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ESL Games: Proverbial Wisdom | TESOL Blog

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ESL Games: Proverbial Wisdom

Posted on 3 March 2014 by Marc Anderson

The Game: The object of Proverbial Wisdom is to introduce students to

wellknown sayings that either refer to common knowledge or give
advice. Proverbs contain truth and can be applied to events and activities
in our daily lives. The goal of the game is to guess the proverb that is
represented in the students drawing.
Research Says: This game gives students a chance to learn, practice,
and review specific language material (How to Choose Games, Tyson,
2000).
What You Need
Large construction paper or poster board and colored markers or crayons
for each student. Print a different proverb on the back of each paper. The
students are to draw a picture on the front side of the paper without
showing the proverb to anyone. Conference with each student
individually as to the meaning of the proverb or play this game as a
followup to a unit already studied on proverbs.
After the students complete the drawings, they write the first word of the
proverb under the picture, then skip the next word and draw dash marks
to represent the number of letters in the word instead, write the third
word, then draw dash marks for the fourth word, etc. Doublecheck the
students work before proceeding.
What You Do
Students take turns presenting their proverb to the class. They show the
picture and read the words below indicating the spaces of the skipped
words. The class members guess the proverb. The student who drew the
picture uses the proverb in a sentence. Then this student calls on
someone else to take a turn. The game continues until every student has
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ESL Games: Proverbial Wisdom | TESOL Blog

had an opportunity to present a proverb.

How to Play

Show 12 proverb drawings with words and spaces here

Proverb

Eyes like an eagle

Meaning

Good eyesight

Proverb

Slow as a turtle

Meaning

Very slow
______________________

Read Marcs other ESL Games posts. Marcs previous blogs with
TESOL as a guest blogger include the highly popular Best Language
Learning Games series.
About Marc Anderson
Marc Anderson is the CEO of online English training company TalktoCanada.com that
teaches English online to students around the world. During his free time he likes to
read, travel and enjoy life.

View all posts by Marc Anderson

This entry was posted in TESOL Blog and tagged adult ESL activity, classroom games, ESL games, evergreen, language games, marc
anderson, teaching proverbs. Bookmark the permalink.

2 Responses to ESL Games: Proverbial Wisdom

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ESL Games: Proverbial Wisdom | TESOL Blog

Marc Anderson says:

6 March 2014 at 11:51 pm
Hello Sonia,

It wasnt written with a specific student age in mind so youre good

using this activity with any type of student. I know adults can learn
and be just as involved as kids when more creative teaching is used.
Reply

soniaverma says:
3 March 2014 at 10:48 pm
Hi Marc!

Thanks for your ESL Games: Proverbial Wisdom. I really liked the
posted activity of introducing Proverbs to our students. It is quite
innovative technique. Moreover, it increases the creative level of
students. I would appreciate if you could specify the age group of
the students who can make most out of this activity. Thanks!

Sonia
Reply

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