skkn APPLYING GAMES TO AN ENGLISH CLASS

Applying games to an English class

DONG NAI EDUCATION AND TRAINING DEPARTMENT

NAM HA HIGH SCHOOL

Code :
THE INITIATIVE EXPERIENCE

APPLYING GAMES TO AN ENGLISH CLASS

Teacher : DUONG LE THANH THUY
Research field :
Education management : ……………
Teaching method : English ………………
Methodology : ………………
Other fields : …………………
Attachments :
 Object

 Software

 Film

 Other things

School year: 2011 - 2012

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY

Applying games to an English class

CURRICULUM VITAE

I. PERSONAL INFORMATION:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Full name: DUONG LE THANH THUY
Date of birth: February 20th, 1977
Sex: Female
Address: 141/ 114 – Tan Phong – Bien Hoa – Dong Nai
Telephone number: 0918090244
Fax: E-mail :
Work: Teacher
Place of work: Nam Ha high school

II. Training standard
-

Diploma: Bachelor
Graduation year: 1998

Major in: Teaching

III. Scientific Experience
-

Major in: teaching
The length of service: 13 years
The initiative experience:
1. Combination of various skills in teaching “Word study” (2006 – 2007)
2. Teaching Speaking in a Reading period (2007 -2008)
3. How to check the previous lesson effectively (2008 – 2009)
4. Raising the effect of using English (2009 – 2010)
5. Developing students’ listening skill by varifying exercises (2010 -2011)

Index
School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
I.
The purpose of the chosen subject
A. The purpose of the subject chosen
B. The foundation from the fact

II.

Advantages and Disadvantages

A. Advantages
B. Disadvantages
C. Objects and Researching methods

III.

The content of the subject

IV.

The sample of teaching lesson

V.

Effect of application

VI.

Requirements

VII.

Conclusion

VIII. Reference data

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY

Applying games to an English class

A. The purpose of the subject chosen
Nowadays teaching as well as learning English is compulsory for all grades (from the
primary school to the university or especially after the university) because it plays an important role
in communicating, updating the information or doing researches.
School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
To teachers, how to teach effectively, applicably and attractively?
To students, how to learn the lessons by heart fast and easily as well as use them correctly?
This is always a big question for teachers before each teaching period and for students when
studying a foreign language (especially English). Basically, there have been many changes in
content and the methods of teaching foreign languages (in general), English (in particular).
The purpose of curriculums and books is helping students obtain the main knowledge of the
modern practical English and know how to use English as a means of communication. However,
students are still under pressure, students aren’t really active and creative because in Vietnam,
teaching and studying a foreign language (especially English) at the high schools as well as at other
grades mainly focus on grammar, that’s why an English class becomes boring and passive. To break
the silence in class and how to find out the solutions to this hot topic. It’s still a problem for
teachers of foreign language at the professional work-shops.
In fact, to find out the best solutions to the problems teachers often meet while teaching and
studying foreign languages, all groups and departments related to education usually carry out the
movements, the contests or the discussions which help teachers have opportunities to gather, talk to
and learn experiences with each other.
Thanks to the annual plan for writing the creative teaching experience of Nam Ha high

school and Dong Nai Education and Training Department, I think of the way to make an English
class more interesting and students feel relaxed while studying. With the 13-year teaching
experience, I have had an idea and applied it to the fact. That idea is named:

“ Applying games to an English class.”
B. The foundation from the fact:
-

To enable English classes more interesting and more fascinating.

-

To help students feel relaxed from the beginning to the ending of a learning period.

-

To help students get not only the knowledge but also the studying methods after each class.

ADVANTAGES AND
School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class

DISADVANTAGES

DURING MY PREPARATION

OF THE SUBJECT

A. Advantages:
-

Realizing the importance of studying foreign languages, many parents have paid more
attention to their children’s studying.

-

There are various teaching techniques supporting for an English class (computer, screen and
flash light).

-

The head-staff board always suports and helps teachers during the teaching period.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
- There are many experienced teachers in the Foreign language group.
-

In school, many teachers who are good at the I.T help us design games.

-

More students are interrested in learning English.

-

Teachers are always enthusiastic and creative in teaching.

B. Disadvantages:
-

Students’ capacity is much limited and at different levels. Some of them are quite deficient
in the base of learning English.

-

Some students pronounce habitally wrongly and the teachers feel in vain in correction.
Moreover, they transcribe English into Vietnamese without using the International Phonetic
Alphabet. This wrong study leads their lack of English knowledge. The teachers must face
this problem – A great difficulty in our teaching.

