Methods of teaching English

Nurzhanova Zh.Zh., Kurmanbayeva A.B

(L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan)

Using games in a way of formation of communicative competence

   The world is developing on the internationalization path. Knowledge of foreign languages today, not only cultural, but also an economic necessity. The changes taking place in our society: the expansion of contacts, greater access to the foreign arena entailed increasing practical interest in foreign languages, especially English language. Currently, knowledge of foreign languages - is not only a sign of cultural development, but also a condition of its success in various spheres of life. It is no coincidence one of the goals set before the concept of modernization of education of modern school, is the formation of the communicative competence of students.
    Analysis of educational activity of schoolboys, the peculiarities of their communication with each other, with the teacher, with real native speakers indicates that students are not well developed communication skills, the ability to use language material mastered in the situation of communication.

  From our point of view, one of the most effective tools for the development of communication skills is a game. Because it has such a feature as versatility: the use of gaming techniques can be adapted to different goals and objectives. Game techniques perform a variety of functions in the process of child development, facilitate the learning process, helping to assimilate increasing every year material and unobtrusively develop the necessary competence.

The theoretical basis for the development of technology has made the communicative teaching foreign culture created by EI Passov. His work reveals the principles of the content of foreign language lessons. The author identifies seven principles: speech situational orientation, functionality, situational, novelty, personal orientation, collective interaction, modeling.

 Kazakh psychologist Kunanbayeva also noted the importance of games in teaching foreign languages. Teaching language and grammar of a foreign language using the game raises the interest of students and gives good results in the development of language.

Many methodologists offer to create a situation or take it from life experience. Children like to solve various problem issues where they can express their personal opinion. The role of the teacher guide and support them.

  There are some stages of the games at the lessons. It depends on their mental and psychological development. Teacher should correctly choose games according their interest and age.

So, at the first stage of education (grades 5-6), the main type of games will be the objective (linguistic) game that is meant by a phonetic, lexical and grammatical games. This is because in this age of the students is just beginning to take shape and the base language skills they own, is not enough to conduct role-playing, story games. It is advisable to use dramatization and simulation games, - the competition. This block includes the types of gaming activities aimed at the formation of linguistic sides of communicative competence, creation of vocabulary on topics under the program, the mastery of grammatical structures and pronunciation skills, phrases - clichés used in various communication situations.

In the next step (7-8 grade), when students reached the elementary level of communicative competence, game activity is complicated.

In addition to linguistic and simulation games, role-playing applied towards the socialization of students. Their content is the relationship between people. They are aimed mainly at mastering foreign language communication at the level of information and regulatory functions. Games are also selected in accordance with the program themes.

At this age, you can use their favorite stories from books and  passages of movies. You can also give them the opportunity to be creative. Give themselves  the task to come up with the statement or sketch, a story in a new way.

Beginning in 9th grade and then in senior management, especially if the level of language proficiency of students is quite high, it is advisable to use the plot - role-playing and simulation games, it is more difficult types of gaming activities, they require a thorough preparation on the part of the teacher, and by the students.

Using the method of projects at the preparatory stage of the game is an additional means of communication skills. We have developed some lessons integrating gaming technology and project method. These games help to master the communication at the level of value - orientation function.

At this age, children are prone to romance. While teaching English children should   learn culture. The teacher can make the play of Romeo and Juliet and other famous novels in competitive way.

Such a system makes possible to use of gaming activities at teaching English. It can be recommended for the use of foreign language teachers in the classroom, extracurricular activities, electives and group lessons, language clubs.

The use of games offered in our system, has a positive influence on the development of communicative abilities of students, mastery of foreign language communication in the unity of all its functions: informational, regulatory, value - orientation and etiquette. Students develop compensatory skills, the ability to get out of the situation with a shortage of foreign language linguistic resources. Children learn to work in a team, to find approaches to other people. In addition, the game provides you with the lesson, a favorable emotional background, which leads to the removal of language barriers, promotes educational motivation, increases interest in the subject.

1 Passov E.I “Theoretical foundation of teaching foreign language speaking” (1985,1991) p. 37

2 Foreign languages at school. Magazine #6 2015 p.90

3 Galskova N.D. “Theory and practice for teaching foreign language” M.,2004 p.114

4 Kunanbayeva S.S “The modernization of foreign language education” – The importance of communication – Almaty p.243

5 Innovative technologies at school Magazine #2 2016 p.16