Игра - "Vocabulary Around the World"

Vocabulary Around the World Game

This is a simple, straightforward way to engage your students in a speaking activity to practice new, basic vocabulary words covered during a lesson. Once the instructions have been given and the students understand how the game works, very little is required of the teacher and the game is mostly student driven. The fun, competitive nature of the game engages the students with new English vocabulary in a low pressure environment. This activity is typically used for young learners studying as a basic level, but can be modified for older learners by including reading, more complex sentence structures, or question and answer.

TIME: 10-15 Minutes, depending on the time needed for instruction and modeling as well as the time needed for classroom management. If the students are very engaged, the teacher can extend the game for as long as they see fit.

MATERIALS NEEDED: Picture flashcards of vocabulary for the lesson. Prizes for the top 2 winners (school materials).

1. Following the introduction and modeling of new vocabulary, ask your students to clear a space somewhere in the classroom and to sit down in a circle.
2. Explain to the group that you will play a game called “Around the World” to practice speaking and model 1-3 rounds for them to see.
3. The teacher will choose one student to begin by asking them to stand up and to move behind the person seated next to them, so they will be competing 1 vs. 1.
4. The teacher will be holding the new vocabulary picture flashcards they just introduced to the class.
5. The teacher will count 1,2,3, and then flip over one flash card for the two students to see.
6. The first student to speak the correct vocabulary word loudly and clearly is the winner and will then proceed to move to their right so they are standing behind the next student in the circle.
7. The goal of the game is for one student to make it around the entire circle of students (or, around the world!!) as the winner of the game.
8. If no student makes it around the world as the winner, the student who can beat the highest number of other students is the winner, so the teacher will want to keep track of how many people they beat.
9. If there is no winner “around the world”, the teacher will decide when the game is finished based on timing and student engagement. The students with the top 2 number of individual wins will receive a prize at the end of the game.

MODIFICATIONS

●     Once the game is moving without any problem and the students are getting competitive and engaged, the teacher can ask one of the higher achieving students to take his/her place holding and flipping the flashcards for the two competitors to see. This allows the teacher to stand closer to the students speaking to judge who spoke first, correctly, and loudly.

●     If you are working with more advanced language learners, no problem! You can substitute the picture flashcards for written words, sentences, or even a question for the students to answer quickly. Once the game gets moving, students of all ages enjoy the competition.

This game will give your students an opportunity to practice speaking in a fun, competitive environment! Have fun!