-

The majority of students have lack of self-confidence in listening to teachers’ expanation in
English.

-

Most students, for the sake of the university entrance examinations, consider some other
subjects, such as: maths, physics, chemistry, even biology more important than English. As
the result, they learn English with a rather ignorant attitude.

-

Time for a teaching period is relatively short.

-

In Bien Hoa city, there aren’t many opportunities for students to communicate in English.

-

Students fail to study properly and don’t have enough time to take part in the English
speaking clubs.

C. Objects and the methods of doing the research:
-

Objects: students at Nam Ha high school (class 11A1 – A2 – A3 – C2)

-

The methods of doing the research:
+ Read books as well as other documents.
+ Learn experience from the colleagues.
+ Do some experiments – make statistics – consider the results.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY

Applying games to an English class

CONTENT

With the following games, we can apply them to all the skills as well as the steps of teaching and
learning foreign languages ( particularly English). To make a teaching period more effective and
fantastic, teachers must be flexible in choosing the proper games for each lesson or each skill.

1. BRAINSTORMING/ NETWORKS

Eg : English 10 Unit 6 (Listening and Speaking)

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
Requirement : In this game, students can do it individually to show their feelings, thoughts and
ideas based on teacher’s given questions.
Performance : teacher makes questions – students answer.
Example:
1. Do you like traveling?
2. When do you often go?
3. Where do you like to go?
4. What do you often prepare for your trip or picnic?

Aim : This game can be used to introduce or enforce a lesson, such as “ Listening” or “Reading”.
Its purpose is helping students guess the subject and the information about the lesson. Moreover
students can review the previous knowledge and learn the new words by heart at the same time.

2. RUB OUT AND REMEMBER

Requirement : In this game, students can do it individually, in pairs or groups.

Eg: English 12 Unit 14 (Reading)
Performance :
-

Teacher gives a short passage or some sentences with the missing information.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
- Students read and fill in the gaps with the words they have just learnt. (Note : teacher asks
students to close all books and notebooks while doing the game.)

WORLD CUP, the international football
tournament, is held every four years. It is considered
the most popular sporting event in the world. The
World Cup is followed with passionate interest around
the globe- the final game of the 2002 World Cup
tournament attracted more than one billion viewers.
Aim : This game is for the consolidaion of a lesson, such as “ Listening” or “Reading”. It helps
students review the words they have just learnt. Besides, this game is vey useful for the lesson
having many difficult words because of its data and logicality.

3. CROSSWORD
Requirement : A class is divided into four groups in this game.
Performance :
-

Teacher gives the topic and some suggestions (the initial letters and pictures)

-

Students guess and write the answers.

-

When time is up, a representative of each group writes the answers on the board. The winner
is the group having more right answers. Teacher should give the winner a present to
stimulate their enthusiasm in the next class.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class

Eg: English 12 Unit 10 (Listening)

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY

Applying games to an English class

In another form, the teacher can give the questions

Eg : English 11 Unit 3

1
School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class

2
3
4
5
6

1. My mother often makes a………….. for my bithday.
2. On your birthday, you often receive a lot of …………………
3. The day when you were born is called…………………………
4. A piece of paper which you often write best wishes on for your friends on New
Year or Christmas Day. It’s a ………………..
5. ……………… is on December 24th.
6. January 1st is the day of ……………………

1 C A K E

2 P R E S E N T S
3 B I R T H D A Y
4 C A R D
5 C H R I S T M A S
6 N E W Y E A R
Aim : This game is used in “ Listening” or “Speaking”. Especially, we can use it to introduce or
conclude the lesson because students can guess the topic of the lesson or list the words and then
learn them by heart.

4. NOUGHTS AND CROSSES
This game is like “ ca ro” in Vietnamese. It can be done at the end of the lesson.
Requirement : A class is divided into two groups.
Performance :
-

Teacher forms a frame with a signal for each group. “ Nought” (O) for this group and
“ Cross” (X) for the other (colors instead).

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
- Each group does the game in turn. If the group has the correct answer, its signal or color will
appear on the screen. When time is up, the turn will be exchanged if that group has no
answer. If all two groups don’t have the answers, teacher will erase the signal or color.
When the group has three signals in one line, that group will be the winner. On the contrary,
when no group has enough signals as required, the winner will be based on the number of
the right answers.

Aim : we can use it to consolidate the lesson.

Eg: English 12 Unit 12 (Listening)

5. LUCKY NUMBERS/ STARS/ FLOWERS
Requirement : A class is divided into two groups.
Performance : This game is like “ The Road to Olympia Mount”
-

Teacher forms a frame with numbers.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
- Each group does as required with the chosen numbers. In this game, if they choose the lucky
number, they will be able to get a prize.

