When you teach with fun activities, your students will be more likely to pay attention.
Teaching English, whether to non-native speakers or to K-12 learners, can be tough if your students aren't fully engaged. One way to motivate them to learn is to build fun into your English lessons. From writing activities to get students over writer's block to those that allow them to create their own learning methods, fun-filled English activities are an effective way to get them learning English.
Free Writing
Use free writing to help students learn to enjoy writing. Have them write on a topic of their choice, leaving their pencils on the paper for a 10-minute writing period. Explain that it doesn't matter what they write about and that they shouldn't worry about spelling or grammar. If they don't know what to write, tell them to simply write, "I don't know what to write," until they think of something. When using the activity for the first time, or if some students are really stumped, give students a fun, imaginative prompt. In his essay "Making Children Hate Reading," John Holt praises this technique, suggesting that it makes children enjoy, rather than dread, writing. It also encourages students to come up with their own ideas, turning their thoughts into written words. According to Gene Doty, a former Missouri University of Science and Technology professor, free writing can help students improve their formal writing and become more confident as writers.
English and Art Activities
Add art to your English activities for the benefit of visual and tactile learners. Consider using the National Gallery of Art's program for middle school students that uses art and writing to encourage students to investigate their self-identities. Ask students to draw characters or authors of something you're reading. Use their drawings to discuss the important concepts of tone, style and voice.
Vocabulary Self-Collection
Use vocabulary self-collection activities to get students excited about words. Ask them to chose the vocabulary words they want to learn. Have them introduce the words to the class and ask students make a vocabulary list for the entire class. Introduce a new word or words a week. Have students discuss their words, why they chose them and how they used it outside the classroom. According to the authors of "Teaching English Language Learners," this student-centered activity is both fun and effective.
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