For many students of English, preposition is an easy material to learn. So easy is it, that they think they don't need any explanation from the teacher. What they need to do is just to open the dictionary, look up the meanings, and memorize them. This view is true for many, but not all, students. Some students, no matter how little their number is, still need teacher's explanation and instruction. Some students even depend on teacher's explanation very greatly. Without teacher's instruction, or perhaps, demonstration, they just can't understand thoroughly about the material.

Related to that fact, we, teachers of English should view the material and the students in clear perspective. Eliminating the material from our English teaching and learning plan will be unfair for the later group, those who need teachers' instruction. Meanwhile, teaching the material, preposition, in a conventional way will make the first group feel bored. The solution for this is for teachers to keep teaching the material while at the same time make those the first group feel involved. And to achieve this purpose, using game to teach preposition is the wisest choice. But, what kind of game I can use to teach preposition? That's the question which may echo in your head. Well, if you are looking such game, then I hope the following game, "do what your teacher says" game is applicable in your class.

Game Properties
Well before I explain how to play the game, let's us first enlist and learn about properties of this game. By the phrase, I mean any learning aspects which the game has and anything required to play the game. This includes objective of the game, language focus of the game and materials needed. To speak shortly, the game is intended to practice English prepositions. The language focus of the game is simple one or two words preposition especially prepositions of location including in, at, on, under, above, below, next to, behind, in front of, beside, etc. Meanwhile, the materials needed in the game are students' learning instrument such as book, ruler, pen, bag, pencil, eraser, drawing book, calculator, etc.

How To Play The Game

For the sake of clarity, I'll break down the game to steps:

Step 1
The teacher prepare the students for the game. S/he should have told them to bring materials needed. Students should understand what they should bring.

Step 2
In this step, the teacher explains about preposition. The explanation should be made as short as possible. However, s/he should make sure that the students understand the function and meaning of prepositions.

Step 3
Assume all students bring all materials needed in the game and they have understood the meaning and function of each preposition. In this step, the teacher tells the students about what they are going to do, namely playing preposition game. S/he also explains the properties of the game.

Step 4
The teacher begins to explain the rule of the game. The students should understand, with teacher's explanation, that they will have to practice teacher's direction. When the teacher says "Put your pen UNDER the book!" for example, they should move their pen and place it under the book. All students in the class should do it together. There is a time limit. Students who could not do the direction in the specified time, then they are out of the game. If they mistakenly practice what teacher says, they are out. The winner is the student who could practice all teacher's direction up to the end.

p.s.: The teacher should prepare as many directions as possible. Over time, the direction should be made more complicated and involve more prepositions. To discriminate the level of students' attention, it is recommended that the teacher use variation of voice speed.

Well, that's a game which can be used to teach preposition. For more games and articles about English teaching and learning, feel free to visit my blog at http://www.english-teaching-learning-resources.blogspot.com

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