Humor and fun in ESL classrooms
I read an interesting and useful article titled ‘effects of humor in the language classroom’ written by Lance Askildson, which suggests humor to be the most dominant feature in an ESL class as the study has shown a very supporting outcome.
Humor which is often ignored in the classrooms stands as one of the few universals applicable to all people and all languages throughout the world (Kruger, 1996). It does not mean that element of humor causes improvement in ESL proficiency directly rather it creates an environment which facilitates teacher-student relationship, because of light and fun environment students are psychologically charged and participate more enthusiastically in their classes.
The effect of such a class as relaxing, comforting and tension reducing device has effects on teacher image. In my learning experience, I improved a lot because of the fun activities, in the following I would like to mention few activities which could be help.
Skits
Dramatizing short skit was my favorite activity and very useful as these short skits were written, directed and acted by students, in front of their classes or even the whole institute and judges who are usually the teachers, decide the best performers, theme and so on, sometimes students come up with very creative, interesting and fun ideas. In the process of writing dialogues, rehearsal and directions the learners get ample opportunity to listen, read, write and speak in the target language.
Press conference/ Court martial
In this activity the class is divided into three, four, five groups depending on the total number of students in class and each group is asked to choose a celebrity (dead or alive) and then the groups represents that celebrity, the remaining students in the class play reports or journalists and the groups that chooses the personality defend the personality and answers controversial issues in defense.
Alibi
Two students are chosen from the class and then the class decides a charge form them e.g. they committed any crime on a specified time and date, then these students go out of class and decide an alibi for that particular day and time, one of the students is called in the class the other remains out of class, the first students is interrogated by the class and then the second student is called and asked the same questions, if there is difference in their statements they are guilty otherwise innocent.
These few games are just an example there could be many activities which could be interesting, humorous and fun.