On the 12th and 13th November I held a Joyful English session with a super funny and interesting German teacher, practising English grammar in a fun way.
The two days focused on practising past and future verb tenses. We spent little time on explanations, focusing instead on practical use, especially oral practice, and the use of games to encourage learning.
The use of games in grammar learning increases learners motivation and engagement, as they feel less pressure. Games create a relaxed environment, where anxiety is reduced and students are not afraid of making mistakes. Using grammar in a real context, rather than simply filling in the blanks, promotes understanding and a deeper assimilation of the rules.
In addition, cross-curricular skills such as critical thinking and problem solving were encouraged. During the session, we played crossword puzzles, sea battle grammar, board games and online games and we used speaking cards to foster spontaneous communication. The games we played were very fun and engaging, and the teacher opened up a lot, telling several personal stories and sharing her ideas on the various topics we covered.
I love this way of teaching language, especially when the results are tangible! Learners feel more confident and demonstrate that they can use the proposed grammatical structures in authentic contexts.
Author: Vania Mazzei (JUMP trainer)
