The effectiveness of Language games for efl vocabulary teaching and learning at Complexo Escolar Privado a Verdade Vos Libertará – Matala

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the Effectiveness of language games for EFL vocabulary teaching and learning at Complexo Escolar Privado a Verdade vos Libertará-Matala. During my short experience as a teacher of English at “complexo Escolar Privado a Verdade Vos Libertará–Matala”, I have notice that most teachers have difficulties in teaching vocabulary by using language games. Probably because: 1- they never used language games as technique in their classes, 2- they do not select effectively the games activities they teach and 3- the language games instructions are wrongly given, and as consequences students memorize rotefully the words what teachers teach them. To collect data it was used a questionnaire and an interview for teachers. Five (5) teachers of English participated in the study. The study concluded that: Teachers need to use language games to influence student’s EFL vocabulary skills in the classroom; Young learners have the characteristics that differ to adults one. Taking this into account students need different teaching which is more various and attractive. Thus, teachers have to be as creative as possible to promote suitable methods and techniques so that learning/teaching process should be a success for both. The most frequently used types of language games by teachers at Complexo Escolar Privado a Verdade Vos Libertará-Matala are: card games, word games, guessing games board games, movement games, drawing games, kinesthetic games and role play games; When using language games, teachers tend to face many problems related to lack of technological skills and sufficient materials.