Games as a tool to teach vocabulary

GAMES AS A TOOL TO TEACH VOCABULARY

Mamatova Gulhayo Komiljon qizi
NamMQI "Chet tillar" kafedrasi o’qituvchisi
Abstract
The present research is intended to determine how the use of games influences on the process of vocabulary learning in the English language classrooms. This investigation might be of interest to all the teachers who want to implement games in their classes as a tool to facilitate the teaching and learning process. Besides, as this action research focuses on students with special abilities, it can give teachers some ideas on how games can be used to motivate this group of students, and also can help the teachers determine which activities and games are appropriate when teaching vocabulary.
Key words: vocabulary, game, teaching, activity, motivation.
Introduction
The idea of using games in teaching does not seem to be widely accepted and implemented yet. Many teachers still think that using games can be a waste of time. However, some studies have demonstrated that the use of games can be an effective strategy to be implemented when teaching vocabulary. In fact, some authors have mentioned some advantages of using games, for example: Games provide a context for meaningful communication. Even if the game involves discrete language items, such as a spelling game, meaningful communication takes place as students seek to understand how to play the game and as they communicate about the game: before, during, and after the game [8;p.4]. Other authors affirm that the emotions aroused when playing games add variety to the sometimes dry, serious process of language instruction [3;p.6].
Vocabulary is central to language and is of great significance to language learners. Words are the building blocks of a language since they label objects, actions, ideas without which people cannot convey the intended meaning. The prominent role of vocabulary knowledge in second or foreign language learning has been recently recognized by theorists and researchers in the field.[2; pp.183-218]. Accordingly, numerous types of approaches, techniques, exercises and practice have been introduced into the field to teach vocabulary [5;p.44]. It has been suggested that teaching vocabulary should not only consist of teaching specific words but also aim at equipping learners with strategies necessary to expand their vocabulary knowledge .