- Oct 3, 2023

10 Teacher Tips: A Language Learning Game in Your Classroom

Krista Jokinen, Head of Fun and Teacher Training at Finest Future, specializes in working with international students learning Finnish as a foreign language, enabling them to study in Finnish high schools and eventually become Finnish citizens.

Given that Finest Future's students utilize the language learning game Earthlingo both in Finland and even before their arrival, we sought Krista's insights to help teachers make the most of the game. The goal is to inspire students and streamline vocabulary learning, freeing up more time for other enjoyable activities!

Inquiring about Krista's approach to incorporating the game into her teaching strategy, we eagerly awaited her response. She replied with practical insight: "Earthlingo makes learning feel like a playground, where each word is a new swing to hop on," and provided this collection of valuable tips for fellow educators looking to integrate this engaging Fun Learning game into their own teaching toolkit.

Krista’s 10 Tips for Her Teacher Colleagues

#1 Incorporate Into Lesson Plans

Begin by integrating Earthlingo into your lesson plans. It can become a valuable component of vocabulary or grammar lessons, allowing students to reinforce their learning by playing the game. You can guide them to the House level for exploring colors and furniture or to the Coffee Shop minigame to unravel the mysteries of the partitive.

#2 Foster Competitive Learning

Create a competitive atmosphere by establishing leaderboards or organizing in-class tournaments. This can motivate students to practice more and aim to outperform their peers. Who can learn the most words or take on the most robots in 30 minutes?

#3 Set Clear Objectives

Provide students with well-defined objectives for each session. For instance, you can challenge them to learn 10 new words using the game.

#4 Encourage Group Play

Allow students to play in pairs or small groups. This promotes collaboration, as they can assist and correct each other. Which group will be the first to master 10 new words?

#5 Review and Reflect

After gameplay, allocate some time for review. Encourage students to discuss what they've learned, what they found challenging, and the strategies they employed.

#6 Incorporate Into Homework

Assign Earthlingo as homework. Request that students spend a specific amount of time on the game or reach a particular level.

#7 Tailor the Content

If feasible, select Earthlingo levels or sections that align with your recent teachings. This ensures that the game complements your curriculum. Just covered numbers one through ten? Head to the House Level and reinforce this knowledge with your students!

#8 Collect Feedback Regularly

Consistently gather feedback from students regarding their Earthlingo experience. Understanding their preferences and identifying challenges can help you adapt your teaching approach effectively.

#9 Extend Learning Beyond the Game

Encourage students to construct sentences or short stories using the vocabulary they've acquired from the game. You can even recreate the mini-games within the classroom environment. This approach ensures that students aren't merely absorbing information passively but are actively applying it.

#10 Stay Informed

Earthlingo, like many educational apps and platforms, frequently receives updates and additional content. Staying informed about these changes allows you to maximize the platform's potential, providing your students with the latest and most engaging learning experiences.

"This is just the beginning of our exploration on this topic," Krista assures us. "In the near future, I'll delve a bit deeper into a specific theme." So, stay tuned for more expert tips from Krista, who has a genuine passion for guiding her students in learning Finnish across different countries as they prepare for their studies in Finland. Games of various sorts play a role in her adaptation of the Fun Learning approach.