How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons

Theme: “How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons?” 
Lê Đình Xô_The English Teacher of Le Viet Tao High School 
Page1 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the leaders of 
Thanh Hoa Education and Training Department for organizing this seminar and for 
giving me the precious chance to do it. 
 Secondly, I am very grateful to all the teachers of English at Le Viet Tao 
Upper Secondary School for offering me useful advice in flashing my ideas. 
 Last but not least, I would like to thank you very much for your presence and 
observation. Your comments and advice would be highly appreciated all in all. 
Thank you very much! 
Theme: “How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons?” 
Lê Đình Xô_The English Teacher of Le Viet Tao High School 
Page2 
1. PREFACE 
1.1. REASONS FOR CHOOSING THE THEME 
It’s common knowledge that the more developed the society becomes, the 
stronger demands to widen international relations there are; therefore, it is 
indispensable for us to learn one foreign language. For this reason, English has 
been regarded as a main subject at schools. So, to make learning environment 
interesting plays an important role in teaching and studying. How can an English 
teacher give students new and interesting lessons which motivate students? Each 
lesson not only engraves on students’ memory but also helps them remember 
forever and have a deep impression on colours, images, and sounds, which makes 
students remember the lesson more easily. There are many methods to present this 
idea but the most impressive one is designing Games in lessons, which teachers 
have been using skillfully for ages. 
However, to meet the factual demand, teachers must turn a lesson in 
traditional teaching methods into a lesson in modern ones which are applied with 
information technology. This makes a lot of teachers worried and confused. In fact, 
most of the teachers have only been able to make their own lessons on the 
Microsoft PowerPoint simply or basically but not skillfully since the campaign of the 
Minister of the Education and Training for applying information technology to 
making lesson plans. Therefore, many teachers have a lot of difficulties because 
they either design simple lessons which now hide, now appear instead of the 
blackboard or they plan lessons with exciting sounds of music or clips of video or 
activities of games on the Microsoft PowerPoint which attract, interest and motivate 
students, which many teachers have been studying; and especially, English teachers 
have difficulties in using advanced effects on the Microsoft PowerPoint, such as 
techniques of using Trigger or programming objects 
As a teacher of English, throughout years’ time of teaching English in the 
period of general education renovation, I myself have met a lot of difficulties in 
applying information technology to the interactive lessons, especially making 
games. However, I have ceaselessly been studying by myself, learning passionately 
from other colleagues, books, Internet to raise my standard. As a result, I have 
become skillful to have interesting lessons with such beautiful and professional 
games that my students and colleagues have appreciated highly so far. And, I 
would like to share my experiences in designing lessons on the Microsoft 
PowerPoint, especially difficulties in making games to teach English effectively. 
 It is the reasons above that have been urging me to choose the theme: “How 
to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games 
to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons?” for my own Seminar on 
methodology without cease. This methodology seminar, which is related to 
applying the Games: “Lucky numbers” and “Noughts and Crosses” to basic 
English textbook interactively, mentions the contents, the ways to design and to 
carry out the games, especially, games designed on the MS PowerPoint and some 
examples applied to 10 Grade English lessons. . 
Theme: “How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons?” 
Lê Đình Xô_The English Teacher of Le Viet Tao High School 
Page3 
1.2. AIMS OF RESEARCH 
From the matter of fact, as a teacher, I have endlessly been considering and 
researching for the methods to improve the quality of teaching English. Knowing 
that the students’ psychophysiology is doing what they enjoy, liking new things, 
indulging in pleasures rather than study, I give them a new method of learning in 
which they can work for both study and pleasure. This method gives them the 
feeling of delight and easiness when they learn English lessons through some new 
language Games, exactly “Lucky numbers” and “Noughts and Crosses” on the MS 
Power Point 2003, which are considered to be the new teaching techniques in place 
of the old ones (students played games on black board) that students are too 
familiar to and bored with. These new language Games, in fact, are competitions. 
