Teach English in Dazhongcun Zhen - Linyi Shi

Grammar plays a central role in every language class, therefore an important aspect of language teaching . The big stumbling block in the teaching of grammar is how to teach it effectively and how to keep the lesson interesting while introducing the rules to language accuracy. “ I remember walking into my first young learners’ classroom with the sense of trepidation and concern. Will the students enjoy my lessons ?” (Sketchley,2014:5). Teachers can use a variety of strategies in their classrooms to create an effective teaching and learning environment. The aim of this essay is to discuss the use of games to teach grammar to EFL young learners 6 to 12 years old, how to help them retain the language subconsciously through the use of games as well as a brief discussion about the differences between the game based activities and the traditional ways of teaching. Teaching grammar to young learners is different from teaching it to adults. With young learners it’s very important to give clear instructions; they need a clear context to help them connect and associate with the language. Children have a limited vocabulary in their disposal, so the language must be simple and familiar. Other things to take into consideration when teaching young learners are to give them the opportunity to revise and review the language, to help them remember and gain confidence, and to choose a motivating and interesting topic. Young learners have a short attention span and they are active doers and thinkers, so the variation in the teaching techniques such as engaging them in games can direct their energy toward language learning in a fun and effective way . “ Games are fun and children like to play them. That in itself is a strong argument for incorporating them in the EFL classroom.” (Lewis & Bedson,1999:5). In addition to the motivating role games can play on teaching, such activity can also increase the cooperation and competition in the classroom, which creates a bonding among students. “ Games in the language classroom help children to see learning enjoyable and rewarding. Playing games in the classroom develops the ability to cooperate, to compete without being aggressive, and to be a ‘ good loser’ (Phillips,1993:91). Another benefit of the use of games in teaching grammar, stated by the authors Saricoban and Metin (2000), is that games let students ‘practice and internalize vocabulary, grammar and structure extensively’, due to they are bared over and over again to the same target grammar. ‘Jumbled sentences’ game is a good example of how exposing learners to the target language through games can keep them focused and make them absorb grammar subconsciously . “This is a good game especially for grammar structures where students can struggle with word order (conditionals, passives, adverbs of frequency)” (Warren,2017). Before starting the activity, prepare sentences using the target language and re-write them for yourself in jumbled form. Put students into pairs and give each pair a mini-whiteboard and pen, or just some paper. Dictate the jumbled sentence to the students, asking them to the write down the words as they hear them. Once all the words have been dictated tell the students to re-order the words as quickly as they can. The first to finish get the points. Another game to teach grammar to young learners is the ‘Big clock ‘ game (Lewis & Bedson,1999:44). The aim of this game is to use the present tense and tell the time. The procedure of the games goes as follow: Clear a large space in the classroom. Distribute the cardboard squares and the clocks around the room, making a winding snake. This is the track of the life sized board game. Child 1 rolls the dice and moves forward. If child 1 lands on a clock, he or she must tell the group what he or she normally does at that time: At six o’clock I eat dinner. If the answer is correct, the child stays still. In turn, the other children may answer the question. If they give a grammatically correct , plausible answer, they may move forward. Child 2 now rolls the dice. the first player to reach ‘finish’ wins. Some schools are still using the old fashioned ways of teaching; Where the teacher is the center of the classroom and the only knowledge source available to the students. The traditional method allows no collaboration or group work, it is all based on recitation and memorization of the assignments. This method puts the emphasis on the examinations and results rather than understanding of the concept. On the other hand, the use of games in the classroom not only breaks the ice of sitting behind and listening to the teacher talking and using chalk, but it also concentrates on the understanding of the language point in a motivating and entertaining way through group participation. The use of games in the classroom proved its effectiveness in the teaching of grammar. Before,grammar was seen as a difficult and boring subject,especially for the young learners, who are not easily motivated. By involving the students in games and fun activities, they become committed to improve their language and they are given the opportunity to be creative with it. “ Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin. References: -Sketchley,M.(2014) How to teach English to young learners. -Lewis,G & Bedson,G.(1999) Games for children.Oxford:oxford university press. -Philips,S.(1993) Young learners.Oxford:oxford university press -Saricoban,A & Metin,E.(2000) Songs,verse and Games for teaching grammar.The TESL journal,Vol.6,no.10. -Warren,A.(2017,August 1). Games to make grammar fun [blog post].Retrieved from https://ngl.cengage.com/infocus/index.php/2017/08/01/games-make-grammar-fun/