Eg : English 10 Unit 13 (Writing)
In this game teacher can give some questions related to the beneath picture.
1. What vehicles are used in the sea ?
2. What works were written by Walter Lord?
3. Which film made Leonardio Dicapro, an actor, become famous?
4. In which film did Leonardo Dicarpro act with Kate Winslet?
5. What is Kate Winslet’s nationality?

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
Aim :
-

This game should be used for introducing or consolidating a lesson such as “
Listening”,“Reading” or “Writing”.

-

We can combine this game with another game (ex: description) in “ Speaking” period or
“ More exercise”.

6. DESCRIPTION
Requirement : Students can play this game in pairs or groups.

Eg : English 11 Unit 1 (Speaking)

Performance: Teacher can give not only pictures but also suggestions and then make an
example.

- This is a baby girl.
School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class

- She is wearing a sleeveless dress with flowers and having some bubbles in hand.
- She looks very beautiful because she has white complexion,round black eyes, full lips, a
straight nose and short black hair.
- She looks very happy.

Aim : This game is often used in “ Speaking” period or “ More exercise” because it can help
students to recall and use the words they have learnt in “Reading” period effectively and
correctly.

7. QUIZ
Requirement : Students can play this game in pairs or groups.
Performance: Like “Ring the gold bell” game on VTV3, class should be divided into four
groups.
Then, teacher makes questions and students write answers on the boards (each group has a
small board).
Next, teacher will give one point for the group having the right answer.
At the end of the game, the winner is the group having the most points. They will be given a
prize and a special prize for the group having the right answer for the difficult question.
Aim : this game not only provides students with the basic knowlegde but also reminds them
of the applied vocabularies. It’s very useful for “Test yourself” period.
1. What mouse can go on 2 feet ?
(Mickey)
2. What mouse can’t go ?
(computer mouse)
3. Please tell the name of the national cities in China.
( Benjing, Shanghai, Trung Khanh and Tianjin)
4. What is the highest Mount in the world ?
(Mount Everest)
………………………………

8. MATCHING
Requirement : Students can play this game individually, in pairs or groups.
Performance: Like “Olympic English” program which is conducted by The National
Education and Training Department. Thanks to the information technology, we can let two
School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
lines of words run about three times for students to observe, remember and match them with
each other correctly.

Merry

Year

Happy

Ending

Sing

Claus

Santa

Chrismas

New

A song

Aim : this game helps students to react fast. It can be used in “ Listening” or “Reading” period.

The example lesson: Unit 3 - “Reading” - Grade 11.

I.

Warm up

BRAINSTORMING :
- Teacher gives students a game with some questions to discuss within 5 minutes.
- Students guess the answers.
- Teacher checks students’ answers and give some presents for the pairs or the groups having
more right answers to increase the excitement before beginning the lesson.
Example:
1. Do you like going camping?
2. Who do you go camping with?
3. Where do you often go camping?
4. What do you often prepare when you go camping?

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class

STRONG POINTS

Students can guess the content and the vocabularies of the lesson in advance or learn the
words they have just learnt by heart.
It can ease the Reading comprehesion lesson for students .
All students at any levels can take part in this game.

II. Pre- reading
VOCABULARY:
Teacher

- Teacher can give students some keywords to
guess the kinds of words as well as their
meanings .(students can do the preparation at
home.)

1. celebrate
2. anniversary
3. adult

Students
- Students do the exercise teacher gives

 (v) làm lễ kỉ niệm
 (n) ngày, lễ kỉ niệm
 (n) người trưởng thành

4. joke
5. milestone
6. silver anniversary

 (v/ n) nói đùa

 (n) cột mốc, mốc lịch sử

7. golden anniversary

 (n) kỉ niệm đám cưới bạc
 (n) kỉ niệm đám cưới vàng
Students learn these provided words visually within 5 minutes before beginning the new game.
School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
MATCHING

silver

celebrate

milestone

anniversary

golden
anniversary

cột mốc, mốc

ngày, lễ kỉ

kỉ niệm đám

làm lễ kỉ niệm

lịch sử

niệm

cưới bạc

kỉ niệm đám
cưới vàng

anniversary

Using the information technology to let 2 lines of words run in parallel for about 3 times for
students to match the words meaningfully. The winner is the group having the most right
answers.

STRONG POINTS
Students can learn the vocabularies by heart at the class.
It enables students to learn vocabularies in groups .
All students at any levels can take part in this game.

