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Engaging Grammar Instruction Through Games

Apr 4, 2025

Grammar Day Presentation: Grammar, Not Just Fun and Games

Introduction

  • Thank you for joining the Grammar Day celebration.
  • Title of the presentation: "Grammar, Not Just Fun and Games"
  • Focus: Engaging students in grammar instruction through games.
  • Agenda:
    • Overview of the title's meanings.
    • Effectiveness of games in grammar instruction.
    • Examples of engaging grammar activities.
    • Q&A session.

Meaning of the Title

  • "Grammar, not just fun": Highlights that grammar can be seen as tedious by students.
  • "Grammar, more than just fun and games": Emphasizes the importance of grammar beyond entertainment.

Are Games Effective for Grammar Instruction?

  • Importance of evaluating the effectiveness of teaching methods.
  • Questions to consider:
    • Why teach grammar this way?
    • Was the lesson effective?
  • Benefits of games in grammar instruction:
    • Encourages engagement and contextual practice.
    • Fosters healthy competition in a supportive environment.
    • Games should be meaningful and focused on structure.

Examples of Engaging Grammar Games

  1. Kahoot

    • Popular tool for interactive quizzes.
    • Research (Wang & Tahir, 2020):
      • Positive impact on learning performance.
      • Improved classroom dynamics and student attitudes.
      • Can lower anxiety through gamification.
    • Grammar and Beyond offers pre-developed Kahoot materials.
  2. Tense Competition

    • Focus on past tense verbs (regular and irregular).
    • Engage students through a team activity.
    • Create a cohesive text by filling gaps in a reading.
    • Use a projectable format for visibility and engagement.
  3. Investigators Inside the Classroom

    • Students correct sentences on the board based on common errors.
    • Builds writing and speaking skills.
    • Encourages peer discussion about corrections.
    • Keeps a journal for reference on common errors.
  4. Right Around the Room

    • A collaborative story-building activity.
    • Dictate a story starter; students write and pass papers to continue the narrative.
    • Promotes both reading and writing under pressure.
    • Results in a collective text for editing and revision.
    • Adaptable for different class sizes and levels.
    • Excellent for practicing editing skills and addressing common errors.

Conclusion

  • Grammar is more than just fun; it's crucial for effective communication.
  • Encourages the use of engaging activities to teach grammar effectively.
  • Presentation encouraged adapting and implementing new grammar games in classrooms.
  • Open floor for questions and discussion.

Additional Resources

  • Links to suggested books and materials for further reading.