Using games to warm-Up a new lesson effectively in English 11 at Quang Xuong 1 High school

PART A: INTRODUCTION
I. Reasons for choosing the topic:
	In the trend of development and integration, mastering English to communicate with other countries in the world is a very necessary thing not only in Vietnam but also around the world. This requires teaching and learning English to be focusing on communication skills. Before such practical needs, Ministry of Education and Training has been demanding the renewal of teaching methods in English under the direction of communication in schools. However, for high school students, especially in rural areas, the study by the method of innovation meets many difficulties. Why so? We all know although English is a core subject, few students are interesred in it. Morever, English is a diffcult subject. To be good at English, the most important factor is the training environment, while rural students are rarely communicated in foreign language environment.
	To help high school students , especially in rural areas , to learn English well and complete skill in learning English, what do we have to do? Personally, I think , first of all we have to create excitement of the children in learning English at the beginning lessons . And from there, I believe that “ warm-up” is always the most important activity. This however is only a small part and it accounted for little time of the length of a unit but it has a great effect on creating interest in learning for students . That’s why I choose the topic: “using games to warm-up a new lesson effectively in English 11 at Quang Xuong 1 High school.” 
II . Aims of the study:
	Research for using games on startups for some lessons of English textbooks 11 .
III. Scope of the study:
	Organizing games on startups for some lessons of English textbooks 11 .
IV. Method of the study:
During the initiative experience , I have used several research methods: 
	• Observation method
	• Experimental method : through direct application to the launch game for some specific lessons of English textbooks 11 .
	• Methods of analysis , evaluation , synthesis
	• Method of collecting student opinions , colleagues .......
PART B: CONTENTS
I. Theoretical background:
	As we know, learning English is a trend of the era of technology development at present. English is a foreign language, not the mother tongue. The teaching of English has been a difficult task; acquiring and using English of students in real life is a more difficult task. Students need to comprehend, absorb and apply listening - speaking - reading - writing skills very well through purposeful communication activities. Therefore, teachers must have the specialized skills and methods to impart knowledge to students. The first thing teachers have to do is to give students the excitement, desire to learn; and to create curiosity about what they are going to learn. Creating situations, putting students toward topics, the content of the lesson is both an art of the teacher. Stemming from this issue, I think that the organization of the game in each lesson, especially in the "warm up", has contributed significantly in creating the focus, tracking of students into the presented issues; improving comfort, reducing the stress of students. Since then , students are interested in learning English and studying English effectively. The game has diverse forms and depends on the content of lessons. Moreover it is also very active in new teaching methods of English. Therefore , every teacher needs to study in order to apply games in each unit to generate excitement for students , reduce stress in English class. To accomplish this thing, every teacher needs to understand that the role of the game in the " warm up" is to: 
+ Support effectively in generating excitement, interest for students; reduce stress in English class.
+ Help create the brainstorming , the excitement , the attention of students to the lesson topic.
+ Create a favorable environment for new lessons : psychological preparation , knowledge for new lessons .
+ Bring out the available and necessary knowledge of the students relating to new lessons.
+ Help link between learned things with the new lesson .
+ Support for the new word review, setting sentences .
+ Support listening and speaking skills of the students .
+ Make suggestions through asking and answering between teachers and students towards the topic of the lesson .
II. Factual situation of teaching and learning English at my school( Quang Xuong 1 High School):
1. Factual situation:
Our school is located in the suburb. Living conditions of my school students are different from the ones for the students in the city. They are rarely communicated in foreign language environment. They do not have good opportunity to exchange a foreign language. The number of students in a language class is crowded. This makes it difficult to study in groups in class and practise English for students. Besides, the customs and traditions of the countryside makes them become unconfident, even reluctant when speaking English in front of people. On the other hand, rural students are now concentrating in studying natural block. The study focusing block D is rare. Foreign language is a compulsory subject, but they feel no interest in this subject. They think that it is difficult. They have not the foreign language environment to communicate everyday, so they quickly forgot it. Because of this reality, English class becomes boring. There are many bad students in English. Only some students speak English fluently and write in English well. To encourage and stimulate students' interest in English, I think each teacher should study and apply the appropriate games with lesson content, which helps students to focus on lesson content and desire to learn English. In the teaching process , I saw this situation and these difficulties, I boldly launched a number of measures to try to solve these difficulties by the new teaching methodology ,that is using games to warm up some lessons of English textbooks 11.
