This post is a part of a series 'games to use in class'

Part 2:     Improvisation, games for teaching English 2  

Sometimes playing games with the target language help students acquire the rules much better. I love playing tic-tac-toe.

 1. Draw the grid on the board

2. Number each square

3. Divide the class as noughts and crosses

4. The winning team is the first team to get 3Xs or 3Os in a row

You can play tic-tac-toe for vocabulary review. Write the definitions on slips of papers, the word or use flashcards for younger students.

 For grammar review, prepare cards and on cards write prompts.

For example: Complete the sentences:

1.       --------------------- you ever (go) ----------------- abroad?

2.       While I was working, somebody.....

3.       She can’t stand ..........

Don't forget to prepare more than 1 prompt for each square beacuse you will need extra questions when students can't answer your questions.

Pros of using games to review grammar or vocabulary:

1. Students can be more careful and in order to win they can be focused

2. They can see their mistakes.

3. They want to win

4. It is fun

5. Competition is good

 Cons

1.  Losing a game is not good

2. They can become nervous

 In every classroom, there will be more competitive students and they will enjoy more. There will be the quiet ones who will be shy or the weak ones who will cause the team to lose but isn't life a game?