10 Easy Games for Online Class
Using Games for Online Class
As an English teacher in the digital era, maintaining student engagement in online classes can be a challenge. However, incorporating online games into your lessons is an exciting strategy to make learning more enjoyable. This technique isn’t just fun, but can also help to improve retention and recall of new language concepts. In this post, we will explore some of the best games for an online ESL class, specifically designed to enhance vocabulary, spelling, and speaking skills.
Renowned linguist Stephen Krashen once said, “Language acquisition proceeds best when the information we are exposed to is not just comprehensible, but really interesting, even compelling.” This principle underscores why it is a good idea to play games in online ESL classes. Games foster teamwork and collaboration, a vital aspect in an online learning environment where students may be isolated from one another.
Hangman
Hangman is a classic game that can be utilized to practice vocabulary and spelling with your students.
Simply come up with a word or phrase, and have your student try to guess the letters one by one. If they guess a letter correctly, write it on the board. If they guess incorrectly, add a part of the hangman drawing. The student wins if they guess the word before the hangman is complete.
By guessing the letters one by one, students not only learn new words but also work on their spelling skills.
20 Questions
20 Questions is an excellent game to practice critical thinking and vocabulary.
Think of a word or phrase, and have your student try to guess what it is by asking yes or no questions. For example, if the word is “apple,” the student might ask, “Is it a fruit?” or “Is it red?” The student wins if they guess the word within 20 questions.
By guessing what a word or phrase is through yes or no questions, students learn to deduce information and expand their vocabulary.
Word Association
Word Association can significantly improve vocabulary and speaking skills.
Start by saying a word, and have your student respond with the first word that comes to mind. For example, if you say “dog,” the student might say “cat.” Then, have the student say a word, and you respond with the first word that comes to mind. This game can be played for a set amount of time or until one person can’t think of a word.
By associating words and responding quickly, students can learn new vocabulary and develop their quick-thinking abilities.
Scrabble
Scrabble is a popular board game that can easily be adapted for online lessons. It’s a great way to practice spelling and vocabulary, and encourages strategic thinking.
This game can be adapted for an online lesson with a single student. Simply set up a virtual Scrabble board and have your student try to create words using the letter tiles.
Word Ladder
Word Ladder is a fun way to practice vocabulary and improve speaking skills. Students are challenged to come up with new words by changing one letter at a time, encouraging them to think creatively.
Start by giving your student a word, and have them try to come up with a new word by changing one letter at a time. For example, if the starting word is “bat,” the student might come up with the words “bat,” “bat,” “cat,” “cot,” and “cog.” The student wins if they can come up with a new word within a set amount of time.
Hangman with Pictures
Hangman with Pictures is a variation on the classic hangman game. It adds a visual element to the game, enhancing students’ ability to describe and understand words in a more in-depth way.
Start by drawing a simple image on the board, and have your student try to guess what it is by asking yes or no questions. For example, if the image is of a dog, the student might ask, “Does it have four legs?” or “Is it a pet?” The student wins if they guess the word before the hangman is complete.
Word Scramble
Word Scramble is a unique way to practice vocabulary and spelling. By unscrambling words, students are encouraged to focus on word structure and spelling.
Start by writing a word and scrambling the letters. Have your student try to unscramble the word by rearranging the letters. This game can be played for a set amount of time or until the student unscrambles a set number of words.
Word Match
Word Match helps students learn definitions while practicing vocabulary. It’s an effective way to ensure that students understand the meaning of the words they are learning.
Start by writing a list of words on the board, and have your student try to match each word with its definition. The student wins if they can correctly match all of the words within a set amount of time.
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In conclusion, incorporating games into your online ESL classes can be both engaging and effective. From classics like Hangman and 20 Questions to more interactive games like Word Association and Word Ladder, there is a plethora of options to choose from. These games can make learning more enjoyable and aid students in retaining new information more effectively.
So, what games for online class do you like to use? Share your favorites in the comments!
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