2. Results of this factual situation:
	In reality, when not applying games for some lessons of 11 English textbook, the result of some students feeling the excitement in the English class follows :
Class
Total
Some students feel the excitement in the English class
Some students feel not interested in learning English
Number
Proportion
Number
Proportion
11C4
40
11
27.5%
29
72.5%
11C5
47
15
31.9%
32
68.1%
III . Implementing measures:
	The games in the English language for the part “ warm-up” are very diverse. Depending on the purpose , characteristics of class , lesson content and the students, I can choose the appropriate game. Here are some games that I have applied in the part "warm-up " during the last school year in English 11 and I see that they help my teaching lesson be more exciting, more interesting.
1. Guessing game
* Rule:
- The teacher gives some suggestions.
- Students guess what it is by asking questions " yes / no " until the students guessed correctly .
 * Aim : To help create the excitement , the attention of the students to the topic ; arouse the available knowledge of the students related to new lessons.
* Example 1: 
 Period 9- Unit 2: PERSONAL EXPERIENCES- Part C: Listening
- Divide the class into 2 groups A and B and ask students to guess what is it?
- A few suggestions :
+ It destroys buildings, houses and forests.
+ It can kill people.
+ It gives out a lot of smoke.
+ You need water to put it out.
- The group giving the correct answer first wins.
- Expected answers: A fire.
- Lead into the new lesson: You will hear the interview about the most unforgettable experience of Christina.
* Example 2: 
 Period 13- Unit 3: A PARTY- Part A: Reading
- Divide the class into 2 groups A and B and ask students to guess what is it?
- Ask students to look at the relia or pictures to guess what teacher is talking about. 
- A few suggestions :
 + birthday card	
 + birthday cake
 + flowers
 + presents / gifts
 + sweets
- The group giving the correct answer first wins.
- Expected answers: Birthday party
-Lead-in: “Today we will learn unit 3: A party” 
* Example 3: Period 15- Unit 3: A PARTY- Part C: Listening 
- Divide the class into 2 groups A and B and ask students to guess what is it?
- Place a pack of cards on the table and face them down.
- Assign one representative from each group to take turns to choose a card at random.
- He / She has to draw gestures or mimes the words without speaking, writing 
or whispering – The other students in each group try to guess the word. One
correct word gets one point.
- A few suggestions : cake, candles, flowers, presents, blow out, sing song.
- The group with more points wins.	
- Expected answers: Birthday party
- Lead-in: “What do you think of when you read these words? In our listening lesson today, we’ll listen to a passage about Mai’s birthday party.”
* Example 4: 
Period 31- Unit 6: COMPETITIONS- Part C: Listening 
- Divide the class into two groups.
- Let students guess what it is by listening to teacher and looking at the pictures
( Olympic Games, 42 km, Do Thi Bong, Vu Thi Bich Huong, )
- The group that can give the answer first will win the game
- Expected answers: Marathon Race
- Lead-in: “ Today we are listening to a passage about a famous race. It’s the Boston Marathon.” 
* Example 5: 
Period 44- Unit 8: CELEBRATIONS- Part B: Speaking 
- Divide the class into two groups.
- Ask students to find out a word which contains 8 letters. Each letter is related to 
a question.
- Have students choose a number and answer the questions:
1. Vietnamese people always eat this on Tet Holiday.
2. Children enjoy watching this on Mid-fall festival.
3. Women often receive this on Women’s day.
4. The Independence Day of Vietnam.
5.This celebration occurs in February and it’s an occasion to show love to others.
6 One thing that people often send to others beside gifts on certain celebrations 
with wishes on them.
7. This celebration is on 20th of November.
8. A popular flower used to decorate the houses, especially in the north of 
Vietnam on Tet holiday.
- Ask students to give the key word after answering the questions:
1. Sticky rice cake
2. Lion-dance
3. flowers
4. 2nd of September
5. Valentine’s Day
6. Greeting cards
7. Teacher’s Day.
8. Apricot flowers
- Give the key word: Festivals
- Lead-in: “Today we will talk about celebration’s activities”.
* Example 6: 
Period 58- Unit 9: THE POST OFFICE- Part C: Listening 
- Give students suggestions ask them to guess what the thing is by raising yes/ no 
Questions.
