As a class, we always look for the best way to learn. We have found that for us, we learn best through games.
Here are a few games you could play with your students/friends.
1) KANJI KLASH
2 + players
All players must have a whiteboard. Person one writes a kanji on a whiteboard in which person two must write the furigana in order to get it correct. This game tests your ability to read Kanji which is vital for exams! If playing with more than 2 players, you can have a mini competition where the person with the most right furigana for Kanji wins!
2) SNAP
3 + players
In order to play this game, you must have karuta cards. An easy substitute would be a printed out copy of the hiragana/katakana alphabet cut into little cards with a character on each. (Look at the image above)
This consists of a chosen person saying aloud either one hiragana/katakana. As soon as this letter is called, the remaining players must find the correct character. The first person to touch the card is to keep the card until the end of the game.
The person with the most cards wins.
3) SHIRITORI "Taking the end"
2 + players
This is a Japanese Game, which puts your vocab to the ultimate test! The game starts of with person one saying a random word (for example (うし). Whoever is next, must use the final character of the previous word to make a new word (しろ) . This game can go on forever and still be as fun as the beginning as many random (yet hilarious) words will be said. Each person has up to 5 seconds to come with a word. Also, be careful! A word ending in nn (ん) results in straight elimination!
4) CHARADES
3 + players
In this game, person one writes a sentence on a whiteboard in which only person two is able to see. Person three must have their back facing the board so that they cannot see the sentence. The sentence will only be displaced for 10 seconds. In this time frame, person two has to memorise and think about how they will act it out. Person two should keep acting until person three has figured out the right answer. If played with more than one pair, the pair that gets the answer first must keep it a secret until the other pair(s) has figured out the answer too.
5) PAIRS
1 + players
This is a really easy game to follow and helps you learn more key phrases and words than you think! The game consists of matching a Japanese words or phrase with its English equivalent. I definitely recommend it for a quick recap of vocabulary. If playing with more than one person, the person with the most cards wins! Gambatte!
6) KATAKANA JUMP
2 + players
A really unique game created by Susan Jaine (Education consultant) This takes the basics from the game 'Snakes and Ladders' but with a Katakana twist! Players must roll the die and move according to the outcome. If they land on a picture, they must 'jump' to the katakana letter that the picture begins with (see image above). The first player to the finish line wins!
Here are a few games you could play with your students/friends.
1) KANJI KLASH
2 + players
All players must have a whiteboard. Person one writes a kanji on a whiteboard in which person two must write the furigana in order to get it correct. This game tests your ability to read Kanji which is vital for exams! If playing with more than 2 players, you can have a mini competition where the person with the most right furigana for Kanji wins!
2) SNAP
3 + players
In order to play this game, you must have karuta cards. An easy substitute would be a printed out copy of the hiragana/katakana alphabet cut into little cards with a character on each. (Look at the image above)
This consists of a chosen person saying aloud either one hiragana/katakana. As soon as this letter is called, the remaining players must find the correct character. The first person to touch the card is to keep the card until the end of the game.
The person with the most cards wins.
3) SHIRITORI "Taking the end"
2 + players
This is a Japanese Game, which puts your vocab to the ultimate test! The game starts of with person one saying a random word (for example (うし). Whoever is next, must use the final character of the previous word to make a new word (しろ) . This game can go on forever and still be as fun as the beginning as many random (yet hilarious) words will be said. Each person has up to 5 seconds to come with a word. Also, be careful! A word ending in nn (ん) results in straight elimination!
4) CHARADES
3 + players
In this game, person one writes a sentence on a whiteboard in which only person two is able to see. Person three must have their back facing the board so that they cannot see the sentence. The sentence will only be displaced for 10 seconds. In this time frame, person two has to memorise and think about how they will act it out. Person two should keep acting until person three has figured out the right answer. If played with more than one pair, the pair that gets the answer first must keep it a secret until the other pair(s) has figured out the answer too.
5) PAIRS
1 + players
This is a really easy game to follow and helps you learn more key phrases and words than you think! The game consists of matching a Japanese words or phrase with its English equivalent. I definitely recommend it for a quick recap of vocabulary. If playing with more than one person, the person with the most cards wins! Gambatte!
6) KATAKANA JUMP
2 + players
A really unique game created by Susan Jaine (Education consultant) This takes the basics from the game 'Snakes and Ladders' but with a Katakana twist! Players must roll the die and move according to the outcome. If they land on a picture, they must 'jump' to the katakana letter that the picture begins with (see image above). The first player to the finish line wins!