JAPANESE IS TABOO. Games and Activities to Energise the Language Classroom for Junior High School
JAPANESE IS TABOO
Energising Language Classroom Activities for Junior High School: A Teacher’s Guide
Junior high school students often find language classes challenging, but as a language teacher, you have the power to transform these challenges into engaging learning experiences. Classroom activities are the key to achieving this transformation. These activities not only make learning enjoyable but also foster a deeper understanding of the language, leading to improved fluency and proficiency. In this blog post, we will explore a diverse range of innovative and interactive language classroom activities designed specifically for junior high school students. Whether you’re looking to enhance vocabulary retention, boost conversational skills, or make grammar lessons more enjoyable, this guide will provide you with a rich array of strategies to create a dynamic and effective learning environment for your students. Let’s embark on this journey to energize your language classroom and inspire your students to become passionate language learners.
JAPANESE IS TABOO
Target Group: 3rd year
Difficulty Level: Basic Conversation
Activity Objective: To practice utilizing basic words and phrases in order to convey ideas and thoughts in English
JAPANESE IS TABOO – Procedure
The students are divided into groups of 4-6 members. Each group is given a deck cards. Each card has one vocabulary word, of which the students are already familiar with. One student picks the top card and, without showing the other students, must describe the vocabulary word without using
the word itself, or any descriptive gestures or noises. The other students in the group must guess what the word on the card is. The students take turns reading the vocabulary word card and attempting to describe the vocabulary word using different English words and phrases.
Materials and Preparation
The materials for this activity are basic. The teacher must prepare six decks of 40 cards. Use a cardboard or laminating the cards so as to increase durability. Each card must have one vocabulary word printed or written on it, which the students are already familiar with.
For example, a vocabulary word from the textbook or from a previous lesson would be appropriate. Those cards are then distributed to each group of students, and as described above, the students take turns reading the top card and describing the word using any words and phrases other than the actual vocabulary word itself. As the students do this, the other members in the group guess the vocabulary word card. Once a student guesses correctly, the next student chooses the next card. Japanese speaking is strictly taboo. (Or your students’ first languages)
Suggestions and Advice
I highly recommend that you, as the teacher, demonstrate the game a few times before the students attempt to play. I also recommend writing some key phrases on the blackboard, such as, “This is a…” “This is similar to…,” as well as some descriptor words such as, “Close,” and “Different.”
While the game is being played, the students react positively when you offer support when needed and participate when not needed. If the students need an added element of motivation, they can keep score either as individuals or as teams (groups). This makes the game more competitive and instills a potentially increased effort.
Energising Language Classroom Activities for Junior High School
In the world of language teaching, fostering a love for learning and effective communication is our ultimate goal. By implementing these engaging classroom activities for junior high school students, you are not only enhancing their language skills but also creating an environment where curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm thrive. As we wrap up our exploration of these energizing language activities, remember that your role as a teacher is invaluable, and your dedication to making language learning exciting and impactful is what sets the stage for your students’ future success.
So, continue to innovate, adapt, and personalize these activities to suit the unique needs and interests of your students. Watch as their confidence soars, their vocabulary expands, and their ability to communicate fluently grows. With your guidance and these engaging activities in your teaching toolbox, you are well on your way to inspiring a new generation of confident and capable language learners. The journey to language proficiency may be challenging, but with your passion and these activities, it is always an exciting one.
Happy teaching!
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