From Casino to Classroom: Poker Card Game to Aid ESL Group Discussion.

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Hey, today I want to introduce you to an English educational game initiated by a wonderful woman I met during MELTA 2013 conference, Puan Razanawati Nordin. It is chatting BOOSTERS!

Let me describe the product:






What?
A deck of 53 cards containing different English language phrases and expressions.
Example:
  • To greet (x1)
  • To ask question (x6)
  • To make suggestion (x7)
  • To end discussion (x1)

Why?
  • To assist ESL students speaking in a small group.
  • To encourage interaction in a group.
  • To overcome the fear in searching, constructing and presenting ideas.
  • To express and exchange their views.
  • To guide students for appropriate turn-taking and response.
  • To correct each other while using the cards.
  • To create relaxed, fun and lively discussion.

How?
  • Students form groups of 3 to 4 (I let students played in groups of 10)
  • Each group is given a deck of chatting BOOSTERS!
  • Teacher explains briefly on how to play the cards:
    • A student shuffles the cards.
    • A student distributes the cards evenly to group members.
    • Then, teacher gives a situation.
    • Students begin the discussion based on the given situation.
    • Each response expressed by students should make use of the language expression on the cards.
    • The session continues till last card is used.
  • Winner is decided on whoever manages to finish all his cards first.
  • When complete the discussion, a student will collect all cards, reshuffle and deal the cards.
  • Then, teacher gives the next situation.

Dos and Donts
  • Students must place their card in the CENTER each time they talk.
  • The student MUST say the expression out loud and form a sentence of opinion on the given situation.
  • Students are not allowed to rush the discussion.
  • There is no specific turn-taking.
  • There is no time limit.

Situation for discussion (suggestion)
  • Money is the most important things in life.
  • Children should not go to schools.
  • We can't live without internet. Do you agree?

Practicality
It can be used as:
  • a main speaking activity
  • a kick-start (pre-writing activity) for persuasive or argumentative essay writing lessons.

It promotes the usage of:
  • Communicative Language Learning; and
  • Task-Based Learning.



Honestly, I have used the cards in my speaking lessons and my students (form 4) really enjoy it. At first, it was quite hard for my students to play the game but after a few attempts, students find the cards helpful as it pushes them to construct sentences from the cards (they have to or they will lose the game). 

It is also a good initiative for English teachers on their lazy days ;) Seriously! 


For further information on this gorgeous product, please contact me through my Facebook.

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