- Suggestions:
1.It was invented in the 1870s. → Yes, it is.
2. It was invented by Alexandre Graham. → It is 037 990108
3. It is used to transmit speech in a long distance. → In 1999
- Give the key word: Telephone
- Lead-in: “Today we will listen to a monologue about the development of telephone system in Vietnam.”
* Example 7: 
Period 65- Unit 10: NATURE IN DANGER- Part D: Writing 
- Show the back of a picture of a national park to students.
- Give some information about the picture and ask students to find out what national park is.
+ It has a lot of tropical forests, beautiful landscapes and rare animals.
+ It is in the North – East of Vietnam.
+ It is on an island, 20km east of Hai Phong.
- Give the key word: Cat Ba national park.
- Lead-in: “Today we will learn how to write a description of a national park.”
2. Jumbled words
* Rule:
- Divide the class into small groups.
- Give each group one card containing 4->10 words whose letters are jumbled.
- Ask students to rearrange the letters to make correct words.
- The group which finishes the task first with the most correct words will be the winner.
	*Example 1: 
 Period 25- Unit 4: VOLUNTEER WORK- Part D: Writing
- Ask students to work in pairs to rearrange the jumbled letters in the correct order. Then ask them to give the answers by spelling the words.
 1. REVEICE	 → RECEIVE
 2. DNOTAINO → DONATION
 3. HLPE	 → HELP
 4. SOHLOC 	→ SCHOOL
 5. TSANKH 	→ THANKS
- Ask them some questions. Then ask them to give the answers:
 + When do you say ”Thank you”? → When some one helps us, gives us presents, des us a favor.
 + Has your school ever received donation? → Yes, it has
 + What should we do if we receive donation? → We should express our gratitude
- Lead-in: “One of ways of expressing gratitude to someone is writing a thank-you letter. Today we learn how to write a formal thank-you letter.”
* Example 2: 
Period 30- Unit 6: COMPETIONS- Part B: Speaking
- Ask students to put the letters of the words in the correct order. Then ask them to give the answers by spelling the words.
tar 	→ art
teabuy 	→ beauty
simuc 	→ music
snhelgi	 → English
zuqi 	→ Quiz
nsgi 	→ sing
- Ask them some questions. Then ask them to give the answers:
 + Do you like taking part in competition like these? Why? Why not?
→ Yes, I do / I like participating in English Competition because I want to
my English.
- Lead-in: “Today, we will talk about our feelings about different types of competition.”
 * Example 3: 
Period 57- Unit 9: THE POST OFFICE- Part B: Speaking
- Ask students to put the letters of the words in the correct order. Then ask them to give the answers by spelling the words.
1. mali → mail
2. nomey trerfans → money transfer
3. xfa → fax
4. repss deervyli → press delivery
- Lead-in: “Today, we will talk about some postal services.”
* Example 4: 
Period 63- Unit 10: NATURE IN DANGER- Part B: Speaking
- Ask students to put the letters of the words in the correct order. Then ask them to give the answers by spelling the words.
1. NEATUR	→ 	NATURE	
2. DOTYERS	→ 	DESTROY
3. PTERCOT	→ PROTECT
4. PTLAN	→ PLANT
5. AMILNA	→ ANIMAL
6. ARI	→ AIR	
- Lead-in: “Today, we will talk about some reasons why nature is threatened and give some solutions.”
3. Brainstorming
* Rule:
- Ask students to find out words related to the given topic .
- Divide the class into 2 teams, one using yellow chalk and the other red chalk.
- Get students to go to the blackboard and write all the words related to the topic in three minutes.
- The group with more words will be the winner.
* Aim: This game can be used to introduce or enforce a lesson. Its purpose is to help students guess the subject and the information about the lesson. Moreover students can review the previous knowledge and learn the new words by heart at the same time.
* Example 1 : 
Period 3- UNIT 1:FRIENDSHIP- Part B: Speaking
- Ask students to think of the adjectives used to describe body build and hair. 
body build
	thin 	 curly 
hair
Possible answers:
	- fat 	- straight
	- slim 	- long 
	- tall 	- short 
	- short 	black/dark
	- overweight 	- color 	blond/fair
	- slender	brown/ grey
- Introduce the new lesson: Learn how to describe physical characteristics.
