Using Games to Teach English Grammar

English is notorious as a difficult language to learn. This is due in large part to the challenges presented by English grammar.

Perhaps the best way to teach grammar to young kids is with the use of games. Learning grammar can be frustrating and seemingly impossible, so spicing up the learning process with games or activities can make this less tedious and more enjoyable. Games are a good way to hold children's interest while getting them to do a somewhat repetitive activity, and this is a crucial aspect of the process of learning grammar.

Best of all, a grammar game does not have to be overly complex. Almost any simple game can be adapted for teaching grammar. For example, consider the time-honored game "Tic Tac Toe". This can easily be turned into a useful grammar game. To play, simply split the class into two teams, then write a grid on the board. In each square, write a past tense verb (if teaching past tense, for example).

Then, have the teams take turns trying to say a correct past tense sentence. If they are able to do it, then they write an "X" or an "O" in the blank. This is an excruciatingly simple yet fun way to get students having fun while learning grammar.

The important thing to remember when teaching English to young children is to have fun. This may mean bringing in games on a regular basis, or it may simply mean having fun with the kids. If a student speaks in the past tense, act confused and try to get them to understand why their incorrect grammar led to your confusion. This works much better than lecturing and scolding, and it can produce students who view English as a constructive tool for communicating rather than simply another subject on a standardized test.

Article source: http://eslarticle.com/pub/teaching/grammar/91252-using-games-to-teach-english-grammar.html