What are some effective ways to teach language skills through game-based learning?

1 Listening skills

Listening is a crucial skill for language learners, as it helps them comprehend and communicate with others. Games can be an effective way to improve listening skills, as they expose learners to authentic and varied input, challenge them to follow instructions and clues, and encourage them to respond and interact. For example, bingo is a great game for learners to mark words or phrases related to a topic or genre, while guess who involves learners asking and answering yes/no questions to guess who a famous person, character, or animal is. Taboo is another game that requires learners to explain words or concepts to their partners without using certain forbidden words.

2 Speaking skills

Speaking is an important skill for language learners, as it enables them to communicate and interact with others. Games are a great way to help learners develop their speaking skills, as they offer chances to practice and use the language in creative and meaningful ways. Additionally, games can boost learners' fluency, confidence, and pronunciation. Story cubes, two truths and a lie, and 20 questions are some examples of games that can foster speaking skills. With story cubes, learners roll dice with images or words on each side and create a story based on what they get. Two truths and a lie involves learners writing or saying three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. With 20 questions, learners think of a word or concept and their partners ask up to 20 yes/no questions to figure out what it is.

3 Reading skills

Reading is an essential skill for language learners, as it allows them to access and process information from various sources and genres. Games can be used to boost reading proficiency by exposing learners to different texts and formats, challenging them to comprehend and analyze them, and encouraging them to infer and predict. For instance, word search puzzles with words related to a topic or genre can be created for learners to find in a grid of letters. Crossword puzzles with clues related to a topic or genre can also be created for learners to fill in the blanks with the correct words. Additionally, scavenger hunts with clues or riddles hidden around the classroom or school can be used for learners to read and follow in order to find a prize.

4 Writing skills

Writing is a valuable ability for language learners, as it allows them to communicate their ideas in a coherent and organized manner. Games can help learners to enhance their writing skills by providing them with prompts and models, challenging them to use different structures and vocabulary, and motivating them to revise and edit. For example, Mad libs allows learners to fill in blanks with random words to create humorous stories. With Acrostic, learners can write a word or phrase vertically and then compose a sentence or word for each letter horizontally. Chain story is another game where learners can write a sentence or paragraph to initiate a story, which is then passed on to the next person until it's complete.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?