* Example 2: 	
Period 15- Unit 3: A PARTY – Part C: Listening
- Ask students to list words related to birthday party.
foods
drinks
candle
gifts
camera
Birthday cake
A birthday party
- Introduce the new lesson: Hear a tapescript about Mai’s birthday party.
4. Crossword
* Rule:
- A class is divided into groups in this game. 
- Teacher gives the topic and some suggestions (the initial letters and pictures) 
- Students guess and write the answers. 
- When time is up, a representative of each group writes the answers on the board. The winner is the group having more right answers. Teacher should give the winner a present to stimulate their enthusiasm in the next class. 
* Example 1: 
Period 14- Unit 3: A PARTY –Part B: Speaking 
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B
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C
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C
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M
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6
N
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- Have students play the game. 
- Divide the class into two teams and give students suggestions and ask them to guess words in the topic. 
- Suggestions:
1. My mother often makes a.. for my bithday. 
2. On your birthday, you often receive a lot of  
3. The day when you were born is called 
4. A piece of paper which you often write best wishes on for your friends on New Year or Christmas Day. It’s a .. 
5.  is on December 24th. 
6. January 1st is the day of  
- The team finding out the answers more quickly will be the winner.
- Give the key word: A party
- Announce the winners, comment and introduce the new lesson: “Today you will practise asking and answering about the party.” 
* Example 2: 
Period 69- Unit 11: SOURCES OF ENERGY–Part B: Speaking
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G
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- Have students play the game. 
- Divide the class into two teams and give students suggestions and ask them to guess words in the topic. 
- Suggestions:
1 – In modern wolrd, this kind of weapon is often used in wars.
2 – It makes trees swing and we feel comfortable if we have it on hot summer days.
3 – Something like oil, gas, coal
4 – It covers two thirds of the earth.
5 – Nowadays people like to use it to cook.
6 – We can not have light if it goes out.
- The team finding out the answers more quickly will be the winner.
- Give the key word: Energy
- Announce the winners, comment and introduce the new lesson:“In this lesson, we will talk about advantages and disadvantages of some sources of energy” 
5. Slap the Board 
* Rule:
- Teachers write some English words on the board ( either the new words or the need to practice sound ) .
- Call on two groups to go to the board, each group of three or four students. Two groups have the same distance from the table.
- The teacher reads aloud any English word on the board ( or any Vietnamese word )
- In turn, students in both groups run to the board to search and tap the word that the teacher has read.
- The team which has more correct words will be the winner.
 * Aim: To help create the excitement , the attention of the students to the topic ; assist in the review of the new words , creating a favorable environment for new lessons. 
 * Example 1: 	
Period 13- Unit 3: A PARTY- Part A: Reading
- Write on the board some words related to a party: candle, song, cake, cards, sing, gifts, friends, relatives, host, food, drinks, music, fruits. 
- Ask Ss to play the game Slap the Board.
- Control the game.
- Introduce the new lesson: Learn about the topic “ A party”
* Example 2: 
Period 45- Unit 8: CELEBRATIONS - Part C: Listening
- Write down on the board some words related to a celebration: Exchange, visit, give lucky money, decorate, go, receive lucky money, cook, wear/put on. 
- Ask students to play the game Slap the Board.
- Control the game.	
- Lead into the new lesson: You will hear two people talking about how the New Year is celebrated in Japan. 
* Example 3: 
	Period 83- Unit 13: HOBBIES –Part B: Speaking
- Write down on the board some words related to hobbies: Swimming, playing cards, reading books, watching TV, Stamp- collecting, playing computer games, playing the guitar, going fishing. 
- Or show some pictures about those hobbies. 
- Ask students to play the game Slap the Board
- Control the game: Show the pictures. 
- Comment and introduce the new lesson: Today you will practise asking and answering about your hobbies. 
6. Kim’s game 
* Rule:
- Divide the class into four groups .
- Give objects , paintings  or words in a short period of time . Ask students to not write but memorize them .
- Put objects , paintings  away or delete words.
- Call your representative on the board to rewrite the names of these objects , paintings, or words . The group that remembers a lot is the winner .
 * Aim: To help create the excitement , the attention of students to the lesson topic . ; arouse the available knowledge of the students related to ne