Incorporating sports into the English language classroom can be a powerful way to engage students, enhance language skills, and promote physical activity. Using sports-related activities helps students learn vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills in a fun, interactive way. Combining physical education (PE) with English language teaching also addresses multiple learning styles, catering to kinesthetic learners who benefit from movement-based activities. This article explores how TESOL teachers can bring sports into the classroom and introduces some of the best apps for incorporating physical education into English lessons.
Why Integrate Sports into English Language Teaching?
Sports can be a dynamic tool for language learning because they naturally involve a range of communicative skills. When students participate in or discuss sports, they must use language to describe actions, give instructions, ask questions, and express opinions. Here are some key benefits of using sports-related activities in English language teaching:
- Builds Vocabulary and Language Skills: Sports have specific terminology related to equipment, rules, and actions. Learning these terms gives students a practical vocabulary set they can use in everyday conversations. Phrases like “kick the ball,” “score a goal,” or “pass it to your teammate” are not only sports-related but can also be used in other contexts.
- Enhances Communication Skills: Playing team sports encourages students to communicate clearly and effectively with one another. It provides opportunities to practice giving and following instructions, negotiating strategies, and expressing preferences – all essential language functions.
- Motivates Students: Many learners have a natural interest in sports, making them more motivated to participate in activities that include physical movement and athletic skills. When students are engaged, they are more likely to remember what they’ve learned.
- Promotes Teamwork and Social Interaction: Sports activities foster collaboration, helping students develop social skills and build stronger relationships with their classmates. This sense of community enhances the learning environment and makes students feel more comfortable speaking English.
- Supports Health and Well-being: Incorporating movement in the classroom not only helps students stay active but also aids in reducing stress and boosting mood, which can have a positive impact on their learning.
Sports-Themed Classroom Activities for TESOL Teachers
- Sports Vocabulary Bingo: Create bingo cards with sports-related terms, such as “goal,” “dribble,” “court,” or “serve.” As you call out the definitions, students mark the corresponding terms on their cards. The first student to get bingo shouts “Goal!” instead of “Bingo!” to keep the sports theme alive.
- Match Commentary Role-Play: Have students work in pairs or small groups to commentate on a recorded sports match. Give them a script outline to guide the commentary, but encourage them to be as creative and descriptive as possible. This activity not only builds vocabulary but also develops their listening and speaking skills.
- Sports Debate: Organize a debate on a sports-related topic, such as “Should physical education be mandatory in schools?” or “Which is better, individual or team sports?” Students can take sides and present their arguments, using language for expressing opinions and persuading others.
- Create a Sports Instructional Video: Ask students to work in groups to make a short video explaining how to play a sport or perform a specific physical exercise. They can demonstrate the steps while using instructional language like “first,” “then,” and “finally.” This task helps with sequencing, speaking skills, and using the imperative form.
- Interactive Warm-Up Games: Incorporate simple warm-up activities like “Simon Says” with a sports twist (e.g., “Simon says run in place” or “Simon says pretend to dribble a basketball”). These activities can be used as quick energizers to start the class or during transitions between lessons.
Best Apps for Physical Education and Sports Activities
- Sworkit Kids
Sworkit Kids is a fun and engaging app that provides customizable workouts for children. It includes exercises like stretching, yoga, strength training, and sports drills, all of which can be used to get students moving in the classroom. Teachers can integrate Sworkit into lessons by instructing students to follow the workout routines and describe the movements they’re doing. - Coach’s Eye
This app allows users to record sports performances and provide feedback on the movements. TESOL teachers can use Coach’s Eye to film students performing sports drills or exercises, and then watch the recordings to discuss what happened. This practice can help students learn vocabulary related to sports movements, such as “jump,” “throw,” “bend,” and “stretch.” - PE Shake
PE Shake is an app that provides over 100 different physical education activities and games with clear instructions. The app generates random warm-up games or exercises that can be used for English lessons involving movement. Teachers can incorporate English tasks, such as describing each activity, naming the equipment, or giving directions. - GoNoodle
GoNoodle offers movement-based videos designed to get students active while also having fun. The app includes dance routines, sports-themed exercises, and mindfulness activities. It can be a great tool for teaching sports vocabulary, action verbs, and following instructions in English. - Fitbound
Fitbound provides short physical activity breaks that are easy to do in a classroom setting. The app includes a variety of workouts suitable for different fitness levels and ages. Teachers can use Fitbound activities to practice English phrases like “stretch your arms,” “take a deep breath,” and “jump up.” - Team Shake
This app is perfect for organizing group sports activities and dividing students into teams fairly. Teachers can set up team-based English tasks, where students compete in language challenges involving sports terminology or perform specific actions to earn points. - Zombies, Run! (Kids Version)
The kids’ version of the popular running game “Zombies, Run!” turns physical exercise into an adventurous game where students complete missions while running or walking. It’s a fun way to encourage physical activity and language learning, as students can follow instructions in English to complete the challenges.
Tips for TESOL Teachers Using Sports and PE Apps
- Adapt Activities to Language Levels: While sports activities can be fun, make sure the language used is appropriate for the students’ proficiency levels. For beginners, focus on basic vocabulary and simple phrases. For more advanced learners, incorporate discussions on sports strategies or analyze sports-related news articles.
- Encourage Language Use During Physical Activities: Create opportunities for students to use English during physical tasks. For example, ask them to give instructions to their peers, describe what they are doing, or comment on a peer’s performance.
- Incorporate Cultural Aspects of Sports: Introduce sports popular in English-speaking countries, such as baseball, American football, or cricket. Use this as a way to discuss cultural differences and similarities, expanding the lesson beyond language skills.
- Keep Safety in Mind: Ensure that all physical activities are safe and appropriate for the classroom environment. Modify any exercises that might be too vigorous or require too much space.
Conclusion
Integrating sports into the TESOL classroom is a fantastic way to bring movement, excitement, and real-world language use into learning. Physical education activities help students engage with the English language more naturally while also promoting healthy habits. By using sports-related tasks and leveraging the best PE apps, TESOL teachers can make their lessons dynamic and memorable, ensuring that students not only learn English but enjoy doing so.
Start implementing these strategies and apps in your classes, and watch your students’ language skills and enthusiasm grow!
