We often tell our children to “just have fun” before sending them off to school. Teachers love the expression “learning is fun”. Many people say that if you enjoy your job, it isn’t really working. I understand these ideas and make them a part of my lifestyle, and thus a part of my teaching style.
At my English conversation school in Otsu, Shiga, I often encourage students to do homework, to read English books or magazines, to write, to watch movies, and so on. Everything you do in your target language will help to improve your overall understanding of the language.
I have enjoyed success, my students have improved, but still the key purpose of coming to an English conversation is still missing. Students want to talk! Recently I have started playing more and more games with students. With young students we play snakes and ladders or card games. With older students we play word association games or boggle. This has created an atmosphere of fun at our school. Students and teachers are enjoying playing together. The best part however, is that we are chatting throughout the game time. Obviously students are also improving game specific vocabulary. Far more importantly we are having casual conversations while playing. One of my students even enjoys playing Scrabble and regularly beats native English speakers. Study hard, play games, have fun, improve!
Edward, Smith’s School of English Otsu
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