Match It!

Introduction

Match It! is a collection of index card games for learners of English

It is based on the game "Matched Pairs" from Pro Lingua Associates' Index

Card Games for ESL. "Matched Pairs" is, in turn, based on the popular game Concentration.

There are two basic purposes for this collection: to explore and develop proficiency with English vocabulary and to stimulate conversation.

The obvious purpose of vocabulary development is to help students with the meaning of English words. However, these games focus on more than the meaning of the words. They focus on usage, especially collocations – words that co-occur in the larger context of phrases and sentences. In addition to helping students learn the words and their collocates, several of the games also work on pronunciation, and a few focus on aspects of grammar such as subject- verb agreement and irregular past tense inflections.

The second basic purpose of these games, stimulating conversation, is achieved as the students attempt to find the matches. They talk as the game is played, and when the game is over, they continue to talk about the game and the words in it. Because the games are fun, the conversation naturally keeps going.

The games and the cards they use are very simple, and so they are suitable for learners of virtually all ages, with the possible exception of very young children. They are also appropriate for real beginners, with the exception of learners who are pre-literate. However, even these two groups can enjoy some of the very basic games in Part 1.

The games offer a wide range of challenges, from easy to difficult. In general, beginners will do better with the first three or four parts, while advanced learners will find more challenge with the last three parts.