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said that games must be run by some rules. A child playing with a doll cannot be considered as doing a game, yet it is merely a playing.
Language games are not different. Language games are conducted to make the class more fun and competitive. Games must have clear rules that the all the students
agree and understand. This will make the class settled and the aims of the lesson achieved.
As mentioned above, we can also conclude that games are very effective in boosting students’ motivation to learn. Games are effective as they make students
participate on the playing that of course has been designed to learn beforehand. As students will gain more knowledge when they enjoy the learning, games also
guarantee that the students will be more successful to learn while they are having games
rather than listening to teacher’s explanation unwillingly.
b. The Advantages of Using Games in Learning
Games are effective to increase motivation, to lower students stress, and to give language learners the opportunity for real communication. Hansen 1994 on Trong
Tuan Thi Minh Doan, 2010 states that games are highly motivating and entertaining and they can give shy learners more opportunity to express their
opinions and feelings. The idea of games bring more effectiveness in learning is also suppo
rted by Vernon’s 2006 statement that students can learn two times faster when they are excited about learning. Furthermore, on mentioning competitive
games, Rinvoluci and Davis 1995: 29 state that competitive activities that hit pairs against pairs and threes again threes are excellent for fostering collaboration and
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mutual help within each team. Therefore, in this kind of games, learners interact a lot with one another.
Richard-Amato 1988: 147 emphasized that games can lower anxiety, thus making the acquisition of input more likely. Also, with relaxed atmosphere which is
created by using games, students remember things faster and better Wierus Wierus, 1994: 218. We can see the benefits of using games are numerous. The
students will not get stressed or bored by the lesson, yet they still learn, even faster with games.
Wright also stated in his book that a game means “an activity which is entertaining and engaging, often challenging, and an activity in which the learners
play and usually interact with others.”
Games are one of the most fun yet effective ways to learn. The students will not feel insecure due to the pressure of the lesson as games will get them entertained. Yet,
they will not waste their time doing nothing or merely having fun since games will make them engaged and participate more to the teaching and learning activity.
Studying with games or board games in this case, might be more exciting since it also requires
students’ competitiveness. They will be less anxious or shy and will participate more to the teaching and learning activity.
c. Classifications of Games
