"Find my Bestie" Game to Play with MLs
Creating Connection and Building Vocabulary
What is happening? Is it summer where you are? If you are still in school or doing summer school, it might be time to break out some games. Games are a way to build language while having fun and incorporating movement.
Here’s a fun game with tips to ensure MLs’ comprehension.
“Find My Bestie”
Materials Needed: Paper and pens. Possibly a board to write on.
Set Up: Give each student a piece of paper and ask them to list things they have done or like. Allow them to use dictionaries, Google Translate, or ask their friends how to write down their ideas in English. Encourage them to write at least 10 items.
Ideas could be:
eating chocolate ice-cream
playing soccer
riding bikes
listening to rap music
Play:
Choose one student to start. Tell them to bring the list they wrote.
Have them say: “I am looking for a new bestie and they are in this room! Everybody stand up.” (It helps to have this phrase written on the board or a poster).
The student will start by reading or saying the first idea on the list they prepared. As they say each idea, you can write them one by one on the board so MLs have a visual. Stop briefly to make sure the students know what it means.
As each item is shared, the students who haven’t done the thing or don’t agree with it, sit down.
For example, the student might say:
"My new bestie loves to dance to hip hop."
Everyone sits except those who like to dance to hip hop.
Then, they say the next idea.
"My new bestie likes to dance to hip hop and has been to Mexico."
So only those who like to dance to hip hop and have been to Mexico remain standing. And so on.
I love this game as a way for students to break the ice and get to know each other. Students also bring their life experiences to the class.
Have you played this before?
How did it go?
Any variations?
Press “like” below if this idea was helpful.
