ideas for games

I love using new games in my classes, and my students occasionally now make suggestions. I have adapted tv shows for the classroom (I am not as organised as some, so don't use the Millionaire powerpoints etc - my versions tend to be more adapted and changed.) Another great source of ideas is games used in other settings - not just board games, but ice-breakers and so on that we tend to run into from time to time. The Peer Support Program makes use of a wide variety of games, some of which can be adapted for use in the MFL classroom. Here is a somewhat random list of games that I have used with my students.


Jeopardy the classic tv game show where students are given the answers and need to provide the questions - I find students don't get enough opportunities to practice asking questions in the target language. (There is a template here though if you want to be snazzy and have the full set-up UPDATE: Or an even better version here)

Millionaire and Millionaire Hotseat: best as a team game or with a small group. am still tweaking the format of these for maximum participation from all students.

Go go stop (a children's tv quiz show - requires some preparation to make a "game board" on which the students step. I used laminated cards with one of the following printed onto the bottom / hidden side - in the TL: question, instruction, one step, two steps, sit down. The aim for each student is to get to the other side and sit down. If they land on a question card, they need to answer the question. If they land on an instruction card, they need to follow the instruction (given in the TL). The other cards are "free passes" - so there are very few "sit down" cards!)

will add others later!