Do you know 5 games to make language learning fun? Learning a new language is a beneficial skill no matter your age, but it is especially helpful for children. Bilingual children have more flexible brains, boosting their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, not to mention enhancing their spelling and grammar in two languages.
Bilingual children often stand out with more confidence, as well. Reading and thinking in two languages gives kids advantages over their peers that will follow them for life.
However, urging children to study is not always an easy task. That’s why it is essential to make language-learning fun for your children. Turning lessons into language learning games is a surefire way to keep your kids engaged and eager to learn.
Here are 5 games to make language learning fun for your kids and anyone else!
1. Bingo
The classic game of bingo makes a great tool to teach words in different languages. Download these 36 different bingo sheets in English, Spanish, and French. Laminate the sheets for reusability and easy marker clean-up.
The sheets range in themes such as animals, clothing, and food. To teach the words, read sheets off in a different language. Your kids can then translate to find the word on their boards.
Or, mark off words based on images, songs, or even in the foreign language version of a favorite movie. These foreign language bingo sheets provide many unique language games and styles of learning to suit everyone’s needs.
2. Matching Game
Matching games help your children understand the connection between native and foreign words. With these sheets, your kids can cut out each panel and combine them all. One easy game involves simply matching the English cards with those in French and Spanish.
Other games include:
• Upside-down matching: Flip two cards until there is a match between two languages.
• Three-language matching: Push the limits and find matches in Spanish, French, and English.
• Word games: Draw a hand of cards and create funny sentences with the drawn words.
Or, create your own language games using these sheets of matchable words.
3. Item Naming
If you’re teaching your child Spanish or French, naming items is a great way to build vocabulary and word recognition. With visual aids, your kids can make faster connections between native and foreign words.
Like the other language games, these sheets provide many styles of fun. Ask beginning learners to circle the image that matches the word. Or, for additional learning opportunities, ask them to circle the word you say.
As your kids become more comfortable with the language, encourage them to identify and name each item on the sheets. This is a great way to build their foreign language vocabulary.
4. Interview a Friend
Learning a new language is always easier (and more fun) with a friend. These question sheets allow your kids and their friends to ask and answer in Spanish and French. This exercise helps teach common sayings in each language. Plus, it encourages your kids to speak the language, not just memorize certain phrases.
If your children have friends who speak the language, ask them to write their answers. Then, have your child translate the answers. It’s okay if the translation isn’t complete. Please encourage them to look for the words they know to understand entire phrases.
5. Mad Libs
Mad Libs is a classic game that is wonderful for teaching foreign languages. These Mad Lib sheets provide a customizable story in English, Spanish, and French. It’s perfect for learning multiple languages at once.
Like any Mad Lib game, your kids can fill out each blank with a word in the indicated style. These sheets prompt your children to read and write in a foreign language. Plus, by comparing each version of the story, they can learn the similarities and connections between the three languages.
These sheets also provide plenty of new words to memorize. As well, since the story is a typical, everyday tale, it provides a helpful example of a native language conversation all while having fun with spelling, reading, and writing.
Final Thoughts
In today’s world, people are more connected than ever. Encouraging your children to learn a new language gives them a great head-start. Developing critical thinking and reading skills in two languages makes your kids’ minds stronger at an early age.
Of course, learning is always more effective when it’s fun. And these printable educational language games offer many entertaining learning aids. Follow the examples listed above, or create your own family fun. Either way, boosting your children’s bilingual skills grants them a mighty boon for the rest of their lives.