They require students’ quick decisions such as: How to act? What to speak? How 
to win the games? To solve those questions makes students’ thoughts quicker, 
more sensitive and intelligent because they must make use of their intellectual 
abilities for pleasure and excitement. Thanks to this way, students are naturally 
absorbed in the lessons. Games are highly motivating because they are amusing 
and interesting. They can be used to give practice in all language skills and be used 
to practice many types of communication. They can willingly apply the knowledge 
the teacher expects, which has worried them for ages. 
Throughout years’ time of teaching English for different students, especially 
students of the Old Semi-state school where there are much more weak students 
than advanced ones, I would like to present “How to use Triggers on the MS 
PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 
10 English lessons?”. Also, I would like to exchange my own initiative 
experiences and methods of teaching with the colleagues so that we can find out 
new and interesting methods in the period of education socialization our Party and 
State laid down. 
1.3. OBJECTS OF RESEARCH 
- Teachers at between junior and senior high schools 
- Undergraduates and advanced students. 
- Period of teaching English in Grade 10 at high schools 
- Strategies applied to teach English to Grade 10 students in mixed-ability classes 
1.4. METHODS OF RESEARCH 
- Using the text-book to apply to each lesson and section. 
- Using references to prove. 
- Pictures and other materials. 
- Investigating, surveying situations. 
2. CONTENTS 
2.1. Basis of theory: 
 It’s the common knowledge that the more developed the society becomes, 
the stronger demands to widen international relations there are; therefore, it is 
indispensable for us to learn one foreign language. For this reason, English has 
been regarded as a main and compulsory subject at schools since 2009 and it has 
greatly direct influences on students’ results of General Certificate of Secondary 
Theme: “How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons?” 
Lê Đình Xô_The English Teacher of Le Viet Tao High School 
Page4 
Education, Entrance exams and future jobs. Learning English well at school will 
help students to get further success in their own career afterwards as well as to 
contribute to the industrialization and modernization of our country. Therefore, it is 
essential for a teacher to have his own strategies, techniques, enthusiasm and 
passion so as to find the best teaching methods in improving students’ study. 
However, it is not easy for an English teacher to choose what strategies and 
techniques to teach English for his multi-level class where there are both advanced 
and hardworking students and weak and lazy ones. As we know, English is too 
difficult for most students to learn, especially, weak rural students find it more 
difficult. Nevertheless, teachers should make full use of information technology to 
make lessons easier. We have carried out the 29
th 
instruction on “Applying and 
developing information technology in education and training will basically change the 
renovation of the contents, curriculums, methods in teaching, learning and 
administrating education”. Especially, in the school year 2008-2009, we performed 
the 55
th 
instruction 2008/CT-BGDDT on 30
th 
September, 2008 on reinforcing 
teaching, training and applying information technology in education branch 
between 2008 and 2012 with the topic: “Strongly apply information technology, 
renew financial management and establish friendly schools, active students”. 
2.2. Basis of practice 
2.2.1. Achievements 
Thanh Hoa Education and Training Department has focused on teaching and 
learning English for recent years. We have organized many English advanced 
exams for teachers and students. Annually, we have a lot of conferences and 
workshops to reform teaching methods. We have been trying to apply new methods 
to teaching flexibly and skillfully. In the last few years, we have carried out 
reduced curriculum of Ministry of Education and Training. Students are more hard-
working, interested in English. Therefore, teaching and learning English has been 
enhanced effectively. 
2.2.2. Some reasons for the disadvantages of teaching and learning English at 
high schools 
English is one of the most important subjects at schools but it is not easy 
enough for any students to learn. Some students, especially the students who have 
no sense, no mood and no patience in learning can’t keep up with the new methods 
of learning. Many students haven’t understood the significances of English at the 
age of the International integration. Some students learn English for their curiosity 
but when they have difficulties, they let things run. Others lack their basic 
knowledge from the junior high schools. Therefore, students have no sense, no 
mood, no motivation to learn English effectively and actively. 
2.2.3. For teachers 
Being a teacher of the foreign language, realizing a new method of teaching 
is a big problem. Personally, I see that many teachers haven’t given students any 
chances to practice vocabulary, grammar.., if there, they just check one or two 
students before the lesson mechanically, which makes students bored and passive. 
Most teachers have a sense of the importance and benefit of applying 
information technology to design plans as well as inserting games into English 
lessons, which need a lot of pictures, sounds and video clips to illustrate the 
Theme: “How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons?” 
