The TOP 15 games that are presented in the following posts are the games that we personally love playing in the classroom with my students’. They are from the book “Games for Language Learning” by Cambridge university (reference can be found below).
GAME #14
Language
Writing parts of a text, guided by cues as to general purpose, but deprived of the ability to communicate with or see the contributions of one’s co-authors
Procedure
- Divide the class into groups of eight players. If you have smaller groups then some of the learners must write two sentences or more.
- Demonstrate how to fold a piece of A4 paper into eight strips: fold the paper in half, then in half again, and in half one last time; making all the folds parallel. Then, guided by the resulting creases, refold the paper into zigzags, like the squeezy parts of a concertina or accordion. Ask one learner from each group to fold a piece of paper in the same way.
- Explain that the game proceeds as follows. The first player writes their contribution on the first panel of the concertina, i.e. the topmost panel. The player should do this quietly and secretly, folding the panel over when they are done, so that no one else can see what was written. Next, the second player follows suit, then the third, and so on, until all eight contributions have been added. The last player has the task of unfolding the concertina and reading out loud to the others the full text of the little story that results.
The story is guided by the following formula, which prescribes what each player should contribute:
Fold 1 (time) …
Fold 2 (place) …
Fold 3 X (male character’s name) met …
Fold 4 Y (female character’s name)
Fold 5 He said …
Fold 6 She said …
Fold 7 The consequence was …
Fold 8 and …
Variation 1 New Year’s resolutionsExample
In many countries it is customary, on New Year’s Day, to promise improved behavior for the following year. The idea of the ‘New Year’s Resolution’ provides a basis for a variation of the above Story consequences game.
- Divide the class into groups of five learners.
- Ask each group to make a four-part concertina (see main game) and add to it in turns.
Fold 1 I, (name), will …
Fold 2 (resolution),
Fold 3 if (name) says he/she will …
Fold 4 (resolution)
3. Invite the fifth learner to read the complete text to the class.
Example
Reference
Wright, A., Betteridge, D., & Buckby, M. (2006). Games for Language Learning (3rd ed., p. 68, 69, 70). New York: Cambridge University Press.
Colors of Teaching 