Discover different ways to use your Jenga® GIANT™ game in your foreign language classroom!

Communication skills are already difficult in our native languages, so imagine trying to do it in a foreign language! Learning new grammar rules, conversation starters, vocabulary words, etc. can be very tricky. The lessons usually involve books and constant repetition; however, modern language learning includes dynamic games to help students learn faster and better. Recent research has proven that involving play when learning a foreign language provides a natural and motivating context for language practice and creates numerous learning opportunities.

As a teacher, all you will need is to provide the necessary space for playing your Jenga® GIANT™ game, calculate the time accordingly, and place your students in groups. Once the Jenga® GIANT™ game has started, don't forget to monitor your students’ performance and progress so you can address their difficulties or queries. Preparing your lessons has never been this fun, and your students will enjoy the change of pace from their usual lessons.

Discover five ways to use your Jenga® GIANT™ game in your foreign language classroom.

Surprise and delight your students with these five ways of using your Jenga® GIANT™ game to teach and give them practice with the foreign language they are learning.

1. Vocabulary Jenga® GIANT™ game

Using new vocabulary is essential when learning a foreign language. When planning the lesson, choose a topic, then select the target vocabulary words for that topic. Using the Genuine Chalk Ink® Wet Wipe Marker, write down the target words on each Jenga® GIANT™ block. Start playing a traditional game of Jenga® GIANT™, however, with each block they take out, they have to use the vocabulary word in a sentence. Anticipation builds to a crashing climax!

2. Verbs Jenga® GIANT™ group game

Acting out the verbs is a great way to memorize what they mean to say in a foreign language. Raise the stakes by adding the thrill of your Jenga® GIANT™ game. Write a different verb on the side of each of the 54 blocks. Divide your students into two teams, and take turns picking a block from the tower. The aim of this exercise is for the student to act out the verb for their teammates to guess in one minute in order to earn a point. However, if their teammates don’t guess correctly, the other team gets a chance to guess. If they guess correctly, they get the point. The team with the most points wins. Your students will learn their foreign verbs in a fun way!

3. Numbers Jenga® GIANT™ game

Pronunciation isn’t the only challenging thing to learn. Being able to write down the numbers in the foreign language you are trying to learn can be difficult. If you are a teacher looking for alternative and amusing ways to teach your students, this idea will blow your mind! First, add different numbers to the sides of the blocks. The aim is for the student to pick a block and write out the number in a foreign language. Not only will it help them memorize their phonetics, but it will also help them to learn the correct spelling. It’s your move!

4. Situation Jenga® GIANT™ game

After learning target vocabulary, verbs, and even numbers, structuring sentences may seem easy. However, getting your students to speak in a foreign language can be very challenging. Playing a game of Jenga® GIANT™ can help them ease into it. Write down the question “what would you do?” on the board. The aim is for each student that successfully slides out a block, to ask a classmate "what would they do" in a situation of their choosing. This not only helps spark their creativity but helps them work on their question and answer sentences. Get ready for the challenge!

5. Spontaneous conversation Jenga® GIANT™ game

This game is ideal for advanced students that need more practice in terms of conversation. Have your students create a list of 54 questions and number the pieces of your Jenga® GIANT™ game to correspond with those questions. The aim is for each student to take out a block and ask their classmates the question associated with the number written on the block. You can add an amount of time to make the game more challenging, as they will have to think on their feet to provide a full answer. It’s your move!

Learn a foreign language by playing with your Jenga® GIANT™ game. Learning has never been this fun! Discover our giant Jenga® games at jengagiant.com, pick the one you like most. Entertain your students with your Jenga® GIANT™ game!