Lê Đình Xô_The English Teacher of Le Viet Tao High School 
Page5 
language used. However, many teachers have hesitated to use their power point 
lesson plans so far because they think it takes them a lot of time to prepare. Some 
teachers prepare their lessons well but there are no projectors to show. Others are 
afraid that students are absorbed in playing games without taking notes so they 
don’t get any knowledge and make noise. This prevents teachers from designing 
games for English lessons on Power Point. In addition, some teachers know little 
about information technology and Internet. Besides, most important, teachers agree 
they usually meet difficulties in designing interactive games. They don’t know how 
to do and who to ask. 
2.2.4. For students 
Since education reform, students have loved learning English but mainly 
advanced students. And weak students who slowly understand the lesson learn 
passively. They wait for the teacher’s or other students’ answers. Many of them 
have no opportunities or they don’t dare to practice speaking English in class. They 
are afraid they speak incorrectly. Many can not read, speak, listen and write; even 
they ignore paying attention to the lessons, taking any notes or doing any 
homework. In fact, we can see these students have no love for EnglishTherefore, 
the teaching qualities of English do not live up to our expectations. Following is 
the survey on the quality of English among 4 classes: 10A, 10C,10D and 10E at the 
beginning of the first term in school year 2018-2019. 
 (* Note: Q : Quantity ) 
As can be seen from the tables of the statistics above, the rates of the 
students who didn’t master the knowledge and those who applied all the skills 
weakly are rather high. It has shown that students didn’t master the methods of 
learning English and they weren’t hard-working, active and creative in applying the 
Classes 
Number 
of 
students 
Listening Reading 
Well 
mastered 
and 
Applied 
Badly 
mastered 
and 
applied 
Well 
mastered 
and 
Applied 
Badly 
mastered 
and 
applied 
Q % Q % Q % Q % 
10A 43 11 25.5 32 74.5 13 30.2 30 69.8 
10C 45 11 24.4 34 75.6 13 28.8 32 71.2 
10D 41 12 29.2 29 70.8 14 34.1 27 65.9 
10E 41 13 31.7 28 68.3 15 36.5 26 63.5 
Total 170 47 27.6 123 72.4 55 32.3 115 67.7 
classes 
Number 
of 
students 
Speaking Language focus Writing 
Well 
mastered 
and 
Applied 
Badly 
mastered 
and 
applied 
Well 
mastered 
and 
applied 
Badly 
mastered 
and 
applied 
Well 
mastered 
and 
applied 
Badly 
mastered 
and 
applied 
Q % Q % Q % Q % Q % Q % 
10A 43 10 23.2 33 76.8 14 32.5 29 67.5 12 28.0 31 72.0 
10C 45 11 24.4 34 75.6 15 33.3 30 66.7 11 24.4 34 75.6 
10D 41 12 29.2 29 70.8 13 31.7 28 68.3 12 29.2 29 70.8 
10E 41 12 29.2 29 70.8 15 36.5 26 63.5 12 29.2 29 70.8 
Total 170 45 26.4 125 73.6 57 33.5 113 66.5 47 27.6 123 72.4 
Theme: “How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons?” 
Lê Đình Xô_The English Teacher of Le Viet Tao High School 
Page6 
knowledge the teacher guided them to communicate. These data have proved that 
the number of students in a class is not equivalent and has dissimilar levels. 
2.3. Strategies applied to solve the situation 
2.3.1. What is a language Game? 
"A language game is an activity with rules, a goal and an element of fun. 
There are two kinds of games: Competitive games, in which players or teams race 
to be the first to reach the goal, and co-operative games, in which players or teams 
work together towards a common goal. The emphasis in the games is on successful 
communication rather than on correctness of language." (Toth, 1995) 
2.3.2. Some notes for Games organization 
When organizing Games, teachers should pay attention to the following problems: 
 Classroom noise: There are 40 – 45 students in each class so when teachers 
organize games unskillfully and students compete with each other, they will make 
a lot of noise and disturb other classes, and students’ answers are unclear. 
Therefore, teachers should control the class well to avoid chaos. 
