Bingo
Bingo is probably one of the most popular games used in language classrooms. It can be customized easily to serve different purposes. The original number bingo game can be used to practice listening to numbers. Bingo cards can also be made with a target sound (e.g., onset, final, vowels), and the game will become a phonics activity. Bingo provides learners with opportunities to practice reading print; it also helps learners associate sounds of the language with print.
Instead of words, bingo cards can contain pictures. This can be useful when learners learn new vocabulary items. They can then focus on the pronunciation and do not have to worry about the printed form at the same time.
Apart from listening and reading, Bingo can also help learners practice speaking. When an item is called, learners usually repeat the word quietly, looking for the item on their card.
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| Phonics bingo cards (from https://myfreebingocards.com/school/reading/-ay-words) |
Instead of words, bingo cards can contain pictures. This can be useful when learners learn new vocabulary items. They can then focus on the pronunciation and do not have to worry about the printed form at the same time.
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| A bingo card created on Bingo Baker |
Apart from listening and reading, Bingo can also help learners practice speaking. When an item is called, learners usually repeat the word quietly, looking for the item on their card.
Materials needed:
- Blank or ready-to-use bingo cards (see below for free online resources)
- Markers (such as chips, beans, or stones) for each player
Procedure:
- Distribute bingo cards and markers.
- Allow learners to read the words/pictures on their card to be familiar with it.
- Call the game: read words, or show pictures or objects. Learners will listen and mark up their cards.
- The first student who gets all markers in a row shouts out "Bingo!" Have the student read out all the words in the winning row. S/he will become the next caller.
Free bingo cards or bingo card generators:
- Bingo Baker:
-- Ready-made or custom cards (words or images)
https://bingobaker.com/ - My Free Bingo Cards:
-- Ready-made or custom cards
https://myfreebingocards.com/bingo-card-generator - Sight Words Bingo:
https://sightwords.com/sight-words/games/bingo/
References:
- ruthwickham. (n.d.). 13 ESL Speaking Activities to Give Adult Students. Retrieved from https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator-english/esl-speaking-activities-for-adults/
- Sight Words: Teach Your Child to Read. (n.d.). Sight Words Bingo. Retrieved from https://sightwords.com/sight-words/games/bingo/
- New American Horizons. (n.d.). Growing Vocabulary with Beginning Learners. Retrieved from https://www.newamericanhorizons.org/training-videos