Video Games ESL Lesson: Vocabulary and Discussion Topics

If there is one thing that young English learners and ESL classes have in common around the world, it's their passion for playing video games. It doesn't matter what platform they use: Playstation 2, Xbox, or GameBoy, even smartphones. Taking cue from this passion for video games, this lesson is devoted to getting them to talk about video games - but in English!

• Aim: Getting students to talk, learning new vocabulary
• Activity: Discussing video games - Making video games vocabulary trees
• Level: Intermediate to advanced

Outline

• Have students read a short video game advertisement.
• Discuss new words and any related vocabulary.
• Ask students to get into small groups of three or four and fill in a MindMap or vocabulary tree for video games.
• Ask students to fill in the "types of games" worksheet individually.
• Divide students into small groups. Students should brainstorm the types of games they play. For example, are they multiplayer or arcade games?
• Ask each student (or group of students) to write.
• Ask students to NOT use the name of the game, but write a description of one of their favorite video games using the vocabulary in the vocabulary tree, on their worksheet, and in their discussions. Make sure to point out that directions should be given in the imperative voice.
• Have students read their game descriptions to the class. Ask the other students to guess which game is being described.

Reading: Do You Love Gaming?

If the answer is yes, then you're going to love this new classic! Star Hunters is the game with something for everyone! Designed for multiple platforms including: Playstation, XBox - and smart phone versions for iPhone and Android. This 3-D game puts you in control! A cross between a role-playing, action, educational and fighting game, you'll be wowed by its incredibly addictive nature. This game has got it all, puzzles to solve, tasks to complete and missions to accomplish - and all these in various player modes. Just think, if you like to fight, you can fight your way to the top. If you prefer quizzes, the wizards have plenty of questions to ask as you learn your way to success. All this with multiple navigation systems: joystick, keyboard and mouse. Get Star Hunters - the fun has just begun!

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Hobbies Vocabulary for English Students

By Kenneth Beare

Mind Map

Create a mind map or vocabulary tree of words related to:

• Verbs - Actions: What do you do? 
• Nouns - Things - Places: What things can you find? Where do you go? Where are you at?
• Adjectives - What does the game look like? How does it seem?

Worksheet: Types of Games

What types of games do you play? What categories might you use? Are the games puzzles, multiplayer, or arcade games? Describe your games.

Game Environment

What equipment do you need to play in the game? What kind of environment does the game take place in? Does it have a race track or mountain scenes? Does the game take place on a field?

Video Games

Which video games do you usually play? Do other students play those games? 

Rules of the Game

What are the rules of your favorite games? 

Your Best Game

Describe your best game. What happened? What was the score? Who or what did you beat?