Motivate your foreign language or ESL students with a friendly classroom game of basketball. Learn English, French, Spanish, German, or any other language through play.

Motivating students to interact in a new language can be a difficult task. But a spirit of play and competition can turn a typical lesson into immersion magic. Play this versatile version of basketball in your classroom to foster language proficiency, enthusiasm, and communication.

Because of the nature of competition in this game, it is recommended for students 10 and up.

Materials

You will need:

• A soft ball that is safe to be thrown inside
• A basket, box, or even a trashcan
• Masking tape
• A coin, preferably from the target culture
• A board and markers/chalk for scorekeeping

Set-Up

Physically divide the class into two teams. In the space between the teams, create your basketball court. Place the basket near the front of the room where everyone can see it, and place three lines of masking tape on the floor. The one-point line will be closest to the basket for the easiest shot, followed by the two-point line, and finally, the most distant three-point line.

Object of the Game

Students will try to earn as many points as possible for their team by answering questions or identifying pictures in the target language and shooting baskets for additional points. But the teacher knows that the real object of the game is to get every student involved in a fun, immersion activity using only the target language.

How to Play

1. Divide the class into two teams.

2. Ask the teams to come up with a team name using the target language.

3. Brainstorm a list of expressions that basketball fans would use at a real game. Consider words of encouragement like: Great, Fantastic, Way to Go, Excellent, Good Luck, Nice Try, Too Bad.

4. Flip a quarter (or euro or peso) to determine which team will go first. From this moment on, no language other than the target language is allowed.

5. Choose one player from the first team to answer a question or identify a picture or a number. If the student does so correctly, award one point to the team. The student then throws the basketball from the one-, two-, or three-point line. If successful, add the appropriate number of points to the team's score.

6. Constantly encourage cheering, suggestions, and encouragement in the target language from the class as a whole. Any language other than the language of the game will result in one lost point. Ditto for poor sportsmanship.

7. Continue choosing students to give responses and shoot baskets. Play until a certain number of points are reached, or until your time is up. Count and total the points in the target language.

8. A small candy, stamp, or sticker can be awarded to the winning team, but that is entirely up to the teacher's discretion.

For a special treat when the weather is nice, consider taking your students outside to a real basketball court for this activity. This language learning basketball game is sure to become a favorite of your students. You'll be amazed by the amount of immersion and enthusiasm in your classroom.