ESL Bingo!

<h1>ESL Bingo!</h1>

by George Stocker

<div align=justify>ABSTRACT/SUMMARY 
Using Bingo for English as a second language instruction. Discusses issues problems, and examples. Includes step-by-step advice for teachers. 
 
ESL Bingo! 
 
 One of our customers recently wrote to me with some 
feedback on our bingo games. I thought her comments were so 
typical and highlighted some misunderstandings and problems 
with ESL bingo. 
 
Her comments were -- 
 
 It took a long time for my students to learn how the 
game is played but once they did they had a lot of fun. 
 
This is a very typical comment and illustrates a 
ms-conception. If native speakers were to play the same 
bingo game, it would be simple because we understand the 
vocabulary and the rules. And if we had questions about the 
rules, we could easily consult the rules and clarify our 
concerns. 
 
However, for a native speaker, the situation is very 
different. They don't understand the vocabulary, not the 
rules, where are in a foreign language. So, it is going to 
take some time to set up, and probably the first game will 
be difficult, but after that, our experience is students 
can't get enough! 
 
Here are some pointers and suggestions for playing bingo: 
 
 * Prepare before you start. Before class, review the 
vocabulary and make a note of any difficult words. Before 
actually playing the game, introduce the words. This can be 
made into a game as well. Instead of simply telling students 
the definitions, say something like, "If you are going to 
win, you will need to know these words. Here are some clues 
for winning." or "I'm going to tell you 3 clues, are you 
listening?" 
 
 * The first game MAY be difficult, but preparation will 
help. With proper preparation, you will see a huge change on 
the second or third game. They are so eager to win they will 
learn the rest of the vocabulary themselves. 
 
 * Students love to help each other, and love to be the 
one that 'knows.' Use this to your advantage by allowing 
students to work together for the first game. Depending on 
the group, you may want to allow some helping and working 
together on the second game as well. After that, students 
should have a grasp of the game and some of the vocabulary 
to play without sharing or helping. 
 
We have found Bingo to be an excellent supplemental activity 
for ESL students. If played at the end of the class, 
students leave their English class feeling positive and look 
forward to coming back. 
_____________________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
George and Daisy Stocker have traveled the world teaching 
ESL to children and adults. Their website, http://www.efl-esl.com 
offers ESL curriculum, activities, an online forum for ESL teachers 
and students, plus a free ESL teachers newsletter! Their second 
website http://www.esl-storybooks.com offers curriculum and 
storybooks for children. 
 
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Article source: <a href="http://www.ArticlePros.com/education/public-schools/article-15893.html">ArticlePros.com</a>
 
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	<td>
		About the author
		George and Daisy Stocker have traveled the world teaching 
ESL to children and adults. Their website, <A HREF="http://www.efl-esl.com">ESL Activities</a> 
offers ESL curriculum, activities, an online forum for ESL teachers 
and students, plus a free ESL teachers newsletter! Their second 
website <a href="http://www.esl-storybooks.com">ESL for Kids</a> offers curriculum and 
storybooks for children. 
		<a href="www.efl-esl.com" target="_blank" title="will open in new window" class=blue>www.efl-esl.com</a>				<input type=button class=asubm value="Other articles by George Stocker" onclick="document.location='http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?George Stocker'" style="height:20px;cursor:hand">
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