III. While- reading
READING COMPREHENSION
Teacher

Students

- Let students read- comprehend the
lesson individually, in pairs or
groups.

- Students read- comprehend the lesson individually,
in pairs or groups.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
- Teacher observes and answers
their questions.

- Students can ask teacher any questions while doing
the exercise.

- Students translate the lesson into Vietnamese as
teacher asks.

- Students do all the exercises as required.
- Teacher asks students to do all the
exercises in books or other
appropriate exercises because they

Task1: True False
1. Tet is always on 20th February on the western
calendar.

F

can help students understand and
remember the lesson faster and
more easily.

2. According to the text, for people anywhere in
the world the beginning of spring is the start of
a new year.

F

3. Tet used to be longer than it is nowadays. T

4. According to the text, “lucky money” is given
to everyone at Tet.

F

5. Kumquat trees are popular both in the North
and in the South of Viet Nam. T

6. People try to be nice and polite to each
otherbecause they want to have good luck on
School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY

Applying games to an English class
New Year’s Day.

F

Task1: Answer the questions:
1. When is Tet holiday in Viet Nam?
 Between the 19th January to the 20th February.
2. How long did the preparations and
celebrations for Tet last in the past?
 Over a month.
3. What do streets look like before Tet?
 Streets are decorated with colorful lights and
red banners.
4. What do people do to prepare for Tet?
 Buying gifts, cleaning and decorating their
houses and cooking traditional foods.
5. What is banh chung made from?
 It’s made from sticky rice, green beans and
fatty food.
6. What is mut?
 Candied fruit.
7. What are some popular activities at Tet?
 Going to the pagoda.
-

Giving and receiving lucky money.

-

Taking part in games and various forms
of entertainment

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class

RUB OUT AND REMEMBER
-

Teacher gives students a paragraph with some missing words.

-

Students use the words they have just learnt to fill in the gaps.

This is Lisa’s birthday. She is 7 years old. There is a big birthday
cake on the table.Their friends are singing the song “Happy birthday
to you” to congratulate her.Then she blows the candles on the cake.
While evereybody is eating cake and icecream, Lisa is opening the
gifts and cards which her friends and relatives give her. She looks very
happy.
Notice: In America, when they give their 30th birthday, they don’t
have candles on the cakes. On that day every year they often joke “I’m
29 years old today.”

STRONG POINTS

Students can easily remember the content of the lesson.
It enables students to realize the effectiveness of studying in pairs or groups through
games.
All students at any levels can take part in this game.
The“Reading” period becomes more exciting because all students work.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class

Effect of application
(school year:2009 - 2010)
Class
A number of
students are
interested in
English before
applying to the
new method.
A number of
students are
interested in
English after
applying to the
new method.

11A1 (42)

11A2 (43)

11A3 (43)

11C2 (40)

25 students

25 students

15 students

10 students

40 students

40 students

35 students

25 students

Requirements
Because of the characteristics of the subjects, we need the help of the modern techniques,
some specialized knowledge in computer as well as the information technology and the
infrastructure. So, through my writing, I hope that the head-staff board of Nam Ha high school and
Dong Nai Education and Training Department will supply us with some things below:
-

More labs for teachers to apply the new teaching methods to an English period effectively.

-

Improving the internet system and the programs related to using the information technology
in teaching.

-

More I.T courses for teachers at every level.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY


Applying games to an English class
- Popularizing the most creative teaching experiences with all other teachers to raise their
profession. That’s also the way to learn, exchange as well as apply the new methods to
teaching with each other.

Conclusion
-

Applying various games to teaching will help students learn more effectively and
excitingly. After having applied this new method to my classes I’ve taught for 13 years at
Nam Ha high school and got some certain benificial effects of application:
+ Students will be able to find their own way to improve other skills, such as: Writing ,
Reading…

-

+ Students’ deep love for English and their enthusiasm for learning English prove that we,
teachers, are somewhat successful in one of our teaching steps. And that means we are
getting closer and closer to the aim of that English is the communicative language among
students.

-

I decided to share this topic with the hope that it will be useful for teaching.

-

In my opinion, in order to make full use of it, teachers must make some efforts for the
following reasons:
+ Firstly, the allotted time for a teaching period is relatively short.
+ Secondly, it can take teachers a lot of time to design a game.
+ Thirdly, teachers should be flexible in choosing suitable games for each lesson. Besides,
choosing what words to teach, the way to distribute time reasonably is also very essential.
With this method, teachers play the role of activators.

School year: 2011 – 2012

written by: DUONG LE THANH THUY