 Some students’ inactiveness: Due to group activities, lazy and weak students do 
not want to take part in the games. So, teachers should go around, observe and 
encourage them to work. 
 Time waste: In some cases, students can’t give the answers, teachers should 
help students or correct the questions professionally. If the time for the games is 
too long, it will delay other activities. 
2.3.3. Salient features of Games designing on MS Power Point with Triggers 
In the restriction of the theme, I would like not to discuss the uses of the 
games in English lessons any more but I am eager to express my experiences of 
how to design some popular games on MS Power Point to teach English at high 
schools. First, in comparison with the effects of other soft wares, Power Point has 
outstanding with its form and technology application to make lesson plans. Second, 
when designing games on Power Point, most of us use techniques of “Trigger” and 
“Visual basic” supported by Power Point. Therefore, only MS Office in our 
computer is alright. Third, newness “interaction depending on the objects” is one of 
the effects on Power Point. This is not a new issue but it is new and strange for 
teaching. Fourth, the experience I would like to share is the topic many teachers 
who is unskilled can consider and use it to motivate students to learn English more 
effectively, especially weak students. Following is two popular games I am looking 
forward to presenting. They were carried on successfully and effectively in Grade 
10 English lessons. 
2.3.4. How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing “Lucky 
numbers” Game in details? 
 LUCKY NUMBERS 
2.3.4.1- Ways of conducting the game 
2.3.4.1a. Name of the game: “Lucky numbers” 
 (Teachers can conduct similarly for other names, such as “Lucky stars”, 
“Lucky flowers”, “Lucky pictures”, “Lucky animals”, “Lucky singers”....) 
Theme: “How to use Triggers on the MS PowerPoint 2003 in designing some interactive Games to teach effectively Grade 10 English lessons?” 
Lê Đình Xô_The English Teacher of Le Viet Tao High School 
Page7 
2.3.4.1b. Contents of the game 
 All tasks in the text book as WH questions, sentence making.... 
2.3.4.1c. Ways of organizing groups 
 Teachers can divide the class into 2, 3, 4 groups (it depends on the number of 
students). Each group appoints a leader who can choose the numbers (stars, 
pictures...) and ask other students to discuss and give the answers. 
2.3.4.1d. Rules of the game 
 Teachers can give more 2 or 3 lucky numbers (stars, pictures...). Each group 
can choose one time in turns, time allowance can be 10 or 20 seconds. If the time is 
over, this group can’t have the answers, or give incorrect answers, the other can 
answer the question. They choose the numbers (stars, pictures...) in turns. Each 
correct answer is one point. If the group opens the lucky numbers (stars, 
pictures...), they have one point without having to answer the question. 
2.3.4.1e. Ending of the game 
 When they finish answering the question, the group having the most (more) 
points without making mistakes will win the game. 
2.3.4.1f. Steps of design the game 
2.3.4.1f.1. Designing common “Lucky numbers”(“Lucky stars”) game 
 The teacher writes numbers, colours and “lucky numbers” (lucky 
colours) on the extra-board or pieces of papers and asks the leaders of the groups 
to choose them. Groups must do the requests as prepared on each numbers, colours 
they get to have scores. If they choose the “Lucky numbers” (“colours”), they 
will still have scores without doing the requirements 
2.3.4.1f.2. Designing “Lucky numbers”(“Lucky stars”, “Lucky pictures”) 
game on the MS Power Point 2003. 
Teachers should carry out the game “Lucky numbers” on the following steps: 
 (Picture 1) 
First, notice that whatever forms we design, we should programme skillfully 
so that students choose any boxes, they will disappear or have a symbol after 
chosen, which lets students know that box has been chosen in order to avoid 
mistakes and arguments. In fact, this happened to some teachers who are unfamiliar 
with Triggers. Therefore, to do as the Picture 1, I carry out designing as follows: 
For example, in the Picture 1, I have 3 questions and 5 numbers (2 lucky numbers). 
The game can be designed on the same slide or slides hyperlinked (I use 
hyperlinked slides. This means 3 slides contain 3 questions and answers, 2 slides 
are lucky numbers and 1 slide is the master slide. When students choose the 
Theme: “How to use Tri