Advantages of Language Games

IKA FATKHIYATI NURUL UMAY

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Children like playing games as their characteristics like to play. Games can be the right teaching technique to teach children, because they are not only fun but also can improve the learner’s language skill. Moreover, Nunan (2005: 57) says that game is a very appropriate teaching technique in the young-learners classroom. Students can learn while play in their classroom. They will feel comfort in their classroom as well as their home. Then, they will enjoy the teaching and learning process. By enjoying the teaching and learning process their language skills can be improved. In addition, playing games is a vital and natural part of growing up and learning. Through games children experiment, discover, and interact with their environment. (Lewis, 2004)  

Martin in Brewster and Ellis (2002: 172) states that games is any fun activities which give young learners the opportunity to practice the foreign language in a relaxed and enjoyable way. In playing a game students can be relax, not as in doing exercise in the textbook. Without being forced by teacher, students are willing to practice the language because they enjoy the game. According to Brewster and Ellis (2002:172) there are two kinds of games. First is competitive game, with teams or individuals working toward being the ‘winner’. Second is cooperative game, teams or pairs work together to achieve the goal, such as drawing picture or solving a puzzle.  
The Advantages of Using Games
Many advantages can be found from using games. Beside it is fun, it give many benefits. As stated by Brewster and Ellis (2002: 173) the advantages of using games are:

•  They add the variety to range of learning situation 
  By playing game teaching and learning process is no longer monotonous. It becomes interesting.
• The change the pace of a lesson and help to keep pupils’ motivation. As we know, playing game is a fun. Children enjoy it. By playing game, they are being motivated to learn.
• They ‘lighten’ more formal teaching and can help to renew pupils ‘energy. Sometimes formal teaching is monotonous and boring. Through games teaching and learning process become more interesting. 
•  They provide ‘hidden’ practice of specific language patterns, vocabulary and pronunciation. 
•  They can help to improve attention span, concentration, memory, listening skills and reading skills. 

REFERENCES 

Brewster, J., G. Ellis, and D. Girard. 2002. The Primary English Teacher’s Guide, New Edition. London: Penguin.

Lewis, Gordon.1999. Games for children.New York: Oxford University Press.

Nunan, David. 1991. Language Teaching Methodology. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall International.

Pinter, Annamaria. 2006. Teaching Young Language Learners. Oxford: Oxford University Press.