Using Games For Learning Foreign Languages

Games are probably one of the most innovative ways of learning foreign languages. They help students in a foreign language class to open up. They also teach us how to use natural, free flowing language rather than the stilted, bookish versions of it.

Advantages Of Using Games For Learning Foreign Languages

Games can help you relax and feel less self-conscious when learning language skills. Here are some ways in which games help during the foreign language learning process-

1) Reduce stress

Games reduce the stress a student may experience in a formal classroom atmosphere, helping him or her, imbibe the lessons faster.

2) Distraction

Games provide a distraction from the performance factor. You are less worried about the correctness of your language abilities and more worried about winning the game.

3) Competition motivates

Once you are in a competitive situation, placed against another player or team, you will be motivated to do better in order to win.

In other words, games can help achieve communicative competence when learning foreign languages. They create a meaningful context where you can use the language. Further they motivate you to do better.

Innovative Games For Learning Foreign Languages

Here are some fun games to help speed up the process of learning foreign languages-

1) Treasure Hunt

Ask someone to hide “treasures” in different locations. Then divide yourselves into groups and find the treasures using the clues given. Remember to use only the target language when speaking to your team members.

2) Jigsaw

With your team members, assemble a jigsaw puzzle. Then use a few sentences in the target foreign language to describe the puzzle.

3) Mathematical Quiz

Work as a team to solve a mathematical puzzle. Again, remember to use only the target language for interacting amongst yourselves. This is one of the most exciting ways of learning numbers when learning foreign languages.

4) Story

Listen to a story narrated on a recorded cassette. Then try to guess the title of the story.

5) Drawing

One person describes a picture in the target foreign language. Others try to visualize the object and draw it.

6) Computer Games

With the advent of advanced gaming software, you can now use computer games too for learning foreign languages. You can follow the game instructions in the target language, and have fun while building up an enviable vocabulary!

Games help you to overcome shyness and open up to peers in a language learning class. Games have been found to be the best way of learning foreign languages, as they promote a healthy spirit of competition that motivates you to improve your language skills while at the same time making you feel less self-conscious. So go ahead and enjoy games while learning a foreign language.