THE IMPORTANCE OF GAMES IN LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Games can be one of the most enjoyable supplementary activities you can do with your class whether you use them once a week or once a day. In an intensive language program you can easily use one a day and the students will not tire of them because they provide a pleasant and relaxing break from the hard work of battling with a stubborn language. Because the games are by nature a supplementary activity and a time-out from the rigors of formal teaching and learning, they are best used to review or practice words and sentences that have already been introduced. In a limited way however, the games can be used to introduce new bits and pieces of language – especially vocabulary items and idioms.