| If you have ever experienced teaching English as a | | | | teams letter, X or O. The first team to make a line of |
| second language to children then you know how | | | | three in a row e.g. OOO is the winner. |
| difficult it can be at times to hold their attention. A | | | | Another good game that students enjoy is the 9 |
| possible solution to the problem is to run a few games | | | | letters game. The teacher divides the class into teams. |
| through your lessons to give a sense of fun and | | | | The teacher writes nine letters on the board, including |
| enjoyment. This article gives a brief introduction to | | | | the letters a, e, i, o, u. Students have to make words |
| some games that are popular with ESL kids. | | | | using the letters. They get a point for each letter in a |
| The first game is X/O. Divide the class into two teams, | | | | word, so a word such as 'beach' would get their team |
| one is X and the other O. Choose a topic, such as | | | | five points. The team with the most points in an allotted |
| clothes, and draw nine squares on the board and | | | | time is the winner. |
| number them one to nine. Write a random letter in | | | | Lastly, their is the game known as Run/Stop. The |
| each square and ask the students to choose one of | | | | teacher says a verb and the students mime the action. |
| the squares. The students have to give a word that | | | | The teacher then shouts 'stop' and the students have |
| begins with the letter in the square and is also a | | | | to freeze. Any students that do not remain still are out. |
| member of the chosen topic, such a hat for h, sock for | | | | The last student left is the winner. |
| s. As the topic example is clothes. If they give a | | | | I hope these games are helpful and give you some |
| correct word they get to mark the square with their | | | | support in what can sometimes be a difficult task. |