Teacher's tips

Level of Education: Elementary School

Subject: English

Theme: English vocabulary - objects and animals

Age: 8 to 12 years old

English is a universal language. Playing games to learn English is a typical methodology and enables the students to learn in a playful environment, which makes them more engaged. This game allows ludic resources to be stimuli in the teaching-learning process, using the vocabulary of names, objects, and animals.

Learner outcomes

To develop reading skills in English;

To use animals and objects vocabulary in English;

To memorize the written forms of names, objects, and animals in English;

To learn information about the countries that have English as their native language;

To reinforce content discussed in class.

Teachers' goals

To stimulate learning English;

To show students that learning a new language can be fun;

To improve their writing skills;

To discuss different peoples and cultures.

Suggestions of approaches for the teacher

(Approach 1) Ask students to sit in pairs to play together and share their knowledge. They have to repeat the words as they play. Suggest that they find a way to memorize the order in which they appeared in the game.

(Approach 2) Ask students to write the words of the game on their notebooks. Then, use their notes to discuss topics related to that vocabulary. This can also be homework.

(Approach 3) The geography teacher can talk to students about countries where English is their official language. Then play a quiz with students.

Suggestions of questions:

2. Which is the capital of England?

3. How is the government like in England?

4. Do you know which are the two most famous universities in the world? Where are they?

5. How did the Australian natives used to live?

6. Mention two animals you can find in Australia.

7. What is the name of the third biggest country in the world?

8. What is the USA's capital?

9. How many states are there in the USA?

10. Cite two famous monuments that are in the USA.

11. Canada is a bilingual country. Which are the official languages of the country?

12. What is the country formed by islands that are part of Oceania?

(Approach 4) The science teachers can talk about animals in English, where they live, and their body parts (claw, tail…). Then, ask students to draw the animals.

(Approach 5) Choose songs students will likely like and that are related to the topics of the game. Print the lyrics for students to sing along. Then, ask them to circle words they don't know and look for them in a dictionary.

(Approach 6) Take students to watch a cartoon or a movie in English. Repeat it three times. In the first one, play it without subtitles and ask them to share what they can understand. The second time, put on subtitles and ask them to see if they can understand more this time. Then, explain the main ideas and play the video the last time for students to understand it completely.

(Approach 7) Play hangman or snowman.

(Approach 8) Play word search in English.

(Approach 9) Play crosswords with the topics discussed.

(Approach 10) Play mimics. A student goes to the front of the classroom and mimes so students guess. The ones who guess it right must say the answer in English out loud.

(Approach 11) To work with mathematics, plan a cooking class. At the same time, students get to practice new vocabulary and work with numbers and measurements.

More about the content

Even though English is only one language it is not the same everywhere. Knowing a little about it will guarantee efficient communication. There are a few examples of words that change their writing in American and British English variants.

Catalogue – Catalog

Program – Program

Theatre – Theater

Colour – Color

Centre – Center

Humour – Humor

Flat – Apartment

Crisps/ chips – Potato chips / French Fries

Cinema – Movie Theater

Film – Movie

Toilet – Bathroom

Holiday – Vacation

Sweet – Candy

Biscuit – Cookie

Motorway – Highway

Lorry – Truck