Game time!

Game time!

Do you play games in your language lessons?
By you, I mean you, yes, the adult reading my post, and you, the language teacher teaching adults.
Do you like it?
I confess I used to dread games, as a student. It too often felt like an afterthought, an activity to fill a gap at the end of a lesson.
That’s why I am particularly mindful when I use games in a lesson: they must be an integral part of the learning experience, be adapted to the student’s level and context, not overly complex, and of course, fun.
I routinely use StoryCubes and Picture This!, among other less commercial options, so when a colleague teaching French to young children mentioned some new games he uses, I had to check them out, to see if I could use them for my adult students.
It turns out I can. I spent a couple of days learning their rules, playing the games as if being in a classroom, and then subverting the rules to fit different objectives and students’ levels. When I felt confident it would be simultaneously useful to learn French and fun for everyone, it was game time for real.
I already played 2 of them in my classes this week, and I’m happy to report it was a success, the students loved it and asked for more. And you know the best part? Even I had fun.

Do you have games you usually play?
Would you happen to have some recommendations for me?