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Activity 6: Children's Games

In village you may have the opportunity to teach a group of children either in an informal environment or a local classroom. Games are fun and children like to play them, especially Thai children. Language learning may not be a priority for a child but through using language and games together they can be stimulated and use the target language effectively.

There are many resources from books and the internet containing English language games for children. We have identified a selection below which we have found to work well. It is important to introduce any new vocabulary first, practice the pronunciation and then start the activity.

1. "Teacher Says"
   a. Introduce new vocabulary, for example body parts (nose, ear, leg, arm, etc.) or action verbs (stand up, sit down, jump etc.)
   b. Call out a command, Teacher says: touch your nose
   c. The children must do what you say
   d. Call out another command, touch your leg, this time leaving out Teacher says. If children do the action they are out.
   e. Last child left can then become the caller and you can take part in the game while monitoring.

2. Touch It
   a. Introduce color vocabulary
   b. Split children into teams
   c. Order one member of each team to touch something a particular color. Touch something green.
   d. The fastest child gets a point for their team
   e. Variation: you can use this to practice different objects, shapes etc.

3. Hangman
   a. Pick a word the children know and draw a dash for each letter on the board
   b. Divide the children I two teams and have each team call out a letter in turn
   c. If the letter chosen is in the word write it above the dash
   d. If the letter is not in the word write it somewhere else on the board and draw a line of the gallows
   e. Continue this until either team completes the word or a team is executed
   (ie. When you have completed the drawing of the gallows, including the hanging stick man)
   f. Give the winning team a point

4. Find It
   a. First practice the alphabet
   b. Hold up a letter flashcard or write a letter where the children can see it
   c. The children have to find something in the room beginning with that letter
   d. Variation: create vocabulary flashcards, for example animals. The cards can be spread around the room and the children find a card beginning with the letter

Suggestions for Further Teaching

  • A search for English games for children on the internet will provide a great deal of material. This will help you find something suitable for the ages and ranges of children available.
  • As well as games, children like to recite songs when they are together. Use classic children's songs like 'Old MacDonald had a farm', 'head, shoulders, knees and toes' and 'I can sing a rainbow' to practice vocabulary. Lyrics can be found on the internet if required.