper with target sentences on Then cut each of them into halves and put all slips into a box Aim of the game: This is a structure/ grammar game Procedure: Teacher asks each of pupil to draw a slip of paper from the box.(The number of pupils should equal the number of slips in the box) They should show the paper to the others and try to find the matching sentences halves, stand next to each other, and say the sentences aloud The quickiest group to say the correct sentence wins a point You may ask pupils to put the slips of paper back into the box and start the game again After the game: Teacher congratulates the winner and gives reward for the winner such as: A clap or candy… @ Progressions of teaching initiatives experience: - To base on the result of a children’s test ,I’m aware of disadvantages and restrictions of teaching and learning ,So I’ve studied to find new methods to teach primary children and I try to gain my three main aims: *First: To help students understand and remember easily 11 *Second :Create children’s excitement and concentration *Third: Children can learn actively and creatively, they are centered to practice more often in class -Here are some contents and guidelines to conduct some games in class: Primary pupils are beginners to English, so Teacher should inspire the excitement of learning English to them It means that every sentence should be so simple and child-friendly which make them be keen on learning, be active and develop their intelligence They can learn through games Therefore, it’s necessary to design games in lessons However, games must be suitable with contents of learning 2.4 EFFECTIVENESS OF INITIATIVE EXPERIENCE During the process of teaching English through games, I have realized effectiveness of an English lesson; Children become absorbed in the games really enhance learning, playing games gives children a real reason to use language to communicate with each other, children use all their senses when they play games, Using different approaches makes learning more memorable and appeals to different ways of learning, children can use the knowledge they already have about rules and their roles in a game Moreover, team games encourage children to work together and communicate with each other; again helping to increase fluency The fact is that games have a final outcome – this means children are using language to some thing which is more motivating and memorable than practicing language for its own sake Besides, games are easy to learn –children can usually learn and remember the rules of games easily This means you can use the same game again to practice different language and the children will remember how to play the game The effectiveness of teaching initiatives is assessed through the survey of children’s learning result and their attitudes Please see below the result of evaluation before and after applying games in English lessons in class 4A- at Minh Tien primary school: Class ( total) 4A(31) Knowledge level classi ficati on before Attitude after 12 Attitude before after Excel lent (25,8%) Good 7(22,5% ) 13(42%) 13 (42%) Like 11 (35,5%) 20 (64,5% ) (6,5%) (29%) 15 Dislike (48%) (22,6%) Fair Hesitation 13 (6,5%) (41,9%) Weak 3(9,7%) 1(3,5%) After choosing and applying some games in my lessons, I saw their excitementand absorbabilities in learning, they feel more confident in communicating in English Especially, They are eager to wait for my English lessons CONCLUSION 3.1 CONCLUDE From my point of view: “How to design games in English lessons at primary school effectively ” is a process to use some tactics to help children consolidate their knowledge and improve their English kills as well as enhance their inspiration in English However, Teachers should be flexible to adjust their lessons to make it suitable with each class ,besides Teacher should give clear explanations, keep it so short and simple which will bring the best result However, My initiative experience is likely to have some mistakes, I have still adjusted during my teaching, and I need to learn from my colleages, so It will be grateful if I receive any comments from my honorable readers I hope my initiative experience will be an effective method to motivate primary pupils to learn English better This will help Teachers apply the communicative method successfully 3.2 SUGGEST 3.2.1 For the school managing board -English is a typical subject, Teachers need to be equipped enough teaching materials such as: Function room, cassette, tapes So I hope school leaders and local authority will pay attentionto our teaching conditions much more, This will help teaching as well as learning English more and more effective -Organize English club once a week with different topics to attract pupils to learn English through songs, chants, games -A worthy reward for teachers to teach effectively and the prizes in the contest good students at district level, provincial level 3.2.2 For the Department of Education and Training -Organize workshops, improve the professional skills of teachers throughout the district at the begining of every school year 13 -Organize the meeting English speaking students to schools create new inspiration in learning, and motivation for students -Our colleagues’experience initiatives of graded A in districts which are chosen from the educational scientific department need to be widely popularised, this will help us learn different good methods from each other to make our lessons more suitable and more interesting Thanks a lot and best wishes! Principal’s signature Ngoc Lac, March 6th, 2018 I declare this is my own work and works of others I am liable for any copyright and plagiarism problems related to this work Written by: Nguyen Van Luong Tran Thi Viet Huong REFERENCE MATERIAlS HUNG ANH –LAM UYEN Learning English through games (Educational publishing house) NGUYEN THI MAI HOA-Teaching English for Children through themes(Educational publishing house) 14 NGUYEN QUOC TUAN-some of basical parts in teaching and learning English (Educational publishing house) 4.British council learn English kids website:http://www.britishcouncil.org/kidssong-scary-skeleton-activity.pdf 5.British council teach English (www.teaching english.org.uk) And learn English (http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish/) 6.British council (2009) Motivating learning 7.Cameron,L.(2001)Teaching languages for Young learners.Cambridge:CUP 8.Carolyn,C(2006).Creating chants and songs.Oxford:OUP 9.Hancook,M.(1998).singing grammar.Combridge:CUP 10.Moon,J.(2000) Children learning English-A guidebook for language teachers.MacMillan Publishers Limited 11.Pasigna,L.A.,(1997).Tips on how to manage a large class,Institute for International Research,Inc 12.Read,C.(2007).500 Activities for the primaryclassroom.MacMillian 13.Scott,W.A&Ytreberg,LH.(1990).Teaching English to children.Newyork:Longman 14.Chin,J.(2009) Primary Teacher Traning Materials,US Embassy,HaNoi 15.Wright, A.(1995).storytelling with children.Oxford:OUP 15 CATALOGUE THE INITIATIVE EXPERIENCES CHOSEN FROM THE GRADES OF EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT Name of the writer: Tran Thi Viet Huong Place of working: Minh Tien Primary school No Names of the initiative experiences Grades of educational scientific department Some methods of warm-up Ngoc lac educational stage at secondary school scientific department Some methods of practice Ngoclac educational speaking English well for scientific grade students department How to practice speaking Ngoclac educational English well for grade scientific students department 16 Results of School the years of assessment assessment B 2010-2011 A 2013-2014 B 2015-2016 17 18 ... at the begining of every school year 13 -Organize the meeting English speaking students to schools create new inspiration in learning, and motivation for students -Our colleagues’experience initiatives... communicating in English Especially, They are eager to wait for my English lessons CONCLUSION 3.1 CONCLUDE From my point of view: How to design games in English lessons at primary school effectively. .. are shy to communicate in English Before applying the games in lessons, I took a class survey to see the differences I chose class 4A at Minh Tien primary school with total pupil is 31 to a small