Comments on: ESL Games and Classroom Activities: An Interactive Activity Book for All Ages http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/ Helping People Learn to Read Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:33:02 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Jeff Holliday http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/comment-page-1/#comment-4042 Jeff Holliday Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:18:06 +0000 http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/#comment-4042 I feel bad writing such a negative review, but this was possibly the worst ESL book I've ever purchased. The activities are very mundane and provide little guidance or structure. For example, one activity, titled "Can", is just a list of questions in the form of "Can you {verb phrase}?" and the students then answer the questions, presumably in the form of "Yes, I can..." or, "No, I can't..." Another activity is just a list of famous people, and the assignment is for students to do an oral presentation about the person they choose. Many of the activities in this book have a similar format. <br /> <br />The entire book is in black and white and all the illustrations (including the cover) are clip art i.e. it's a very boring layout. The cover advertises the book as being appropriate "for all ages" but I found it way too advanced for the kids I am teaching (ages 5~9). At the same time, I think it would be pretty boring for anyone out of high school. <br /> <br />Overall, this book is not a good value. I have seen plenty of other good ESL books (here on Amazon, too) that are worth the money. Rating: 1 / 5 I feel bad writing such a negative review, but this was possibly the worst ESL book I’ve ever purchased. The activities are very mundane and provide little guidance or structure. For example, one activity, titled “Can”, is just a list of questions in the form of “Can you {verb phrase}?” and the students then answer the questions, presumably in the form of “Yes, I can…” or, “No, I can’t…” Another activity is just a list of famous people, and the assignment is for students to do an oral presentation about the person they choose. Many of the activities in this book have a similar format.

The entire book is in black and white and all the illustrations (including the cover) are clip art i.e. it’s a very boring layout. The cover advertises the book as being appropriate “for all ages” but I found it way too advanced for the kids I am teaching (ages 5~9). At the same time, I think it would be pretty boring for anyone out of high school.

Overall, this book is not a good value. I have seen plenty of other good ESL books (here on Amazon, too) that are worth the money.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> By: Karen http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/comment-page-1/#comment-4041 Karen Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:54:43 +0000 http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/#comment-4041 This is a great collection of lively exercises for students of all levels. Reading, writing, grammar, spelling, listening, and speaking are all addressed through a variety of activities that elicit thoughtful individual work and group participation. Some of my favorites are the geography, poetry, and oral report assignments. These give students opportunities to explore the world around them as they grow in English proficiency. <br /> <br />I also find that this book offers very caring projects which foster a sense of classroom community. Together students can compose jazz chants, make a fruit salad, conduct job interviews, and more. These exercises - some practical, some just for fun - allow students to know better their classmates and themselves. <br /> <br />The creative, multi-dimensional approach to language learning is what I most enjoy about ESL Games and Classroom Activities. Rating: 5 / 5 This is a great collection of lively exercises for students of all levels. Reading, writing, grammar, spelling, listening, and speaking are all addressed through a variety of activities that elicit thoughtful individual work and group participation. Some of my favorites are the geography, poetry, and oral report assignments. These give students opportunities to explore the world around them as they grow in English proficiency.

I also find that this book offers very caring projects which foster a sense of classroom community. Together students can compose jazz chants, make a fruit salad, conduct job interviews, and more. These exercises – some practical, some just for fun – allow students to know better their classmates and themselves.

The creative, multi-dimensional approach to language learning is what I most enjoy about ESL Games and Classroom Activities.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Eric A. Claire http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/comment-page-1/#comment-4040 Eric A. Claire Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:39 +0000 http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/#comment-4040 This book will be quite useful for the class of beginning English speakers that I'll have this summer. The activities are on their level, and will capture their interest. The activities are not too long or too technical. <br />This was a good buy. Rating: 4 / 5 This book will be quite useful for the class of beginning English speakers that I’ll have this summer. The activities are on their level, and will capture their interest. The activities are not too long or too technical.

This was a good buy.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Language Teacher http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/comment-page-1/#comment-4039 Language Teacher Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:45:43 +0000 http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/#comment-4039 I am sorry that I laid out money for this waste of paper. There are very few games and the pedagogy is so simplistic as to be laughable. Considering the author's "PhD" is from a diploma mill, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. <br /> <br />Shop elsewhere! there are many other useful books out there! Rating: 1 / 5 I am sorry that I laid out money for this waste of paper. There are very few games and the pedagogy is so simplistic as to be laughable. Considering the author’s “PhD” is from a diploma mill, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

Shop elsewhere! there are many other useful books out there!
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> By: Karen http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/comment-page-1/#comment-4038 Karen Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:04:29 +0000 http://www.literacynews.com/2009/11/esl-games-and-classroom-activities-an-interactive-activity-book-for-all-ages/#comment-4038 The multi-faceted approach to language learning is what I most enjoy about ESL Games and Classroom Activities. Students of all levels can build their skills in English reading, writing, listening, and speaking through a variety of thoughtful individual and group exercises. Some of my favorites are the poetry, oral report, and job interview assignments. These are just some of the exercises that give students opportunities to learn more about themselves and their world while becoming proficient in English.<p>I also find this to be a pleasantly multicultural book in which students can explore the geography, history, citizens, stories, and ideas that they have encountered in their past experiences and will encounter in their new home. The games and activities really offer an opportunity to bring students together in a supportive language learning environment. Rating: 5 / 5 The multi-faceted approach to language learning is what I most enjoy about ESL Games and Classroom Activities. Students of all levels can build their skills in English reading, writing, listening, and speaking through a variety of thoughtful individual and group exercises. Some of my favorites are the poetry, oral report, and job interview assignments. These are just some of the exercises that give students opportunities to learn more about themselves and their world while becoming proficient in English.

I also find this to be a pleasantly multicultural book in which students can explore the geography, history, citizens, stories, and ideas that they have encountered in their past experiences and will encounter in their new home. The games and activities really offer an opportunity to bring students together in a supportive language learning environment.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]>