Fun Games

FUN GAMES

Rudiana, S.Pd.

Graduate of STKIP Hamzanwadi Selong
Teacher, Paracendekia NW (Bilingual) Kindergarten of Sumbawa

A game or play is one essential element of language teaching activity. I can say every student from elementary school up to the senior high school and the university level like to play games while studying in the classroom. A game can pace learners easily to the next lesson, because playing a game as a first step in a meeting can make the students enjoy themselves before entering the main activity. Through a game, learners will get the spirit for receiving the next materials. Students who enjoy their lessons will be motivated to come to school.

One way to make learners keep on learning at school is a game, because learners are always interested in playing while studying. Thus, a class really needs an attractive game and this can only be developed by a creative educator. An educator has to identify their learner needs in the classroom. For example, before applying a game, the teacher first has to watch which game is appropriate for the learners.

There are many available games that can be applied in the classroom. Otherwise, a new game should be created, one that the teacher has to adjust with the classroom situation. To maintain the learners’ interest and motivation, a variety of games should be developed. In this case, games may include miming, guessing, and competition. Through a game the learners will perform themselves enthusiastically and charmingly. We will not see their shy and pale face in front of their teacher. As educators we do not have the authority to force learners in learning a new language, but with good strategies and activities that we create, they will not only join us, but also involve themselves wholeheartedly.

There are two suggestions I would like to make for teachers to apply a fun game in the classroom. First, watch out the materials for the game. Make sure they are attractive and fun games in ways that your learners are not going to be easily get bored. The materials have to be appropriate in that they can be mastered easily by the learners and are easily found around or in their daily life and environment. In other words, the game played constitutes the materials delivered to the learners. Second, continue to build classroom dynamics that reduces students’ negative feeling about English. It is the feeling that English is not a difficult subject when it is learnt at school. Learners should develop their success blocks gradually. They will be proud of themselves because they effectively master English in conjunction with their manageable efforts. Thus, learning by playing is an excellent way for inviting learners to be self confident in their endeavour of learning as they do not feel any differences among them, who always move around.