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English language teaching: use of toys as educational tools

Children love to play. Who can deny it? So why not use this universal feature to provide and promote English language learning as well? If you do, you can hardly go wrong. What child is going to say: “Teacher, I don’t want to play”? Sure, it’s ultimately possible, but so is a force five tornado in South America or an “Armageddon-level earthquake in Tibet.” Just don’t hold your breath while you wait.

Toys of all kinds and kinds are available all over the world. Why not take advantage of this to motivate your young students? In fact, your not-so-young students could also benefit; especially those students who are “young at heart”, for those of you who might be teaching adult learners. Let’s look at some “realia” or “toys” that are commonly available and could be used. (pun intended)

o Stuffed animals and dolls –

A perennial student favorite, even my most mature adult students give an “Awww” every time I pull out Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Tigger, rabbit, puppy, Teddy or others from my stuffed animal collection. You can simulate conversations, use them to illustrate prepositions of place and position, as turn-taking devices, or to “replace” students in a game or activity. They (stuffed animals) don’t mind being thrown either.

o Soft rubber or inflated ball –

How a classroom could function without at least one of these is beyond me. A student can “select” another in a windmill exercise, TPR, or group activity simply by tossing the ball to someone else. That way, the teacher will not “play favorites” during the activity. A ball can be used in the form of a relay to signal the next student in a sequence or game. If it’s dropped or mishandled, no problem, just bounce a few times before coming back into the game. Ready, huh?

o Automobiles, trucks and other Vehicles –

Students can “drive” to locations in a neighborhood, from one part of the room to another, or from one position on a game board to another. The small ones can serve as placeholders in a board game, while the larger ones can be used as props in dialogue, role play, and conversation. Don’t forget to use them for grammar and verb practice activities. And oh yes, both girls and boys love them too. Adults? Well, I have to watch my vehicle accessories carefully or the adult students will “steal” them!

or board games –

You really only need a small selection of board games if you have an ounce of imagination. Two or three will work fine. Some of the all time favorites are some like “Scrabble”, “Monopoly”, “Checkers” and “Chess”, which use the same board of alternating colored squares. Use the boards to “create” your own games too. Don’t forget a deck or two of cards either. No, not for poker, but for simpler and faster games like “War”, “Fish” or “21” (numbers, not Blackjack!)

Keep in mind:

I am not a fan of using guns or simulated firearms of any kind in the classroom, not even water guns. No batting, hitting, or realia-promoting aggressive behaviors of any kind normally enter my learning environments. It’s true that you can get aggressive with some of the toys I’ve mentioned, but it’s easy to squash or put them down without too much trouble. I only explain to the students what is allowed and what is not. This, of course, is by no means an exhaustive list. I’m sure you’ll find many of your own favorites available locally to use in your classroom. In fact, if you have any unusual or unique realia that you wear, I’d love to hear about it.

Write me at: [email protected].

And good luck.

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