Teach English in ZhAngzhu Zhen - Wuxi Shi

Quite a few games we enjoyed playing when we were kids have become increasingly popular in classrooms over the past decades. Teachers implement them into their lessons no matter the age of their students. How come more and more games find their way into the classrooms? And, are they not just a distraction or is there more to classroom games than we think? Some people, especially the older generations and even some teachers, may consider classroom games a waste of time and a diversion that keeps students from concentrating on the essentials. If we look back at the way of teaching in the past, it is of no surprise that an aversion towards such practices is seen. Back then discipline was the measure of all things and teachers enforced it at all times. Students had to be quiet, do their assignments and follow their tutors’ instructions if they did not want to get punished. It was not just disciplining by means of doing lines or detention, but it was physical punishment children feared. Times have changed, fortunately, and so did the educational system. As mentioned before, an increase in the usage of games in classrooms is noticeable. ‘But why?’, you may think. Well, there is a simple explanation to that. As with the majority of scientific topics, studies have been (and still are) conducted and tests carried out regarding education and the psychology behind it. Psychologists, professors and other professionals, who looked into this subject, have come to the conclusion that there are indeed benefits to classroom games. For one, fun activities can be used to start a lesson. They help with repeating knowledge that has been acquired during previous lessons or with introducing new topics. It is a great tool to get students to participate, have them focus on the class and to encourage them to use the English language. A good example would be the game ‘Catch the ball’ where students need to pass a ball around and ask each other different questions or they need to do tasks upon receiving it. Furthermore, they are useful in creating diversified lessons. Especially when working with children, whose attention span is pretty short, it is important to include some games to prevent boredom and the associated inattentiveness. But not only kids benefit from these activities, adult students can too. By breaking up the monotony of learning, through the use of classroom games, time is given to catch a breath and to let the brain process the information it has received. Though this does not mean that these games are just for entertainment, because when they are put into practice accordingly, they also serve an educational purpose. One more benefit of those activities worth mentioning is, that they assist teachers in building rapport with students and also between the students themselves, considering they do not know their classmates. Games are a great means to break the ice and to get people to engage with one another. Since grammar and correct spelling are not of importance while playing, disciples can become creative in their use of the English language and do not need to be afraid of embarrassing themselves by making mistakes. It also creates a much more pleasant atmosphere that students are more likely to want to return to. With so many good arguments and so much evidence backing classroom games, one can for sure say that they are indeed beneficial to lessons and enrich the whole learning experience. What do you think? Have you always been a supporter or are you still sceptical about the inclusion of games in classes? Regardless of one’s opinion, it is safe to say that such activities have become an integral part in the routine of a lesson and teachers will continue using them for the benefit of students.